Confused about what to try out from the popular Korean brand Cosrx? Then, this post is exclusively for you. Find out what are the best and worst out of Cosrx Products. This is a super long post, so grab your snacks or coffee before going ahead.
Table of Contents
Is Cosrx a good brand?
Cosrx (Cosmetics+Prescription) is a new-age Korean skincare brand that provides the best solution for various skincare problems. Unlike traditional Korean brands, Cosrx is ingredient-focused and uses minimal yet effective ingredients without unnecessary fillers in its products.
Cosrx is generally termed a clean beauty brand as it is believed to contain only safe ingredients. Cosrx Products are free of artificial fragrances, artificial color, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde-releasing agents.
Although their products are suitable for most skin types, I personally feel Cosrx is the brand for oily and acne-prone skin. A majority of their products are targeted towards treating and healing acne and acne-related issues. Since I have a similar skin type, I consider that as a boon.
Pricing-wise, they are reasonably priced. At first glance, the price range looks high, but considering the quantity and how long they last (each product lasts really long, about 4-10 months), I feel the pricing is ok.
The packaging is the only thing that is a bit plain and basic. But then Cosrx is a minimalistic brand on the whole and I haven’t experienced any damage or leakage with any of their product packaging. They could have added a bit of color to identify them easily, at least to the bottle products.
You can get COSRX Products in India through their official partners BeautyBarn and Limese Connect.
Moving on, let’s get into the individual reviews of each product that I have tried so far.
The Best Cosrx Products Reviewed
1. Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Product Type: Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is an everyday face wash that has an ideal pH of 5 to maintain the skin’s natural balance. This is a highly raved Korean cleanser for acne-prone skin.
Key Ingredients: The cleanser has noteworthy ingredients – Saccharomyces Ferment (the potent anti-aging ingredient that brightens, hydrates, and firms up skin), Tea Tree Oil (excellent acne controller and healer), Cryptomeria Japonica Leaf Extract (stimulates skin renewal giving smoother & softer skin texture) and small doses of Betaine Salicylate (a milder form of Salicylic Acid that helps with acne).
Fragrance: It’s free from added synthetic fragrance however due to the presence of Tea Tree Oil in it, it has a strong scent of Tea Tree Oil.
Texture: The texture is that of a clear gel that has a nice consistency. A tiny dollop is more than enough to cleanse the face and neck.
My Experience: The cleanser is not very foamy, but lathers enough to give you that smooth cleansing action. It rinses off quite easily without leaving any slippery residue behind. The cleanser is very efficient in removing sunscreen, oils, impurities, and dirt from the skin. It even removes light makeup with ease. I have used this on various seasons and on various skin days. I find this cleanser to be best suited for summers and oily skin days as sometimes I find this to be a tad bit drying on my skin. The cleanser as such hasn’t broken me out. It doubles up as a body wash and is great for those suffering from back acne.
Verdict: Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is an effective and efficient cleanser that gives squeaky clean skin. It may not be an every skin type cleanser as it can be drying for some people. Also, tea tree oil may not suit sensitive skin types. Personally, I liked using this cleanser. It’s not my HG, but still worth giving a try.
Rating: 4/5
Price*: $12 | ₹680 for 150 ml
Where to buy? Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Limese.com (Use code: TBIO for 10% OFF)
*price at the time of publication
2. Cosrx One Step Pimple Clear Pad
Product Type: Typically these are pre-soaked exfoliating pads that come as the second step (toning step) in your routine, just right after your cleansing step. One side of the pad is embossed to loosen up impurities that are deep inside and the other side is softer to pick up the remaining debris. Cosrx One Step Pimple Clear Pads are ideally formulated for those dealing with acne and pimples.
Key Ingredients: It has got 85% Willow Bark Water (a natural anti-inflammatory ingredient that calms acne) and 1% Betaine Salicylate BHA (to unclog pores and prevent pimples). The active ingredients are in mild doses, so beginners in chemical exfoliation can start with this product.
Fragrance: The pads have a tea tree oil and chemical acid fragrance that’s not too overwhelming, but it might be a hindrance for those sensitive noses.
My Experience: Each pad is well soaked that one can easily use a pad not only for the face and neck but also for the hands and legs of your body. The pad is that moist.
