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COSRX vs Shiseido

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

COSRX and Shiseido are a Korean skincare brand founded in 2013 and a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872, respectively. COSRX is dearly loved for its expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more, which thoughtfully incorporate hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone skin and oily skin best, while the brand is beloved for its thoughtful array of moisturizers, cleansers, sunscreens, serums, and more formulated with key ingredients like glycerin to suit sensitive skin and mature skin best. Both offer standout choices for particular concerns, but they differ in their foundational origins, specific ingredient combinations, and targeted skin type benefits.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

Shiseido is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1872 and owned by Shiseido Company, Limited.

corp.shiseido.comen.wikipedia.orgmarketscreener.com

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

Popular COSRX vs Shiseido products

People Say

COSRXShiseido
  • Deep hydration and moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “Immediate sensation of comfort — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “skin feels plump, soft and nourished, eliminates dryness, bouncy feel — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “Skin feels more hydrated — Shiseido Activating Essence”
    • “skin drinks it up — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • Skin texture and smoothness improvement Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “silky smooth, rich but non-greasy, absorbs quickly, melts into skin — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “absorbs quickly — Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream”
    • “Velvety, rich cream texture — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
    • “gives me that glass skin look — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
  • 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)”
    • “Lightweight, silky, non-sticky, sinks in instantly. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
  • Effective acne and pore control Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “extremely gentle — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “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”
    • “face feels squeaky clean — Shiseido Clarifying Cleansing Foam”
  • Soothing and calming effect Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “calms down my redness — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “calms inflammation — COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream”
    • “no stinging — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “No irritation — Shiseido Essential Energy Hydrating Cream”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formulation Often MentionedNot noted
    • “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”
  • High price and value concerns Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “expensive for me — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”
    • “Very expensive for the size — Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Eye Cream”
  • Strong scent or fragrance issues 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)”
    • “old lady smell — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
  • Packaging and bottle issues Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “heavy to travel — Shiseido Eudermine Revitalizing Essence”
    • “Heavy bottle but plastic pump, cannot see remaining product, straw too short to get last drops. — Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate”
    • “heavy jar, waste of plastic, faulty pump (on dispenser versions) — Shiseido VITAL PERFECTION”
    • “only 20mls... significantly less product — COSRX The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum”

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for dry skin

Buy COSRX routine · £52.48 · 89% fitBuy Shiseido routine · £251.59 · 74% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · £143.60 · 90% fitBuy Shiseido routine · £342.29 · 84% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs Shiseido routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · £119.44 · 88% fitBuy Shiseido routine · £296.92 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or Shiseido: which is better?

Both COSRX and Shiseido have strong points, but COSRX is a better fit for acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin, while Shiseido excels in deep hydration and luxurious textures.

What is the difference between COSRX and Shiseido?

COSRX excels in acne control and lightweight absorption, whereas Shiseido is known for deep hydration and luxurious textures. For routine fit, COSRX has a Superior level for oily skin, sensitive skin, and acne-prone skin, while Shiseido fits sensitive skin and mature skin best.

COSRX or Shiseido for dry skin?

For dry skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as High compared to Shiseido's Average. COSRX products on this page are also fragrance-free except for one, helping you avoid potential irritation.

COSRX or Shiseido: which cleanser is better?

COSRX and Shiseido both offer cleansers, but COSRX is often noted for gentle formulations, whereas Shiseido provides deep-cleansing options. For specific needs, the products on this page show that COSRX fits sensitive, acne-prone, and dry skin with a Superior level, while Shiseido cleansers fit oily skin with a High level.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or Shiseido?

Shiseido faces frequent negative reviews for a high price point, whereas COSRX faces high price and value concerns less often on the products on this page.

Between COSRX and Shiseido, which brand has a higher percentage of fragrance-free products?

COSRX has a much higher percentage of fragrance-free products, with 37 out of 38 products on this page listing no fragrance. In contrast, Shiseido includes fragrance in the majority of its items, with only 5 of 20 products on this page being fragrance-free.

How do the founding years and countries of origin compare between COSRX and Shiseido?

COSRX was founded in South Korea in 2013, whereas Shiseido has a much longer history, having been founded in Japan in 1872.

Which brand performs better for skin texture and smoothness improvement according to review themes?

Shiseido performs better for skin texture and smoothness improvement according to the review themes on this page.

COSRX or Shiseido for oily skin?

COSRX is a better fit than Shiseido for oily skin, achieving a Superior routine fit compared to Shiseido's High level. The products on this page for COSRX provide effective acne and pore control along with lightweight absorption.

COSRX or Shiseido: which moisturizer is better?

COSRX and Shiseido both offer deeply hydrating moisturizers, but COSRX is often preferred for lightweight absorption and acne control, while Shiseido is noted for luxurious textures and firming benefits.

COSRX or Shiseido for sensitive skin?

COSRX fits sensitive skin better than Shiseido, as Lovi rates COSRX as Superior for sensitive skin compared to Shiseido's High rating. Furthermore, the products on this page for COSRX are largely fragrance-free, whereas the majority of Shiseido's products contain fragrance.

COSRX or Shiseido: which sunscreen is better?

COSRX offers sunscreens such as the Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen with a High fit for sensitive skin, whereas Shiseido features options like the Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Day Cream, which provides a Superior fit for dry sensitive skin.

COSRX or Shiseido for acne-prone skin?

COSRX is better for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates its routine as Superior compared to High for Shiseido. The products on this page help with effective acne control and clearing.

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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