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COSRX vs Medik8

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

COSRX and Medik8 represent two distinct skincare traditions, with the Korean brand founded in 2013 and the British brand established in 2009. COSRX is dearly loved for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while Medik8's products cover serums, moisturizers, eye products, toners, and more, built around hyaluronic acid. The former suits acne-prone skin and oily skin best because of its balancing, clarifying, and restorative components, whereas the latter fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. They differ primarily in their core formulations and targeted skin types, as both utilize hyaluronic acid yet serve different dermal needs through daily application.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.

loreal.commedik8.comtracxn.com

This page compares some of the most popular COSRX and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Medik8 products

People Say

COSRXMedik8
  • Soothing, calming and gentle formulation Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “No stinging or irritation — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
  • Improves skin texture and glow Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
    • “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “My skin was smoother, my skin texture felt more resurfaced. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Deep hydration and plumping 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”
    • “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
    • “Absorbs fast — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
  • Additional beneficial features Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “removes all the oil — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like a spa — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “softened crow's feet — Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3”
  • 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”
    • “pores feel cleaner — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
  • Slow or no visible results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “Not as effective as retinol — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
    • “no difference — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
  • Packaging and size issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “Glass bottle breaks easily — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
    • “hard to get last bit — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
    • “click mechanism tricky — Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
  • High price point Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for dry skin

Buy Medik8 routine · £187.36 · 97% fitBuy COSRX routine · £52.48 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · £143.60 · 90% fitBuy Medik8 routine · £285.55 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Medik8 routines for combination skin

Buy Medik8 routine · £261.28 · 92% fitBuy COSRX routine · £119.44 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Medik8: which is better?

Both COSRX and Medik8 are great choices, but they fit different needs best. COSRX is superior for acne-prone, oily, and oily acne-prone skin, while Medik8 achieves a superior routine fit for dry, dry sensitive, mature, and combination skin.

What is the difference between COSRX and Medik8?

COSRX is a South Korean brand focused primarily on acne control, oily skin, and sensitive skin, whereas Medik8 is a UK-based brand focused on dry skin, dry sensitive skin, and sensitive skin. Reviewers indicate that COSRX is better at acne and pore control, while Medik8 does better at improving skin texture and glow, although Medik8 products often have a high price point.

COSRX or Medik8 for dry skin?

For dry skin, Medik8 is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine as Superior while COSRX is High. Medik8 helps provide deep hydration and plumping for dry skin.

COSRX or Medik8: which cleanser is better?

When comparing cleansers, COSRX offers options like the Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser that provide superior fit levels for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, while Medik8 provides the Surface Radiance Cleanse which is well-suited for acne-prone skin and texture improvement.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX is more affordable, whereas Medik8 frequently receives reviews mentioning a high price point. COSRX has high price point as a negative review theme.

COSRX or Medik8 for anti-aging and mature skin?

Medik8 is better for mature skin as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for COSRX. Medik8 also does better on review themes for improving skin texture and glow. Topical retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged skin.

Archives of Dermatology, 2007The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000

COSRX or Medik8 for treating dark spots?

For treating dark spots, COSRX and Medik8 perform similarly, as Lovi rates both brands as having a High routine fit for this skin concern. Both brands offer products containing ingredients like niacinamide, which helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

Which brand has more fragrance-free products, COSRX or Medik8?

COSRX has more fragrance-free products on this page than Medik8, offering 37 fragrance-free options compared to Medik8's 11.

COSRX or Medik8 for oily skin?

For oily skin, Lovi finds COSRX to be a Superior fit while Medik8 is High. COSRX achieves this with a routine tailored to acne-prone and oily skin types.

COSRX or Medik8: which moisturizer is better?

Medik8 provides a Superior routine fit for dry skin, whereas COSRX offers a High fit. For oily skin, COSRX delivers a Superior routine fit while Medik8 is High.

COSRX or Medik8 for sensitive skin?

Both COSRX and Medik8 fit sensitive skin at a Superior level according to Lovi. The products on this page for both brands feature gentle, non-irritating formulations that help calm and soothe the skin.

COSRX or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is the better choice for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior while Medik8 is High. COSRX also does better for acne and pore control across the review themes on this page.

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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