The exfoliating pad has caused a mild tingling sensation on sensitive skin days due to the tea tree oil. On other days it felt totally normal, with no tingling sensation at all. These pads don’t make the skin dry like most exfoliating products. In fact, this gives a tacky feeling initially which subsides after a minute or two, until it dries. The brand recommends using this every day, indicating that it’s gentle. Personally, I feel using it thrice a week is sufficient as too much exfoliation is not good however mild it is. In terms of effectiveness on my skin, I don’t think this did anything much. A few times I woke up with whiteheads whilst using this.
Verdict: Though it’s a nice product, I think my skin didn’t need this. It’s pretty gentle and mild so it doesn’t show drastic effects. In all, if you are a beginner at exfoliating acids and in need of a ready-to-use exfoliating pad, you can give this a try.
Rating: 3/5
Price*: $19.19 | ₹1192 for 70 pads
Where to buy? Amazon.com | Limese.com (Use code: TBIO for 10% OFF)
*price at the time of publication
3. Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Product Type: Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a chemical exfoliant that clears congested and clogged pores, revealing smooth and clearer skin.
Key Ingredients: It contains Willow Bark Water – excellent for acne, Niacinamide, Arginine, Panthenol, And Sodium Hyaluronate. The star ingredient of this product is 4% Betaine Salicylate, a gentler form of Salicylic Acid but is as effective as 2% Salicylic Acid. BHA is oil-soluble, unlike AHA, hence it is known to be the best bet for blackheads. This liquid is more concentrated and potent than the Pimple Clear Pads.
Texture: The Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a clear liquid that is runny like water.
Fragrance: It has a chemical scent from the acids used in it – though it doesn’t contain any synthetic added fragrance.
My Experience: Out of all the drying BHA exfoliants, this one is on the moisturizing side. It applies a bit tacky which settles down to a comfortable finish. There is no dryness-induced itchiness or any tingling sensation. I apply it with my fingers with a gentle pressing motion. Some people follow a wait time of 20 minutes after a BHA product. Being lazy, I tend to wait until it dries a bit which is about 5 minutes or so, and then follow up with the rest of my routine.
Performance-wise, it does not work miraculously for blackheads. It takes its own sweet time to reduce them. But then blackheads, in general, are high maintenance and I don’t think any product would remove them in one go, except if you go for extraction with a tool. What I liked the most was its brightening and smoothening effect. It noticeably improves skin texture and tone by clearing out clogged and congested pores. It also helped with healing acne, and whiteheads, and further prevented breakouts.
Verdict: I love how well the Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid suited my combination skin. It’s a gentle yet effective BHA product that exfoliates, unclogs pores and brightens up the overall skin. Generally, BHA’s are recommended for Acne and Oily skin types, but this would be a great choice for dry acne-prone skin as well.
Rating: 4.7/5
Price*: $14.90 | ₹1303 for 100ml
Where to buy? Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Limese.com (Use code: TBIO for 10% OFF)
*price at the time of publication
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4. Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Product Type: Cosrx Advanced Snail Mucin Essence is an excellent soothing and barrier-repairing product that instantly calms and nourishes the skin. It’s a great product to include in your routine if are using exfoliants and are prone to sensitivities.
Key Ingredients: Snail Mucin is an all-rounder ingredient that contains a lot of amino peptides that are responsible for strengthening and healing damaged skin. Snail Mucin has anti-inflammatory properties, hence it repairs skin, hydrates, and reduces redness, inflammation, fine lines, and wrinkles. This Essence from Cosrx contains high amounts of this Snail Secretion Filtrate, about 96% to be precise.
Texture: Slimy gel-like
Fragrance: No scent
My Experience: Essences are a bonus step to boost skin’s hydration level which also tends to contain high amounts of soothing ingredients. Depending upon your skin’s need or preference, you can use this in place of or along with a serum or layer with other products in your 10-Step Korean Skincare Routine.
The essence is highly efficient in tackling problematic skin issues like acne, redness & dryness. I had a bad breakout in January with lots of cystic acne and trying out various harsh acne products damaged my skin further. That’s when I gave pause to all those harsh products and started using soothing products. This essence was a major addition to my routine that definitely helped my skin heal faster. I once had redness after sheet masking and this essence was able to soothe within an hour. The product has a unique gooey texture with a slip to it. I use just one pump of it. Using it more feels a bit occlusive and doesn’t let other products sink in properly. One needs to get used to its texture. The product is completely fragrance-free which is a great thing.
Verdict: If you have a damaged skin barrier, sensitivity issues, recurrent acne problems, or dehydrated skin, you will definitely notice a good difference in your skin by using this product.
