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COSRX vs Elemis

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

COSRX and Elemis are two distinct skincare lines, with the Korean brand founded in 2013 and the British brand established in 1989. The former is beloved for its thoughtful array of serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, all formulated with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily acne-prone skin and oily skin best. Conversely, enthusiasts love the latter for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and more, all enriched with nourishing ingredients like glycerin and shea to suit dry, balanced, and sensitive skin best. While both utilize glycerin to significantly increase skin hydration and improve barrier function, they differ through targeted components that address contrasting complexions and specific concerns.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

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

Popular COSRX vs Elemis products

People Say

COSRXElemis
  • 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”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “cloud-light gel formula — Elemis Pro-Collagen Eye Revive Mask”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Soothing and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “perfect for first-time retinol users — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Texture and glow improvements 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”
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Acne and pore 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”
    • “face feels super clean — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
  • Spa-like and pleasant scents Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like a spa — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “smells like a holiday — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “smells like a tropical cocktail — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Value and price concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Unpleasant scents Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like tea tree/medicinal — COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)”
    • “The smell is very strong... could not handle for long. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “jar looks half empty — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
    • “tube feels half empty — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “pump broke quickly — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Elemis moisturizers

COSRX vs Elemis serums and treatments

Questions and answers

COSRX or Elemis: which is better?

COSRX is better for soothing, gentle formulations and acne control, whereas Elemis offers lighter absorption and luxurious spa-like scents. Elemis also comes at a much higher price point, while COSRX is generally considered a better value.

What is the difference between COSRX and Elemis?

COSRX is best suited for oily and acne-prone skin with its gentle, fragrance-free formulas, whereas Elemis focuses on luxury anti-aging and moisturizing products that frequently feature added fragrance. COSRX products on this page often help control acne and improve skin texture, while Elemis is primarily known for its hydrating moisturizers and spa-like scents.

COSRX or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne and pore control, offering cleansers like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser with Superior fit levels for acne-prone skin. Elemis also features options like the Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash, though COSRX is noted for being more gentle and soothing.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Elemis?

Elemis has high price point concerns, making COSRX the more affordable brand on these pages.

Which causes fewer breakouts, COSRX or Elemis?

COSRX is better for acne and pore control according to the products on this page, making it the choice that helps cause fewer breakouts. Reviewers note that COSRX provides effective acne control and clearing, whereas Elemis does not feature this benefit in its brand routines.

COSRX or Elemis: which brand has more fragrance-free products?

COSRX has significantly more fragrance-free options, with 37 of its 38 products on this page listing no fragrance. In contrast, Elemis has only 4 fragrance-free products out of its 22 on this page.

COSRX or Elemis: which brand has been established longer?

Elemis has been established longer, having been founded in the United Kingdom in 1989 compared to COSRX, which was founded in South Korea in 2013.

COSRX or Elemis: which brand is better for acne and pore control according to review themes?

For acne and pore control, COSRX is the better-performing brand on this page. Review themes show that COSRX excels in acne and pore control compared to Elemis.

COSRX or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX offers a range of moisturizers with High to Superior Lovi fit levels across most skin types, featuring key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. Elemis moisturizers also provide strong hydration and are well-regarded for their luxurious textures and lightweight absorption.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022

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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