Through the years I’ve examined a whole lot of the preferred launches, together with snail mucin lotions, cleaning oils, lip tints, and cushion foundations. I even spent three months in Seoul final 12 months researching the most recent rising traits and viral Korean skincare launches.
Throughout that point, I visited CosRx’s headquarters in Seoul, the place I examined each single product from the model. When reviewing every CosRx formulation, I make word of its ingredient record to find out which pores and skin sorts it’s finest for, whether or not it’s perfume free, and what its key advantages are. I additionally seek the advice of with Okay-beauty specialists and dermatologists specializing in Korean skincare to curate every record and assist GLAMOUR readers take advantage of knowledgeable determination.
Meet the specialists:
What’s CosRx well-known for?
CosRx has a number of viral merchandise you’ve in all probability seen in your FYP, together with its 6 Peptide Pores and skin Booster Serum, AHA/BHA Clarifying Remedy Toner, and Superior Snail 96 Mucin Energy Essence. However the model’s reputation got here lengthy earlier than TikTok was round. “CosRx earned a loyal following for providing efficient formulations with minimal irritation at reasonably priced costs,” explains Dr. Hwang. “It stays one of the trusted Okay-beauty manufacturers for individuals who worth outcomes over packaging or hype.”
Which CosRx merchandise are finest for acne-prone pores and skin?
If you wish to goal clogged pores, breakouts, and acne-prone pores and skin, we suggest making an attempt CosRx merchandise that target light exfoliation and sebum management. Derm-approved picks from this record embrace the model’s AHA/BHA Clarifying Remedy Toner, Blackhead Energy Liquid Remedy, and The Niacinamide 15 Serum.
Greatest Cleanser: CosRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Authentic video from Sarah Y. Wu testing CosRx Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
All pores and skin sorts can profit from this gel cleanser, which I personally love for its light, non-stripping formulation. Dr. Hwang credit its versatility to the elements, which embrace tea tree leaf oil to “soothe irritation and assist handle acne-causing micro organism,” beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) to “gently exfoliate and stop clogged pores,” and allantoin to “calm pores and skin and assist in barrier restore.” Collectively they create a formulation that deep-cleans with out feeling harsh in your complexion. “This is likely one of the few cleansers I like to recommend constantly to sufferers beginning prescription actives or post-laser remedies,” says Dr. Hwang. “It cleanses completely with out disrupting the pores and skin’s pure pH, which is vital in sustaining a wholesome barrier. Personally, I’ve used it after procedures like microneedling, and it by no means causes tightness or irritation. It’s a stable, light cleanser that works particularly effectively for greasy or acne-prone pores and skin sorts.”
Cho additionally swears by this decide, which she says has been a staple in her skincare routine for years. “It’s light, has the right low pH to assist my pores and skin barrier, and by no means leaves my pores and skin feeling tight—simply contemporary and balanced,” she says. Store extra Korean cleansers this fashion.
Greatest Essence: CosRx Superior Snail 96 Mucin Energy Essence
Authentic video from Sarah Y. Wu testing CosRx Superior Snail 96 Mucin Energy Essence
Snail mucin is certainly one of Okay-beauty’s hottest elements. Y. Claire Chang, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York, beforehand advised US Glamour that snail mucin (or snail secretion filtrate) is “wealthy in amino acids and hyaluronic acid,” giving it hydrating, repairing, and brightening advantages. “I really like this essence, particularly as an additional step within the winter when pores and skin could turn out to be dry, chapped, and in want of restore,” she says. Cho can be a loyal fan of this well-known formulation. “This essence was one of many first snail merchandise I ever used, and it really transformed me. The feel is hydrating and bouncy, and over time it helped easy and calm my pores and skin like nothing else,” she says.
I’ve additionally used up a number of bottles of this essence over time and love the way it balances intense hydration with a bouncy but light-weight formulation. It’s good for imparting immediate bounce to the dry zones of my mixture pores and skin with out breaking me out or making my T-zone really feel greasy.
Greatest Serum for Dry Pores and skin: CosRx The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum
Authentic video from Sarah Y. Wu testing CosRx The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum
Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating powerhouse popularised for its means to intensely moisturise pores and skin with out heaviness. This face serum is a part of the model’s Rx line, which boasts particularly potent elements. In case you’re on the lookout for a no-frills hyaluronic acid serum that pairs the hero ingredient with different in style hydrators resembling glycerin, ceramide NP, and vitamin E, this is a superb choice. It absorbs shortly, layers simply with my different skincare and make-up, and retains my face feeling hydrated all day. “When my pores and skin is parched—particularly throughout winter or post-retinoid use—I attain for this,” says Cho. “It sinks in shortly and delivers deep hydration with none heaviness.”
