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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 prominent Asian skincare brands that offer serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks designed to address various complexions. The former utilizes hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to best suit oily and acne-prone skin, while the latter employs signature pitera formulations to nourish dry and dry sensitive skin. By pairing targeted components with distinct ingredient actions, these lines differ in their primary formulation approaches and ideal skin matches.

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 SK-II routine · S$606.78 · 93% fitBuy COSRX routine · S$41.07 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · S$130.21 · 90% fitBuy SK-II routine · S$820.58 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy SK-II routine · S$716.48 · 89% fitBuy COSRX routine · S$130.21 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or SK-II: which is better?

COSRX is better for oily and acne-prone skin, where Lovi rates its routines as Superior, whereas SK-II fits dry and dry sensitive skin better with Superior routines. COSRX also does better on deep hydration, gentle formulas, and acne and oil control, while SK-II leads in radiance and glow enhancement.

What is the difference between COSRX and SK-II?

COSRX tends to excel in acne and oil control while offering extensive hydration options, whereas SK-II focuses largely on signature essences like Pitera for radiance and glow. Lovi rates COSRX as superior for acne-prone, oily, and oily acne-prone skin, while SK-II holds superior fit levels for dry and dry sensitive skin routines. Both brands provide fragrance-free formulas across nearly all of their products on this page.

COSRX or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, SK-II is the better fit, with a Lovi fit level of Superior compared to COSRX at High. SK-II's brand-focused routine is specifically tailored for dry skin, whereas COSRX is designed best for oily and acne-prone skin types.

COSRX or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX is better for deep hydration and moisturization, offering moisturizers like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence which achieves a Superior fit level for dry and sensitive skin, while SK-II features options like the Facial Treatment Essence with a High fit level for dry skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or SK-II?

COSRX is more affordable than SK-II, as review themes note an exorbitant and high price point specifically for COSRX.

COSRX or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX fits better than SK-II because Lovi rates the routine fit as Superior for COSRX and High for SK-II.

COSRX or SK-II for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and SK-II are a High fit for sensitive skin according to Lovi. Review themes show that COSRX does better when it comes to offering a gentle and non-stripping formula.

COSRX or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, whereas SK-II offers a High fit level.

COSRX or SK-II for dry sensitive skin?

For dry sensitive skin, SK-II is the better choice because Lovi rates its overall routine fit as Superior compared to High for COSRX. SK-II provides targeted formulations that cater well to dry and sensitive complexions.

COSRX or SK-II for mature skin?

For mature skin, COSRX and SK-II both achieve a High routine fit on Lovi. COSRX offers products on this page featuring ingredients like niacinamide and retinol, which help improve skin texture and manage signs of aging.

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or SK-II for skin with dark spots?

Both COSRX and SK-II products on this page achieve a High fit for skin with dark spots. COSRX helps target pigmentation with key ingredients like niacinamide, while SK-II features its signature Pitera across its formulations.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

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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