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COSRX vs Minimalist

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

COSRX and Minimalist are respected skincare brands providing thoughtful solutions for diverse complexions. COSRX is dearly loved for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, and masks featuring hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide, while Minimalist offers specialized sunscreens, moisturizers, and cleansers. Both brands suit acne-prone skin, though the Korean line also serves oily skin best and the Indian line accommodates combination skin. They differ significantly in their founding years, geographic origins, corporate ownership, and specific active ingredient profiles.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Minimalist is an Indian skincare brand founded in 2020 and owned by Unilever PLC since 2025.

m.economictimes.comunilever.combeminimalist.copersonalcareinsights.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Minimalist products

People Say

COSRXMinimalist
  • Hydration and Moisture 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”
    • “very moisturizing — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “calmed it when my skin was super irritated — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Lightweight and Fast Absorption Mostly MentionedOften 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)”
    • “absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
  • Gentle and Non-Stripping Mostly 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 make skin feel tight — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Acne and Pore Control Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “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”
    • “acne cleared up in a week — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Deep Cleansing and Oil Control Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “perfect moisturizer for oily skin — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “keeps skin oil-free for hours — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
    • “whisking away that excess shine — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
  • Beneficial and Fragrance-Free Ingredients Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “love the niacinamide — Minimalist SPF 50 Sunscreen”
    • “zero smell — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “great for sensitive skin — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Unpleasant Texture and Finish Sometimes NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Leaves a sticky film — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “consistency is like water — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Drying or Insufficient Moisture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “leaves skin feeling tight — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “not moisturizing enough — Minimalist Vitamin B5 10% Moisturizer”
    • “made skin flaky — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Medicinal and Chemical Scent Rarely NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells of herbs and earth — COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser”
    • “smells like chemicals — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”
  • Packaging and Quality Issues Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “tube cracked on the side — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “hate dipping fingers in — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “cap leaks during travel — Minimalist Salicylic Acid + LHA 2% Face Cleanser”

COSRX vs Minimalist routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · £52.48 · 89% fitBuy Minimalist routine · £80.26 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Minimalist routines for oily skin

Buy Minimalist routine · £179.16 · 91% fitBuy COSRX routine · £143.60 · 90% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Minimalist routines for combination skin

Buy Minimalist routine · £161.47 · 92% fitBuy COSRX routine · £119.44 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Minimalist: which is better?

Both COSRX and Minimalist are great choices, with Lovi rating them equally high for dry, oily, acne-prone, and mature skin. COSRX has a larger product range on this page that helps with lightweight absorption and gentle care, while Minimalist focuses on deep cleansing and oil control.

What is the difference between COSRX and Minimalist?

COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013 and offers a large range of products on this page with a Lovi fit level that is Superior for sensitive skin, whereas Minimalist was founded in India in 2020 and achieves a High fit level for sensitive skin.

COSRX or Minimalist for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Minimalist are a High fit for dry skin. The products on this page help deliver deep hydration and moisturization for dry skin.

COSRX or Minimalist: which cleanser is better?

Both COSRX and Minimalist offer effective cleansers, with COSRX achieving a superior fit level for sensitive and dry skin, and Minimalist offering strong options for combination and acne-prone skin. The products on this page help cleanse gently without stripping natural moisture, though individual results depend on your specific skin type.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Minimalist?

The products on this page do not list prices, so a direct comparison of affordability between COSRX and Minimalist is not possible from this information.

How do COSRX and Minimalist compare in terms of fragrance-free formulations?

Minimalist offers fragrance-free options across the products on this page, whereas COSRX includes fragrance in one product, the Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+.

Which brand performs better for deep cleansing and oil control between COSRX and Minimalist?

Minimalist performs better than COSRX for deep cleansing and oil control.

What are the founding years and parent companies of COSRX and Minimalist?

COSRX was founded in 2013 in South Korea and is owned by Amorepacific Group, while Minimalist was founded in 2020 in India and is owned by Unilever PLC.

COSRX or Minimalist for oily skin?

Both COSRX and Minimalist are great options for oily skin, as Lovi rates their routines as Superior. The products on this page help control oil and balance the skin.

COSRX or Minimalist: which sunscreen is better?

When comparing sunscreens, the products on this page show that both COSRX and Minimalist offer high Lovi fit levels for acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, and skin with dark spots. Both brands are completely fragrance-free across these specific sunscreen options.

COSRX or Minimalist for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, whereas Minimalist achieves a High fit level.

COSRX or Minimalist for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Minimalist provide superior routine fit levels for acne-prone skin. The products on this page help manage breakouts through targeted cleansing and treatment options.

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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