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COSRX vs SK-II

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

COSRX and SK-II are beloved Asian skincare brands offering nourishing moisturizers, targeted serums, restorative masks, and clarifying toners. The Korean brand is known for thoughtfully formulated products harnessing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, which suit acne-prone and oily acne-prone skin best. Meanwhile, the Japanese brand is cherished for gentle formulations powered by pitera, making it ideally suited for dry sensitive and combination skin. While both lines address specific concerns effectively, they differ in their foundational ingredients and the distinct skin types they serve most deeply.

COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and SK-II products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs SK-II products

People Say

COSRXSK-II
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “woke up with soft, supple skin — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “skin feels softer immediately — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Radiance and glow enhancement Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Effective acne and oil control Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “helped to improve my acne after only 2 weeks — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “cleared up my spots — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Exorbitant and high price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • No visible or slow results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “didn't do anything — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

COSRX vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 690.19 · 83% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 2,157.75 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · SAR 843.29 · 90% fitBuy SK-II routine · SAR 1,935.93 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · SAR 2,044.94 · 90% fitBuy COSRX routine · SAR 735.92 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or SK-II: which is better?

COSRX is better for oily, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin because Lovi rates its routines as Superior compared to SK-II's High. Both brands provide an equal routine fit for dry, acne-prone, mature skin, and skin with dark spots, while SK-II is better for combination skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and SK-II?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 that helps with acne and oil control, whereas SK-II is a Japanese brand founded in 1980 that focuses on radiance and glow enhancement. Lovi rates COSRX as having a Superior fit for oily skin and sensitive skin, while SK-II achieves a Superior fit for combination skin and dry sensitive skin.

COSRX or SK-II for dry skin?

Both COSRX and SK-II achieve a High routine fit for dry skin on this page, making them equally suitable options. Reviewers note that COSRX provides better deep hydration and moisturization, whereas SK-II offers a strong focus on its signature Pitera ingredient.

COSRX or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and SK-II feature well-liked moisturizers on this page, with COSRX offering options like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence that help with deep hydration, while SK-II features the Facial Treatment Essence. Reviewers note that COSRX does better for deep hydration and moisturization.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or SK-II?

COSRX is more affordable, as SK-II comes with an exorbitant and high price point.

Between COSRX and SK-II, which brand performs better for dry sensitive skin?

Between COSRX and SK-II, SK-II performs better for dry sensitive skin, with Lovi rating its routine fit as Superior compared to COSRX's High fit level.

How do the key ingredients of COSRX and SK-II differ across their product lines?

COSRX products on this page use a diverse mix of key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide, allantoin, panthenol, snail mucin, butylene glycol, and centella asiatica. In contrast, SK-II products on this page rely entirely on Pitera as their signature key ingredient.

Which brand has a better routine fit for combination skin, COSRX or SK-II?

SK-II has a better routine fit for combination skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior compared to High for COSRX.

COSRX or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi rates COSRX as having a Superior routine fit compared to SK-II, which has a High routine fit. The products on this page help with oil control and feature lightweight absorption.

COSRX or SK-II for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, Lovi rates COSRX as Superior and SK-II as High. Reviewers find that COSRX offers a gentle and non-stripping formula.

COSRX or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and SK-II achieve a Superior Lovi routine fit for acne-prone skin, with COSRX offering multiple products specifically tailored for oily acne-prone and acne-prone skin types. Reviewers note that COSRX provides effective acne control and clearing.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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