🇬🇧United Kingdom

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 skincare brands that offer serums, moisturizers, and cleansers. The Korean brand is known for utilizing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to best suit acne-prone and oily skin, whereas the British brand is celebrated for weaving together glycerin and shea to best suit dry and mature skin. While both companies improve hydration and barrier function, the first focuses on clarifying and restorative components, and the second relies on deeply restorative qualities.

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 routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · £52.48 · 89% fitBuy Elemis routine · £324.88 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · £143.60 · 90% fitBuy Elemis routine · £290.16 · 76% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · £119.44 · 88% fitBuy Elemis routine · £263.56 · 78% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Elemis: which is better?

COSRX is better for oily and acne-prone skin types, offering a Superior routine fit, while both brands provide a High fit for dry and mature skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Elemis?

COSRX tends to be better suited for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin with its gentle and fragrance-free formulations, whereas Elemis focuses more on dry and mature skin with luxurious textures and spa-like scents. Reviewers note that COSRX excels in acne control and value, while Elemis stands out for lightweight absorption and premium pricing.

COSRX or Elemis for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Elemis have a High routine fit for dry skin. COSRX products on this page help provide deep hydration with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, while Elemis products on this page offer luxurious moisturization with ingredients like shea butter.

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

COSRX or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

COSRX offers better acne and pore control, making its cleansers more suitable for oily and acne-prone skin.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Elemis?

Reviewers note that Elemis has a high price point, whereas COSRX faces value and price concerns.

Between COSRX and Elemis, which brand offers better options for mature skin?

Both COSRX and Elemis offer High routine fit levels for mature skin. COSRX products on this page tend to focus on soothing and gentle hydration, while Elemis products on this page are noted for luxurious textures and anti-aging care.

How do COSRX and Elemis compare in terms of fragrance across their product lines?

COSRX is largely fragrance-free, with only one product on the products on this page listing fragrance. In contrast, most Elemis products on the products on this page contain fragrance.

Which brand performs better for acne and pore control according to review themes?

According to review themes, COSRX performs better for acne and pore control. The products on this page help provide effective acne control and clearing.

COSRX or Elemis for oily skin?

COSRX is the better choice for oily skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Elemis. COSRX also excels in providing effective acne and pore control.

COSRX or Elemis: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Elemis offer effective moisturizers on this page, with COSRX achieving a Superior Lovi fit level for dry skin while Elemis achieves a High level.

COSRX or Elemis for sensitive skin?

COSRX is a Superior fit for sensitive skin, while Elemis has a High fit. COSRX features gentle formulations with nearly all products listing no fragrance, helping to minimize the likelihood of skin irritation.

COSRX or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while Elemis is High.

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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