Rating: 4.5/5
Price*: $18 | ₹1011 for 100ml
Where to buy? Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Limese.com (Use code: TBIO for 10% OFF)
*price at the time of publication
5. Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask
Product Type: Cosrx Ultimate Moisturizing Honey Overnight Mask is a multi-purpose product that can be used as a moisturizer, sleeping mask, and wash-off mask.
Key Ingredients: Contains 87% Propolis Extract which has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and acne-healing properties. It has other noteworthy ingredients like Glycerin, Panthenol, Beeswax, Allantoin, and Sodium Hyaluronate to name a few.
Fragrance: No scent
Texture: The Cosrx Overnight Mask is a honey-colored gel that has a smooth consistency.
My Experience: Basically, I am all in for gel moisturizers and I loved this one as well. The gel is lightweight yet very hydrating. It is not the type that dries down to a stretchy matte finish. It feels very comfortable on the skin. It soothes, repairs damaged skin, and keeps them nourished throughout the night. Above all, it is fragrance-free and doesn’t contain alcohol and other irritants. But it does contain silicones.
Verdict: The lightweight gel formulation is surely something that will be loved by oily skin types.
Rating: 4/5
(Updated as of Nov,2023: Apparently the version reviewed here is discontinued and is revamped as Cosrx Full Fit Propolis Honey Overnight Mask with 70% Propolis Extract. It seems to have a similar gel texture and similar function but with a difference in the ingredient list)
Buy the new version on Amazon.com | Limese.com (Use code: TBIO for 10% OFF)
6. Cosrx Propolis Synergy Toner
Product Type: This Cosrx Synergy Toner is a propolis-based highly moisturizing toner to give you an intense glow and glass skin.
Key Ingredients: 72% Propolis Extract, and 10% Honey Extract, both have soothing, moisturizing, and anti-bacterial properties. Also contains Hyaluronic Acid, Panthenol, and Glycerin for extra hydration.
Fragrance: No added fragrance. Smells like raw honey, though.
Texture: Clear liquid.
My Experience: This truly gives a glass skin-like finish and gives that instant glow to the skin. It’s also extremely moisturizing and I felt a bit heavy on summer days. For the winters and dry skin days, this is perfect to keep your skin nourished. This also calmed and soothed my skin. So I think it’s great for those with damaged skin as well. It pairs well with other products too – no pilling or residues there.
Verdict: Unless you are allergic to Honey or Propolis, this is a great product to try for soothing and calming the skin. It effectively hydrates the skin and gives a plump skin. I loved it.
Rating: 4.5/5
Price*: $13 | ₹1250 for 150 ml
Where to buy? Amazon.com | Limese.com (Use code: TBIO for 10% OFF)
*price at the time of publication
7. Cosrx Acne Master Pimple Patch
Product Type: Cosrx Acne Master Pimple Patches are hydrocolloid patches that protect pimples from secondary infection and prevent them from further swelling. In simple words, it is just like a sticker that you need to put on top of your pimple. This will protect and heal the pimple.
You get 24 pimple patches in various sizes. Depending on the size of the pimple, you can choose one. Apply it on the pimple after cleansing your skin, no need to tone or moisturize. Replace it every 12 hours or until you see the patch go white in color.
My Experience: I can’t begin to tell you how much I love these patches. These are saviors for acne-prone skin types. The Pimple Patches zaps tiny zits, whiteheads, and small pus-filled pimples overnight. Medium and big pimples do take two to five days to heal completely.
Typically the patches suck out the bacteria-filled pus from the pimples and flatten them down with minimal scarring. It also helps to keep our hands away from pricking. The patches do not have any fragrance. They are so lightweight on the skin that you don’t feel you have it there on your face until someone points it out to you.
Verdict: This has been such a great invention according to me and I highly recommend anyone who gets breakouts to keep these handy. Many Korean bands have such pimple patches but the ones from Cosrx are the best.
Rating: 5/5
Price*: $18 | ₹368
Where to buy? Amazon.in
*price at the time of publishing
8. Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF 50 PA+++
Product Type: This is a soothing aloe based broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 + PA++++. It is a hybrid sunscreen with both physical and chemical UV filters for maximum protection.
Key Ingredients:
Physical Filters: Titanium Dioxide
Chemical Filters: Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Tinosorb S (Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine), Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate.
Also contains Aloe Complex 55,000ppm to relieve irritated skin.
Texture: Creamy and thick like texture, similar to fairness creams.
