COSRX vs CeraVe
COSRX and CeraVe are two widely recognized skincare brands offering a dependable array of cleansers, moisturizers, and serums. COSRX is beloved for its formulations featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide that suit oily acne-prone skin and oily skin best, whereas CeraVe is loved for its daily formulas enriched with hyaluronic acid and glycerin that suit mature skin and dry skin best. While both utilize key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to improve hydration and barrier function, the Korean brand is distinguished by its targeted components for acne-prone skin, dark spots, and mature skin, contrasting with the American brand's focus on moisture retention and barrier health through products like its foaming facial cleanser and night cream.
COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024.
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CeraVe is an American skincare brand founded in 2005 and owned by L'Oréal since 2017.
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This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and CeraVe products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular COSRX vs CeraVe products
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Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
S$19.05
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Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
S$14.38
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The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum
S$23.31
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BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
S$17.75
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The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum
S$21.00
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Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream
S$19.75
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AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
S$16.86
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The Retinol 0.1 Cream
S$17.13
People Say
Deep hydration and moisturization Mostly MentionedMostly 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”
- “Saved my dry winter skin — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “woke up with plump skin — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
Lightweight and fast-absorbing Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
- “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
- “absorbs practically immediately — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
- “Absorbs into skin without residue — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
Gentle and non-stripping cleansing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
- “doesn't strip my skin — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
- “doesn't leave face tight — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “no burning sensation — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
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 like glass — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
- “difference in my skin's texture is noticeable — CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser”
Acne control and clearing pores Often MentionedSometimes 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”
- “lightened dark spots — CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum”
Price and value for money Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “reasonably priced — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “Huge tub lasts forever — CeraVe Moisturising Cream”
- “Great everyday moisturizer — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
- “huge bottle — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
Packaging and size issues Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
- “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
- “no safety seal included — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “jar is tiny — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
- “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
- “face feels stripped — CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser”
- “Not moisturizing enough for winter — CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion”
Unpleasant texture or sticky finish Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
- “feels like washing with conditioner — CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser”
- “too sticky — CeraVe Healing Ointment”
- “hard to spread — CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream”
- “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
COSRX vs CeraVe routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$18.49
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning
S$41.07
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Moisturizer
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$19.05
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SPF
Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
Morning
S$12.91
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Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$20.28
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Serum or Treatment
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
Evening · Once a week
S$19.46
-
Nourishing Mask
Advanced Snail Mucin Power Sheet Mask
Once a week
S$30.82
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Cleanser
Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.06
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Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
Skin Renewing Night Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.05
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
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Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
S$35.46
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Collagen Essential Mask
Once a week
S$62.94
Buy COSRX routine · S$41.07 · 89% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · S$195.54 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
COSRX vs CeraVe routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$14.17
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$41.07
-
Moisturizer
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$20.88
-
SPF
Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen
Morning
S$12.84
-
Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$20.28
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$16.86
-
Serum or Treatment
Two In One Poreless Power Liquid
Evening · Once a week
S$19.75
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.30
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment
Evening · Once a week
S$35.46
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy COSRX routine · S$130.21 · 90% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · S$238.51 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
COSRX vs CeraVe routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$18.49
-
Hydrating Toner
Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$41.07
-
Moisturizer
Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$20.88
-
SPF
Aloe Soothing Sun Cream
Morning
S$12.91
-
Pre-Cleanser
The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$20.28
-
Cleansing Toner
AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Evening · Once a week
S$16.86
-
Serum or Treatment
Two In One Poreless Power Liquid
Evening · Once a week
S$19.75
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
-
Cleanser
Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$30.40
-
Hydrating Toner
Hydrating Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$18.47
-
Moisturizer
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$31.02
-
SPF
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
Morning
S$28.56
-
Pre-Cleanser
Micellar Cleansing Water
Evening · Once a week
S$30.72
-
Cleansing Toner
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Serum or Treatment
Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Evening · Once a week
S$28.62
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
S$89.14
Buy COSRX routine · S$130.21 · 88% fit
Buy CeraVe routine · S$262.69 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
COSRX or CeraVe: which is better?
Both COSRX and CeraVe offer great options, but COSRX is better for oily and acne-prone skin while CeraVe is better for mature skin. For dry skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, dark spots, and dry sensitive skin, Lovi fit levels for the products on this page are equal.
What is the difference between COSRX and CeraVe?
COSRX is a South Korean brand focused on lightweight formulas with a routine fit level of Superior for oily and acne-prone skin, whereas CeraVe is a US-based brand known for barrier-repairing ceramides with a routine fit level of Superior for mature skin.
COSRX or CeraVe for dry skin?
Both COSRX and CeraVe have a High routine fit level for dry skin. Reviewers find that both brands are equal in providing deep hydration and moisturization and in having no issues with dryness.
COSRX or CeraVe: which cleanser is better?
Both COSRX and CeraVe offer cleansers with a high fit for various skin types, but neither brand is universally better than the other since suitability depends on individual skin needs. Reviewers find that both brands provide gentle and non-stripping cleansers, with CeraVe also noted for effective cleansers for acne and oil.
Which is more affordable, COSRX or CeraVe?
CeraVe is more affordable, offering better price and value for money compared to COSRX according to the reviewer themes on this page.
Between COSRX and CeraVe, which brand has better options for mature skin?
CeraVe has better options for mature skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to the High fit level for COSRX on this page. CeraVe offers specialized products like Skin Renewing Night Cream which help nourish mature skin.
How do COSRX and CeraVe compare regarding fragrance in their products?
COSRX offers 37 out of 38 products on the page that list no fragrance, with only the Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ containing fragrance. In comparison, every single product on the CeraVe page lists no fragrance.
Which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin?
COSRX performs better for oily acne-prone skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to CeraVe which has a High fit level.
COSRX or CeraVe for oily skin?
COSRX achieves a Superior fit level for oily skin, whereas CeraVe achieves a High fit level. Reviewers find that COSRX does better for lightweight and fast-absorbing products.
COSRX or CeraVe: which moisturizer is better?
Both COSRX and CeraVe offer moisturizers on this page that achieve High or Superior fit levels for various skin types, with COSRX leaning toward lightweight hydration and CeraVe excelling in value and barrier repair lipids. Reviewers find that COSRX provides lightweight and fast-absorbing formulas, while CeraVe is noted for offering non-greasy moisturizers and better value for money.
COSRX or CeraVe for sensitive skin?
Both COSRX and CeraVe achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin. Reviewers note that both brands offer gentle and non-stripping cleansing options.
COSRX or CeraVe: which sunscreen is better?
Both COSRX and CeraVe offer sunscreens with High Lovi fit levels for most skin types on the products on this page, but COSRX is noted for being lightweight and fast-absorbing.
COSRX or CeraVe for acne-prone skin?
For acne-prone skin, COSRX has a Superior routine fit compared to CeraVe which has a High fit. Reviewers note that COSRX does better for acne control and clearing pores.
Research behind their key ingredients
Bifidobacterium longum lysate, a new ingredient for reactive skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
Phyllanthus emblica L. (amla) branch: A safe and effective ingredient against skin aging
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Safety of a preservative system containing 1,2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol
Functional properties and skin care effects of sodium trehalose sulfate
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Skin moisturization by hydrogenated polyisobutene--quantitative and visual evaluation
Effects of an ultraviolet B radiation absorber on photocarcinogenesis in hairless albino mice
Retrospective Review of Dermal Safety Studies of Organic Sunscreens
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-

Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-

Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-

Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-

Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-

Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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