Medicube vs COSRX
Medicube and COSRX are two popular Korean skincare brands that offer thoughtful arrays of moisturizers, serums, toners, and masks. The former harnesses key ingredients like niacinamide, collagen, and hyaluronic acid to best suit dry skin and oily acne-prone skin, while the latter relies on hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit oily acne-prone skin and oily skin. Both labels deliver profound results for targeted concerns, though the brand founded in 2016 tends to balance hydration and clarity through specialised items like the AGE-R Booster Gel and Deep Peptide Radiance Mask, whereas the 2013-established brand focuses on components like snail mucin and propolis in items such as the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser and Full Fit Propolis Synergy Toner.
Medicube is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2016 and owned by APR Corp..
medicubereviews.co.ukglossy.co
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 Medicube and COSRX products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Medicube vs COSRX 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
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “skin feels bouncier and hydrated — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “glass skin — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “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”
Soothing and Gentle Formulas Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “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”
- “refreshing sensation — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
Skin Texture and Smoothing 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”
- “gives my skin a smooth, glass-like finish — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
Lightweight and Fast Absorbing Rarely NotedMostly 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)”
- “dries super fast — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
Glow and Brightening Often MentionedNot noted
- “gave me instant glass skin — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “woke up with glowing skin — Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask”
- “Dark spots go away faster — Medicube Deep Vita C Pad”
Pore Appearance and Oil Control Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
- “Melted blackheads right off — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
- “helps with whiteheads — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
- “whisking away that excess shine — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
- “noticed a real difference in pore visibility — Medicube Zero Pore Pad”
Sticky and Heavy Residue Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
- “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
- “feels slightly sticky — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
- “hair sticks to my face — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
General Product Inadequacy Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
- “lifted around the nose/eyes — Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask”
- “didn't remove deep blackheads — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “hard to wash off completely — Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask”
- “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
Strong Fragrance and Scents Often MentionedSometimes Noted
- “slightly fishy smell — Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum”
- “smells like old lady perfume — Medicube Collagen Jelly Cream”
- “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
- “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
Medicube vs COSRX routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
Zero Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$25.74
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning
S$41.00
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.12
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SPF
thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
Morning
S$21.09
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
S$39.68
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Serum or Treatment
One Day Exosome Shot 2000
Evening · Once a week
S$30.69
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Nourishing Mask
Deep Peptide Radiance Mask
Once a week
S$3.85
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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
-
Moisturizer
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$19.05
-
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
-
Serum or Treatment
Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence
Evening · Once a week
S$19.46
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Nourishing Mask
Advanced Snail Mucin Power Sheet Mask
Once a week
S$30.82
Buy Medicube routine · S$127.51 · 91% fit
Buy COSRX routine · S$41.07 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Medicube vs COSRX 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
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$47.21
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$41.00
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.12
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
S$25.68
Buy COSRX routine · S$130.21 · 90% fit
Buy Medicube routine · S$223.62 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Medicube vs COSRX routines for combination skin
-
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
Red Foam Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$47.21
-
Hydrating Toner
Triple Collagen Toner
Morning · Once a week
S$41.00
-
Moisturizer
AGE-R Booster Gel
Morning · Evening · Once a week
S$28.12
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
S$28.72
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
S$70.21
-
Cleansing Toner
Zero Pore Pad
Evening · Once a week
S$36.48
-
Cleansing Mask
Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
Once a week
S$25.68
Buy COSRX routine · S$130.21 · 88% fit
Buy Medicube routine · S$223.62 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Medicube or COSRX: which is better?
Both brands offer strong options, but COSRX is better for soothing formulas and acne control, while Medicube stands out for glow and brightening. COSRX has a superior routine fit for oily and acne-prone skin, whereas Medicube provides a superior routine fit for dry skin. Topical niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and melanosome transfer, and hyaluronic acid benefits skin quality and signs of aging.
What is the difference between Medicube and COSRX?
Medicube offers superior routine fit for dry skin, while COSRX offers superior fit for oily and acne-prone skin. COSRX also does better on soothing formulas, skin texture, and lightweight absorption, whereas Medicube does better on glow and brightening.
Medicube or COSRX for dry skin?
Medicube is a better fit for dry skin, offering a Superior routine compared to the High routine from COSRX on this page. Reviewers frequently mention that Medicube products help provide deep hydration and moisturizers. Hyaluronic acid is one of the key ingredients featured across the products on this page, and topical applications help improve skin quality and signs of aging.
Medicube or COSRX: which cleanser is better?
Both Medicube and COSRX offer effective cleansers, but reviewers note that COSRX formulas are generally more gentle and non-irritating. On this page, the products help cleanse while supporting various skin types, though individual results may vary.
Which is more affordable, Medicube or COSRX?
Both Medicube and COSRX are popular South Korean skincare brands, but reviewers on the products on this page frequently note small quantity and pricing issues for Medicube. COSRX products are generally considered more budget-friendly and offer larger standard sizes across their range.
Between Medicube and COSRX, which brand offers better results for soothing and gentle formulas?
Between Medicube and COSRX, COSRX does better for soothing and gentle formulas. The products on this page help provide gentle and non-irritating care that reviewers often mention.
How do the fragrance inclusions compare across Medicube and COSRX product lines?
Medicube includes fragrance in 2 of its 25 products on this page, while COSRX includes fragrance in only 1 of its 38 products on this page.
Which brand performs better specifically for skin glow and brightening according to reviewers?
Medicube performs better specifically for skin glow and brightening according to reviewers. The products on this page help deliver a radiant glow.
Medicube or COSRX for oily skin?
For oily skin, COSRX fits better with a Superior routine level compared to Medicube at High. Both brands use ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that help regulate hydration and improve skin texture.
Medicube or COSRX: which moisturizer is better?
Both Medicube and COSRX offer effective moisturizers, with Medicube standing out for deep hydration and glowing radiance, while COSRX is often noted for lightweight absorption and soothing gentle formulas. COSRX features top-tier options like the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, whereas Medicube provides powerhouse choices like the Collagen Jelly Cream and AGE-R Booster Gel. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide help both brands deliver strong moisturizing and anti-aging benefits.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Medicube or COSRX for sensitive skin?
Both Medicube and COSRX are a High fit for sensitive skin among the products on this page, and reviewers note that both brands help provide soothing and gentle formulas. Medicube features key ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce pigmentation, while COSRX uses ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which helps improve skin hydration.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015
Medicube or COSRX for acne-prone skin?
Both brands offer solid options for acne-prone skin, but COSRX is a Superior fit for these routines while Medicube is High. COSRX features targeted treatments with salicylic acid and snail mucin that help clear breakouts.
Research behind their key ingredients
Bifidobacterium longum lysate, a new ingredient for reactive skin
Topical palmitoyl pentapeptide provides improvement in photoaged human facial skin
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Effect of Camellia japonica oil on human type I procollagen production and skin barrier function
Reduction in the appearance of facial hyperpigmentation by topical N-acetyl glucosamine
Protective effects of Camellia japonica flower extract against urban air pollutants
Microneedling by dermapen and glycolic acid peel for the treatment of acne scars: Comparative study
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Phyllanthus emblica L. (amla) branch: A safe and effective ingredient against skin aging
The influence of alkane chain length on the skin irritation potential of 1,2-alkanediols
The synergistic effect of retinyl propionate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate on skin aging
In vivo and in vitro evaluation of octyl methoxycinnamate liposomes
Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Supramolecular collagen nanoparticles for anti-wrinkle, skin whitening, and moisturizing effects
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
Composition characterization and clinical efficacy study of a salmon egg extract
Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora
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
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
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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
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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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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