Greatest Serum for Oily Pores and skin: CosRx The Niacinamide 15 Serum
Authentic video from Sarah Y. Wu testing CosRx The Niacinamide 15 Serum
One other standout from the Rx line is The Niacinamide Serum, which is formulated to assist maintain oily and acne-prone pores and skin sorts balanced, clear, and easy. Niacinamide is likely one of the most versatile skincare elements—treating issues from darkish spots and hyperpigmentation to dryness and redness—so technically any pores and skin sort can profit from its results. However this serum is particularly nice for balancing sebum ranges and preserving blemishes in verify because of its excessive focus of niacinamide (15%) paired with acne-fighting zinc PCA and soothing allantoin.
In comparison with The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum, this serum options an much more light-weight, watery texture. Whereas each serums sink in quick on my pores and skin, this one feels virtually undetectable, making it an incredible decide for greasy pores and skin. On weeks when my mixture pores and skin leans greasy, that is a necessary step in my morning routine. Cho additionally praises the balanced formulation. “This serum is a go-to for preserving oil in verify whereas additionally refining pores,” she says. “It’s highly effective however surprisingly light, which is uncommon at such a excessive proportion of niacinamide.”
Greatest Serum for Glow: CosRx The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum
Authentic video from Sarah Y. Wu testing CosRx The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum
One of many model’s newer launches, this product impressed me a lot, it secured a spot on my record of one of the best Korean serums. This glow-boosting formulation is filled with derm-approved brighteners together with 2% alpha-arbutin, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, ferulic acid, and glutathione. “It’s nice for these with uneven pores and skin tone, uninteresting complexion, hyperpigmentation, or post-acne marks,” Dr. Chang beforehand advised US Glamour. “The star ingredient on this serum is alpha-arbutin, a gentler various to hydroquinone that helps to brighten darkish spots by inhibiting melanin manufacturing.”
This serum first impressed me with its light-weight, nonsticky texture, however what saved me going again was the noticeable brightening impact, which I discovered similar to my favorite vitamin C serums. The mix of elements helps fade my post-breakout darkish spots a lot sooner than traditional and makes my face look general extra radiant. Cho agrees. “Alpha-arbutin is certainly one of my favorite elements for brightening, and this serum offers my pores and skin that even-toned, lit-from-within glow with out irritation,” she says.
Greatest Moisturiser for Delicate Pores and skin: CosRx Superior Snail 92 All in One Cream
Authentic video from Sarah Y. Wu testing CosRx Superior Snail 92 All In One Cream
CosRx doesn’t simply make snail mucin in essence kind; this best-selling moisturiser is one other option to strive the advantages of snail secretion filtrate. It’s formulated with extra hydrating, soothing elements resembling hyaluronic acid and allantoin to create a cream that’s intensely moisturising. The feel is certainly one of my favorite issues about this moisturiser: it’s barely bouncy but light-weight and nonsticky. It has an instantaneous delicate plumping impact and feels superbly refreshing. I often layer it over the model’s Superior Snail 96 Mucin Energy Essence for a double dose of snail mucin (and pores and skin that’s visibly dewy and plump).
“The luxurious, cushiony texture comforts my pores and skin immediately,” says Cho of the barrier-friendly formulation. “This moisturiser is nice when my barrier feels compromised or I’m coping with redness—tremendous soothing and restorative.”
Greatest Moisturiser for Dry Pores and skin: CosRx Propolis Mild Cream
Authentic video from Sarah Y. Wu testing CosRx Propolis Mild Cream
I’ve been obsessive about your complete CosRx Propolis line because the model launched it, and this cream stays a favorite in my routine. Its hero elements embrace honey, in addition to propolis (a pure bee-made resin) and royal jelly extracts (a nutrient-rich honeybee secretion). All three have recognized anti-inflammatory properties that assist nourish whereas hydrating.
It packs the quantity of moisture I’d often count on from a a lot heavier, richer formulation in a non-sticky gel base. “I really like this moisturiser as a result of it hydrates deeply whereas nonetheless feeling breathable on the pores and skin,” says Cho. “The propolis provides a pure glow and helps calm any irritation — nice for tackling uninteresting or dry complexions.” One word: This cream leaves me extraordinarily glowy, so these with already oily pores and skin sorts ought to apply sparingly or take into account one other moisturiser as an alternative.
Greatest Retinol: CosRx The Retinol 0.5 Oil
Authentic video from Sarah Y. Wu testing CosRx The Retinol 0.5 Oil
This oil made Glamour’s record of one of the best Korean retinols because of its noticeable results and distinctive formulation. One of many uncommon retinols I’ve tried that works effectively on dry pores and skin, it packs the punch of a serum in face-oil kind. At 0.5%, the formulation incorporates the next focus of the ingredient than what you’ll often discover in Korean skincare however suspends it in an oil base for a built-in moisturising, buffering impact. “It has a nourishing base of squalane, which is certainly one of my favorite deep hydrators that helps lock in moisture and cushion the depth of the pure retinol,” says Cho. “Due to the facial-oil consistency, I believe that is good for dry pores and skin sorts and retinol learners.” Even in case you don’t have dry pores and skin, strive it for the outcomes. “I really like how easy it makes my pores and skin look, and it offers a gentle glow with out flaking or redness,” she says.