Fragrance: Has floral scent likethose fairness creams – not a very pleasant one.
My Experience: I got a couple of samples of this Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream along with one of my Korean beauty products purchased. Let me first tell you, when it comes to sunscreens I’m more focused on the ingredients. I try to avoid controversial UV filters and this product contains one of them which is Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, a potential endocrine disruptor. Also, this sunscreen contains alcohol, fragrance, silicones, and acne-causing ingredients. Simply put, I am not too happy with the ingredient list so obviously I wouldn’t be buying this product. Anyway, let me share my experience with the samples.
It is a thick cream. However, it does spread well and gets absorbed quickly. It leaves the skin moisturized with a dewy finish. This sunscreen will suit normal, combination, and dry skin types. Personally, I found this sunscreen quite comfortable. It did not make me perspire more nor did it have that moist feeling. The Cosrx Aloe Soothing Sun Cream is one of those Korean sunscreens that doesn’t leave any white cast.
Verdict: It works as a pretty good sunscreen. The only thing I don’t like is the ingredients that go inside it. And there are better alternatives in the market.
Rating: 3/5
Price*: $17 | ₹997 for 50ml
Where to buy? Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Limese.com (Use code: TBIO for 10% OFF)
*price at the time of publication
9. Cosrx Advanced Snail 92 All-in-One Cream
Product Type: This is a soothing, repairing and moisturizing cream for dry, dehydrated and damaged skin.
Key Ingredients: 92% Snail Mucin Filterate and Hyaluronic Acid
Fragrance: No scent.
Texture: The Cosrx AIO Cream has a slimy, bouncy, gel-cream texture with a medium consistency.
My Experience: This is another snail product from Cosrx. It’s a cream version, so someone who is not comfortable with the essence version can go for this. However, this has a lot more ingredients than the essence version wherein the cream has ingredients that may not be ideal for all skin types.
The cream spreads moderately well. Just spread it evenly and press and pat, instead of rubbing vigorously. It goes on a bit tacky but settles down to a smooth dewy finish. I cleanse, tone, and moisturize with this cream if I am using this product. The Snail All-in-One Cream is highly moisturizing, so I don’t layer on any other products with this. This snail cream plumps up the skin and makes the skin soft.
Verdict: The Cosrx Advanced Snail 92 All-in-One Cream is a good skin-repairing moisturizer. It’s particularly recommended for those dealing with a damaged skin barrier and with acne.
Rating: 4/5
Price*: $12 | ₹1218 for 100g
Where to buy? Amazon.com | Amazon.in | Limese.com (Use code: TBIO for 10% OFF)
*price at the time of publication
10. Cosrx One Step Pimple Clear Kit
Product Type: This is a 3-step kit targeted towards healing acne. It consists of 3 products – Cosrx Low PH Good Morning Cleanser, One Step Pimple Clear Pad, and the Holy Moly Advanced Snail Mucin Power Mask.
I have already talked about the first two products above. Basically, you cleanse and tone with them and then sheet mask. The Sheet Mask was previously available for sale individually, but now you can only get it with this kit.
Key Ingredients: The Holy Moly Sheet Mask is a nourishing and calming mask that is drenched in Snail Mucin, Red Ginseng, and Glycerine. Snail Mucin is excellent for acne.
My Experience: The mask fit well and felt very soothing on application. However, it left my skin a little tacky post-sheet masking. By morning, my skin felt a lot calmer and plumper. Oily skin types will find this too moisturizing. This will be a good mask for dry acne-prone skin types.
The Cosrx One Step Pimple Clear Kit is a one-time-use kit. That said, you cannot expect it to heal your acne with just one usage. I found this kit a great way to try out samples of Low pH cleanser and One Step Pimple Clear Pad, which gives you an idea of the products. If you like them, then you can easily invest in full-sized products. The Holy Moly Mask is also a decent moisturizing mask that calms acne and irritations.
Rating: 4.5/5
That’s all I have to say about Cosrx Products. I took a really long time to test out and jot down this review. If you found this post helpful, do share it with your friends & family. Also, don’t forget to share your thoughts & experiences with Cosrx in the comments section below. I would love to hear them out.
Safiya is the editor and founder of TheBeautyInsideOut. With 7 years of experience in the beauty industry, she has been contributing content since its inception in 2016. She’s keen on trying out skincare from various verticals – be it Western skincare, Korean beauty, or Indian Ayurveda and sharing their unbiased opinions on them.
