What are the best Cosrx products? Boy, for once, was it hard to choose! I feel like a lot of Korean skincare is about moisture, moisture and more moisture only – and I’m not a big fan of that. Moisture is the foundation of great skin, but you need more than that, know what I mean? Cosrx is different. It gives you plenty of moisture alright, but also the right actives to deal with blackheads, fight wrinkles and fade away dark spots. Cool, right? So, where can you find these skincare superstars? Here are the best Cosrx products for every skin type and need:
- About The Brand: Cosrx
- What Are The Best Cosrx Products?
- Cosrx The Vitamin C 23 Serum ($25.00)
- Cosrx Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser ($14.00)
- Cosrx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid ($22.00)
- Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence ($24.00)
- Cosrx The Niacinamide 15 Serum ($25.00)
- Cosrx The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum ($25.00)
- Cosrx Pure Fit Cica Serum ($28.00)
- Cosrx The Retinol 0.5 Oil ($27.00)
- Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+/ PA+++ ($16.00)
- Cosrx Poreless Clarifying Charcoal Mask Pink ($19.00)
- What Are The Best Cosrx Products For Wrinkles?
- What Are The Best Cosrx Products For Acne?
- What Are The Best Cosrx Products For Dark Spots?
- What Are The Best Cosrx Products For Sensitive Skin?
- What Are The Pros Of Cosrx Skincare?
- What Are The Cons Of Cosrx Skincare?
- Is Cosrx Cruelty-Free?
- The Verdict
About The Brand: Cosrx
Ever wondered what Cosrx means? It stands for “Cosmetics + RX(Prescription) = COSRX”. Clever, right? The brand was founded in 2013. They’re famous for their minimalistic packaging, actives that work, and innovative skincare products that give you the results you crave, so you can feel as beautiful on the outside as you feel on the inside. Skincare is an inside job, after all. There’s not much more to say. This is one of my fave Korean brands because it works. Period.
What Are The Best Cosrx Products?
Cosrx The Vitamin C 23 Serum ($25.00)
Cosrx The Vitamin C23 Serum contains one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) I’ve come across in skincare. This powerful antioxidant fights free radicals, boosts the production of collagen and even fades away dark spots. High concentrations can be irritating, so Corsx added natural oils and hyaluronic acid to the mix to keep your skin soft and hydrated while Vitamin C does its job. The silicones texture glides smoothly on the skin and is a pleasure to use.
P.S. If you have sensitive skin, Corsx also has a 13% Vitamin C Serum that’s more suitable for your skin type.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Sokoglam, Stylevana, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: 23% L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Hyaluronic Acid.
Benefits: Prevents wrinkles and fades away dark spots.
Cons: High concentrations of Vitamin C can be irritating.
Skin type: Best for dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Cosrx Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser ($14.00)
Ever wondered why a lot of cleansers leave your skin feeling super tight? It’s all in the pH. If it’s higher than 6.5, it’ll destroy your skin’s acid mantle and weaken its protective barrier so that moisture can freely fly out into thin air. Cosrx Low-pH Good Morning Cleanser has a skin-friendly pH of 5: it gently removes all traces of dirt, impurities and even makeup without compromising your skin’s acid mantle. Its foaming texture is better for oily skin but anyone can use it.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Dermstore, SokoGlam, Ulta and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate.
Benefits: Cleanses skin and removes impurities.
Cons: May be a little drying for dry skin.
Skin type: Oily and acne-prone skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: Is Your Cleanser pH Balanced? Here’s Why It Matters
Don’t know which skincare products you can mix and match together and which ones deactivate each other? Download your FREE “How To Layer Actives Like A Pro” cheat sheet to get the most out of your skincare products:
Cosrx AHA Whitehead Power Liquid ($22.00)
I find the name of this exfoliant a bit misleading. In order to get rid of whiteheads, it’s not enough to remove the white tip. You need to remove the tail inside the pores. That’s a job for BHA, not AHA (glycolic acid). Still, this is the best exfoliant from the brand. Glycolic acid dissolves the glue that holds skin cells together to exfoliate skin. The result? Your complexion is softer to the touch. Fine looks smaller. Dark spots slowly fade away… Plus, this exfoliant contains niacinamide to further brighten skin as well as hydrate and hyaluronic acid to plump up skin. If you want an exfoliant that helps you look younger for longer, this can do the Jon.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, iHerb, Look Fantastic, and Ulta
Active ingredients: Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, and Hyaluronic Acid.
Benefits: Exfoliates, brigtens and hydrates skin.
Cons: Can’t remove whiteheads.
Skin type: Dry and sun-damaged skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence ($24.00)
Korean women are obsessed with galactomyces ferment filtrate – for a reason. Studies show this yeast extract can strengthen your skin’s protective barrier, so it can better withstand attacks from the sun, the cold weather, harsh skincare products and co. Plus, Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence is loaded with niacinamide, a skincare superstar that does everything: hydrates skin, strengthens the protective barrier, soothes irritations, fades away dark spots, fights wrinkles and even soothes acne! If you need to add a toner/essence to your winter skincare routine, this is it.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Sephora, Stylevana, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Galactomyces ferment filtrate and niacinamide.
