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COSRX vs SK-II

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

COSRX and SK-II are prominent Asian skincare brands that offer expertly formulated serums, moisturizers, cleansers, masks, and more. The Korean brand is dearly loved for thoughtfully incorporating hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and niacinamide to suit acne-prone skin and oily skin best, while the Japanese brand is cherished for anchoring its luxurious moisturizers, potent serums, clarifying toners, and restorative masks in its signature ingredient, pitera, to suit dry skin and acne-prone skin best. Through regular application, the formulations from both names address specific concerns such as acne, dark spots, and aging by significantly increasing skin hydration, improving barrier function, and reducing pore area, roughness, and redness.

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

koreajoongangdaily.combeautymatter.comprnewswire.com

SK-II is a Japanese skincare brand founded in 1980 and owned by The Procter & Gamble Company since 1991.

en.wikipedia.orgdiscoversk-ii.wixsite.comglossy.co

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

Popular COSRX vs SK-II products

People Say

COSRXSK-II
  • Lightweight and fast-absorbing texture Often MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “absorbs instantly like water — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “sinks in immediately — COSRX Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream”
    • “drinks right into the skin — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “Absorbs into the skin quickly. — SK-II Genoptics Ultraura Essence”
  • Deep hydration and moisturization 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”
    • “gives a healthy glow — COSRX The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum”
    • “flooded my skin with moisture — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness 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”
    • “skin feels soft as butter — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “pores became miraculously invisible — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Gentle and non-stripping formula Mostly MentionedSometimes 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”
    • “Leaves skin soft, feels moisturized, does not dry out skin. — SK-II Facial Treatment Cleansing Oil”
  • Radiance and glow enhancement Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “gives a glass skin look — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “leaves me with a red carpet glow — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
    • “Skin looks brighter — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
  • Effective acne and oil 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”
    • “Controls T-zone oil — SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion”
  • Exorbitant and high price point Not notedMostly Mentioned
    • “way too expensive — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • No visible or slow results Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “Takes a month to work — COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
    • “didn't do anything — COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner”
    • “did absolutely nothing — COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence”
    • “did absolutely nothing — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
  • Unpleasant scent or fragrance Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “smells like chemicals — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”
    • “smells like onions — COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream”
    • “smells like dirty feet — SK-II Facial Treatment Essence”
    • “smells slightly like saliva — SK-II Facial Treatment Mask”
  • Drying or insufficient for dry skin Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “quite thick consistency — SK-II Skinpower Advanced Cream”
    • “Need extra moisturizer — SK-II Genoptics Spot Essence”
    • “left my face tight — COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser”

COSRX vs SK-II routines for dry skin

Buy SK-II routine · £225.40 · 91% fitBuy COSRX routine · £52.48 · 89% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for oily skin

Buy COSRX routine · £143.60 · 90% fitBuy SK-II routine · £339.53 · 88% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

COSRX vs SK-II routines for combination skin

Buy COSRX routine · £119.44 · 88% fitBuy SK-II routine · £308.34 · 87% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit

Questions and answers

COSRX or SK-II: which is better?

COSRX stands out with superior routine fit for acne-prone, oily, sensitive, and oily acne-prone skin, alongside generally more affordable options, while SK-II achieves superior routine fit for dry skin through products centered on Pitera.

What is the difference between COSRX and SK-II?

COSRX is a South Korean brand founded in 2013 that focuses heavily on acne and oil control with key ingredients like snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, whereas SK-II is a Japanese luxury brand founded in 1980 built around its signature Pitera ingredient. Lovi rates COSRX as a Superior fit for oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin, while SK-II's brand routines fit dry skin at a Superior level.

COSRX or SK-II for dry skin?

For dry skin, COSRX and SK-II both have a High fit across the products on this page, though SK-II achieves a Superior routine fit compared to COSRX's High fit. Reviewers note that COSRX provides deeper hydration and moisturization, whereas SK-II can sometimes be drying or insufficient for dry skin.

COSRX or SK-II: which moisturizer is better?

Both COSRX and SK-II offer highly rated moisturizers on the products on this page, with COSRX known for deep hydration and SK-II delivering great radiance and glow enhancement. Lovi rates the routine fit for dry skin as Superior for SK-II and High for COSRX.

Which is more affordable, COSRX or SK-II?

COSRX is more affordable, though reviewer feedback notes that high price points are a drawback for the products on this page.

COSRX or SK-II: which brand is better for sensitive skin?

For sensitive skin, COSRX fits better than SK-II, as Lovi rates COSRX as Superior and SK-II as High for this skin type. Reviewers frequently mention that COSRX products provide a gentle and non-irritating formula.

COSRX or SK-II: which is better for deep hydration and moisturization?

COSRX does better for deep hydration and moisturization, as supported by review themes on this page. Hyaluronic acid helps with hydration, while sodium hyaluronate is used for wound healing.

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017

COSRX or SK-II for oily skin?

For oily skin, COSRX offers superior routine fit, whereas SK-II provides high routine fit. The products on this page for COSRX feature ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid, which help control oil and manage blemishes.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Antioxidants, 2021

COSRX or SK-II for sensitive skin?

COSRX fits sensitive skin better than SK-II, as Lovi rates COSRX as Superior for sensitive skin while SK-II is rated High. Reviewers frequently mention that COSRX products offer a gentle and non-irritating formula.

COSRX or SK-II for acne-prone skin?

For acne-prone skin, COSRX is the better choice because Lovi rates its routine fit as Superior, compared to High for SK-II. Reviewers on the page report that COSRX provides effective acne and oil control across the products 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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