🇸🇬Singapore

COSRX vs Olay

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

COSRX and Olay are beloved skincare brands offering thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, serums, cleansers, and masks enriched with key ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide. While the Korean brand founded in 2013 suits oily and acne-prone skin best with targeted components such as hyaluronic acid, the latter suits sensitive and acne-prone skin with nourishing formulations. Both differ in their specific ingredient profiles and standout products, yet each effectively improves skin hydration and barrier function.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Olay products

People Say

COSRXOlay
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Skin texture and smoothness improvement Mostly MentionedMostly 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 baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Gentle, non-stripping, and non-irritating formula Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “doesn't strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Acne, blackhead, and oil control Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Radiance and brightening effects Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Packaging issues and sizing concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Slow, no, or ineffective results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “no visible difference — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Unpleasant texture and heavy residue Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

COSRX vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · S$41.07 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · S$248.06 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · S$130.21 · 90% fitBuy Olay routine · S$485.72 · 81% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · S$130.21 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · S$383.33 · 80% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Olay: which is better?

COSRX and Olay both offer high fit levels for most skin types, but COSRX is superior for oily and acne-prone skin while Olay excels in deep hydration and radiance. Reviewers note that COSRX provides a more gentle formula with effective acne control, whereas Olay delivers better lightweight absorption and intensive moisture.

What is the difference between COSRX and Olay?

COSRX and Olay both offer high fit levels for most skin types, but COSRX is superior for oily and acne-prone skin while Olay features products that perform well for hydration and brightening. Reviewers note that COSRX excels at gentle formulas and acne control, whereas Olay stands out for deep hydration and lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Olay for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Olay are a High fit for dry skin on the products on this page. COSRX helps with gentle, non-irritating hydration, while Olay helps provide intense hydration and improved texture.

COSRX or Olay: which cleanser is better?

COSRX is better for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin, while Olay offers options that fit dry and mature skin types.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Olay?

The products on this page do not include pricing information, so a comparison of affordability cannot be made between COSRX and Olay.

Between COSRX and Olay, which brand is better suited for managing acne and oil control?

COSRX is better suited for managing acne and oil control, as the products on this page achieve a Superior routine fit for oily acne-prone skin and acne-prone skin compared to Olay's High fit. COSRX also excels at effective acne control and clearing, alongside gentle and non-irritating formulas.

How do the founding years and corporate ownerships of COSRX and Olay compare?

COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013 and has been owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024, whereas Olay was founded in 1952 and has been owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1985.

Which brand performs better when it comes to gentle, non-irritating formulas versus intense hydration?

COSRX performs better for gentle, non-irritating formulas, while Olay performs better for deep hydration and moisturization. Lovi rates COSRX as High and Olay as High for sensitive skin, and both brands as High for dry skin.

COSRX or Olay for oily skin?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily skin, whereas Olay has a High fit. Reviewers note that COSRX provides better acne, blackhead, and oil control.

COSRX or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer moisturizers that provide high to superior fit levels across various skin types, with COSRX leaning toward oily and acne-prone skin and Olay performing strongly for mature and dry skin. For instance, the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence achieves a Superior fit for dry, sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin, while Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is rated Superior for mature skin and High for dry skin.

COSRX or Olay for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Olay achieve a High Lovi fit level for sensitive skin, making them strong options depending on your preference. COSRX features a formula that helps provide gentle and non-irritating care, whereas Olay focuses heavily on intense hydration.

COSRX or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer sunscreens with a High fit level for most skin types on this page. COSRX features options such as the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen and Aloe Soothing Sun Cream, while Olay provides options like the Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer SPF 25.

COSRX or Olay for acne-prone skin?

COSRX fits acne-prone skin better, achieving a Superior routine fit level compared to Olay's High level. The products on this page help provide 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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play