🇬🇧United Kingdom

COSRX vs Olay

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

COSRX and Olay are two skincare brands known for offering expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, eye products, and more. COSRX is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and owned by Amorepacific Group since 2024, thoughtfully incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone skin and oily skin best. Meanwhile, the second brand thoughtfully pairs niacinamide and glycerin to suit acne-prone skin and mature skin best, offering gentle care suited to these complex needs. While both brands utilize shared key ingredients like niacinamide and glycerin, they differ in their specific formulations, targeted concerns, and regional origins.

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 COSRX and Olay products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular COSRX vs Olay products

People Say

COSRXOlay
  • Lightweight and fast absorption Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “sinks in quickly — Olay Super Serum”
    • “absorbs quickly — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
    • “absorbs instantly — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
  • Skin texture and smoothness improvement Mostly MentionedMostly 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 baby soft — Olay Retinol24”
    • “Skin feels like silk — Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Moisturizer”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Instantly smoother, softer, and more hydrated — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “light and smooth — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “hydrates the skin — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Gentle, non-stripping, and non-irritating formula Often 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 strip my skin — Olay Regenerating Cream Cleanser”
  • Acne, blackhead, and oil control Often MentionedNot 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”
  • Radiance and brightening effects Not notedOften Mentioned
    • “iridescent glow — Olay Super Serum”
    • “hides dark shadows — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “skin looks brighter — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Packaging issues and sizing concerns Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “tube is tiny — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “hard to dispense — Olay Super Serum”
    • “dropper is frustrating — Olay Super Serum Night Repair”
  • Slow, no, or ineffective results Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “no change in circles — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “no visible difference — Olay Ultimate Eye Cream”
    • “no difference — Olay Vitamin C Serum”
  • Unpleasant texture and heavy residue Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “texture is gooey and stringy — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “too slimy and sticky — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “Wake up feeling a bit greasy — Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream”
    • “cakes up all over — Olay Advanced Eye Cream”

COSRX vs Olay routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · £52.48 · 89% fitBuy Olay routine · £83.22 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · £143.60 · 90% fitBuy Olay routine · £195.17 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Olay routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · £119.44 · 88% fitBuy Olay routine · £188.48 · 86% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Olay: which is better?

COSRX has a Superior routine fit for oily skin, sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Olay has a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin. Reviewers find that COSRX is better for gentle, non-stripping formulas and acne control, while Olay is better for hydration and lightweight absorption.

What is the difference between COSRX and Olay?

COSRX has a Superior fit level for oily skin, sensitive skin, and oily acne-prone skin, whereas Olay has a High fit level for those skin types. Reviewers find that COSRX is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas and acne control, while Olay is better for deep hydration and lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Olay for dry skin?

Both COSRX and Olay achieve a High Lovi fit level for dry skin. While both brands feature hydrating formulations, Olay provides deep hydration and moisturization more often, whereas COSRX offers gentle and non-irritating care that helps maintain skin comfort.

COSRX or Olay: which cleanser is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer a range of cleansers with varying fit levels depending on your skin type. For instance, the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser achieves a Superior fit for sensitive and dry skin, whereas Olay features options like the Regenerating Cream Cleanser which fits acne-prone skin at a High level.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Olay?

The provided page facts do not mention the prices of COSRX or Olay products, so it is not possible to determine which brand is more affordable.

Between COSRX and Olay, which brand provides better acne, blackhead, and oil control?

Between COSRX and Olay, COSRX provides better acne, blackhead, and oil control. The products on this page help target these concerns effectively.

Which brand performs better for oily acne-prone skin, COSRX or Olay?

COSRX performs better for oily acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the brand's fit level as Superior while Olay is High. Niacinamide may help control oil and pigmentation, which benefits this skin type.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

How do the fragrance options differ between COSRX and Olay skincare products?

COSRX has thirty-seven out of thirty-eight products on this page listing no fragrance, with fragrance found only in the Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+. Olay has twenty-six of twenty-seven products on this page listing no fragrance, with fragrance found only in the Oil Minimizing Clean Toner.

COSRX or Olay for oily skin?

COSRX is superior for oily skin, whereas Olay has a high fit for this skin type.

COSRX or Olay: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and Olay offer top-performing moisturizers, with COSRX achieving a Superior Lovi fit level for sensitive skin and Olay providing intense hydration favored by reviewers. The products on this page help improve skin texture and maintain moisture barrier health with key ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.

Dermatologic Therapy, 2022The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

COSRX or Olay for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, COSRX offers a Superior routine fit, whereas Olay provides a High routine fit. COSRX formulas tend to be gentle and non-irritating, with 37 of 38 products on this page listing no fragrance.

COSRX or Olay: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX is better for sunscreen because the products on this page achieve a Superior fit for acne-prone skin, compared to Olay's High fit for that skin type.

COSRX or Olay for acne-prone skin?

Both COSRX and Olay achieve a Superior routine fit for acne-prone skin on this page. COSRX provides products that help with acne control and clearing, while Olay offers options that provide lightweight feel and deep hydration.

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?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play