Benefits: Hydrates and soothes skin.
Cons: Packaging isn’t the prettiest.
Skin type: All skin types can use it, but it’s best for dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Related: Niacinamide In Skincare: Does It Really Do It All?
Cosrx The Niacinamide 15 Serum ($25.00)
If I could use only one skincare ingredient for the rest of my family, it’d be niacinamide. Let me count the reasons: It hydrates skin and makes it softer to the touch; It brightens the complexion, fading away dark spots and sallowness; It helps treat acne and shrink pores; It soothes irritations and redness; and finally, it also prevents wrinkles. Whatever your skin needs, niacinamide is up for the job. This serum is particularly good for oily skin, as it has zinc PCA to absorb excess oil. It won’t single-handedly get rid of acne, but it does help more than you’d think.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Sephora, Ulta, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: 15% Niacinamide and Zinc PCA.
Benefits: Soothes redness, shrinks pores, absorbs excess oil and helps prevent acne.
Cons: It can’t get rid of acne single-handedly. It can be drying for dry skin.
Skin type: Oily and acne-prone.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Cosrx The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum ($25.00)
This serum contains 3% Hyaluronic Acid, one of the highest concentrations of hyaluronic acid found in skincare products. Hyaluronic acid is a moisture magnet: it attracts and binds to your skin up to 1000 times its weight in water. It plumps up skin, so fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. It makes skin baby soft. And it gives it a subtle glow. Ceramides strengthen the skin’s protective barrier, trapping that extra moisture in without clogging pores and giving you acne. If you have dry skin, this is a godsend, but anyone can use it.
Available at: Beauty Bay, iHerb, Look Fantastic, Sephora, Stylevana, Ulta, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: 3% Hyaluronic Acid and ceramides.
Benefits: Deeply hydrates and moisturises skin.
Cons: Not anti-aging.
Skin type: All skin types, especially dry and dehydrated.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Cosrx Pure Fit Cica Serum ($28.00)
Centella asiatica is one of the key ingredients in Korean skincare for a reason. It’s super soothing. Studies show it has anti-inflammatory properties that reduces redness and irritation. In fact, it reduces redness better than anything I’ve tried before. Plus, it also helps heal wounds and fight wrinkles. This serum contains centella asiatica as well as every single one of its soothing components. It packs a powerful punch sensitive skin will love. Plus, the lightweight texture sinks in quickly and makes your texture softer and smoother.
Available at: iHerb, Sephora, Stylevana, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Centella asiática.
Benefits: Hydrating, soothes skin and reduces redness.
Cons: Not anti-aging.
Skin type: All skin types, especially sensitive.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Cosrx The Retinol 0.5 Oil ($27.00)
Retinol is an anti-aging powerhouse, the only thing proven to reduce the wrinkles you already have, not just their appearance. It works by boosting collagen, the protein that makes your skin firm. The more collagen your skin has, the younger it looks. Plus, it fights free radicals to slow down new wrinkles from forming. And brightens the complexion. The catch? 0.5% is a medium dose that can be drying and irritating. Cosrx use a moisturising squalane base to counteract its drying effect. It’s oily, but doesn’t clog pores.
Available at: Cosrx, Sephora, Soko Glam, Stylevana, Ulta, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: 0.5% retinol and squalene.
Benefits: Reduces wrinkles, acne, and dark spots.
Cons: Oily base takes a while to absorb.
Skin type: All skin types, bar sensitive.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+/ PA+++ ($16.00)
A new generation of chemical sunscreen that combines a lightweight texture with broad high-spectrum protection that doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. It feels more like a moisturiser than a sunscreen so it’s easy to pile on during those torrid summer days (and all year round, really) and doesn’t leave a greasy, white mess behind. Plus, there’s a drop of aloe vera to soothe irritation, including sun-induced irritation. It’s so popular because it’s just a pleasure to use – and you can’t say that of every sunscreen!
Available at: Beauty Bay, Look Fantastic, Sephora, Stylevana, and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Ensulizole, Tinosorb S, and Titanium Dioxide.
Benefits: Provides broad-spectrum protection.
Cons: If you don’t like chemical UV filters, this isn’t for you.
Skin type: All skin types.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Cosrx Poreless Clarifying Charcoal Mask Pink ($19.00)
A gentle clay mask enriched with green tea to absorb excess oil, one of the main causes of acne. Get rid of this excess oil before it gets stuck in your pores and you won’t have to deal with pimples and blackheads. It looks pink, but it doesn’t stay that way long. It does turn into a greyish colour as the minutes go by. I know, kinda ruins the mood but hey, at least it’s easy to rinse off. And when it does, your skin is super soft to the touch.
Available at: iHerb, Stylevana and Yes Style
Active ingredients: Kaolin clay and green tea extract.
Benefits: Absorbs excess oil to prevent acne.
Cons: If you don’t have excess oil, this can feel drying.
Skin type: Oily and acne-prone.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
What Are The Best Cosrx Products For Wrinkles?
- Cosrx The Vitamin C 23 Serum ($25.00): A high dose Vitamin C serum to boost collagen, prevent wrinkles and brighten the complexion. Its velvety texture glides smoothly on the skin, but this high concentration can be irritating for sensitive skin. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Sokoglam, Stylevana, and Yes Style
- Cosrx The Retinol 0.5 Oil ($27.00): A medium-strength retinol serum with a moisturising oil base to reduce wrinkles, acne, and dark spots. Available at Cosrx, Sephora, Soko Glam, Stylevana, Ulta, and Yes Style
What Are The Best Cosrx Products For Acne?
- Cosrx The Niacinamide 15 Serum ($25.00): This lightweight serum can’t single-handedly treat acne, but it can reduce excess oil, one of its main causes. Plus, it makes your pores invisible. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Sephora, Ulta, and Yes Style
- Cosrx The Retinol 0.5 Oil ($27.00): Retinol isn’t just for wrinkles. This medium-strength serum also helps reduce acne. I usually wouldn’t recommend an oily base, but squalane doesn’t clog pores. Available at Cosrx, Sephora, Soko Glam, Stylevana, Ulta, and Yes Style
What Are The Best Cosrx Products For Dark Spots?
- Cosrx The Vitamin C 23 Serum ($25.00): A high dose Vitamin C serum to brighten skin and fade away dark spots. It has anti-aging properties, too. It may irritate sensitive skin, so be careful. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Sokoglam, Stylevana, and Yes Style
What Are The Best Cosrx Products For Sensitive Skin?
- Cosrx Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence ($24.00): A gentle toner with niacinamide and probiotics to hydrate and soothe skin. Available at Beauty Bay, Sephora, Stylevana, and Yes Style
- Cosrx Pure Fit Cica Serum ($28.00): If your skin is easily irritated or often red, this serum can help. Centella asiatica is the queen of soothing agents and can calm down redness and irritations. Available at iHerb, Sephora, Stylevana, and Yes Style
What Are The Pros Of Cosrx Skincare?
Cosrx is my fave Korean skincare brand. While most Korean brands focus on hydration and innovative gimmicks, Cosrx follows the science. It utilises actives like retinol, Vitamin C and AHAs that can do what they say on the tin and deliver brighter, plumper, younger-looking skin. The best part? Cosrx keeps it all affordable, so everyone can enjoy their best skin day, no matter what your budget is. What’s not to love?
What Are The Cons Of Cosrx Skincare?
I’m not a fan of the famous acne patches. The glue that helps them stick to skin can also cause irritations when you remove it. Plus, some of their products use fragrant essential and citrus oils that can irritate skin. Just because a product is fragrance-free, doesn’t mean it won’t irritate your skin. The devil is in the details.
Is Cosrx Cruelty-Free?
Yes, Cosrx is cruelty-free. They don’t test on animals and don’t sell in countries where animal testing is required by law. Phew!
The Verdict
There you have it, the best Cosrx product for every skin type and need, from wrinkles to dark spots and sensitive skin. If you’ve been looking for Korean skincare that deliver more than just hydration, you’ve found it. Use it now and thank me later.
Been loving the great quality of every post this new year! It’s a great pleasure of mine to open your blog every week 🙂
Clarissa, ooh thank you so much!! You’ve just made my week. 🙂
Would love to se your thoughts on newer cosrx products. The new acne line. Pha cream and mist. Cooling mist. Moisture stick. ???
Natalia, I like the new PHA line a lot. It’s very moisturizing for dry skin.
Hi Gio, thank you for all your advice! It’s wonderful!! I need some help, I’m 55 and an ex-smoker I have a very crepey neck and dĂ©colletĂ© (and some lip lines) what, if anything would you suggest. Also, my dĂ©colletage has been becoming more and more sensitive to what I put on it. A couple of my friends insist crepe erase is the way to go and they look great but their skin is not sensitive and they just have always had all around better skin (olive – and I am very fair) any suggestions would be wonderful!!! Thanks!
Maria, have you tried a serum with retinaldehyde? It does the same thing as retinol but is way gentler on the skin. Medik8 has great serums with it.
I think from COSRX, the Rice Mask (i think thats the name) with nicinamide is very good too… is very good for moistur and b3 for extra everything xD…
Im new in this blog, but is really nice and pleasant to read..
Michelle, thanks, glad you enjoy the blog. The mask is another goodies too. Love me some niacinamide. 🙂
hi!! can you mix galactomyses toner with AHAS lotions?
Camila, yes you can.
hi GIO! can you mix galactomyses with BHAS? CAIS? SUPEROXIDE? EUK? AZELAIC ACID? RETINOL? NIACINAMIDE?
Camila, yes you can. But please use only the actives you need. You don’t have to use everything!