Does anyone remember the 10 step Korean skincare routine? This was how I was introduced to skincare around seven years ago but didn’t action it until the lockdowns in 2020. It felt so overwhelming at the time to go from using just water and soap to products that targeted my specific skincare concerns. No one can deny how the Korean skincare routine is a global phenomenon that is grounded in achieving healthy skin. For me, that’s the difference between their skincare targets and Western standards of skincare. They focus on healthy skin whereas, the latter focuses on anti-aging. Despite that, Korean brands (K-beauty brands) are always embedded in my routine and are my foundational products. This is where COSRX enters my skincare shelfie.
It was the first skincare brand that I was introduced to and since then, it has been a staple in my routine. I will always try other K-beauty brands because I generally stand with their ethos of having the right products that do the right things for you. In my opinion, it is the gentleness and the hydrating ingredients in their products that keeps me intrigued to continuously try them. My goal for skincare has always been achieving healthy, even and glowing skin. For me, most of their products that I have tried cater to my concerns.
Without further ado, let’s explore this K-beauty brand, COSRX, in more detail.
Disclaimer: This post does include some affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I have personally vetted.
About COSRX: The Brand
COSRX was founded by Jun Sang Hun, the CEO and founder of this global sensational K-beauty brand. Jun Sang Hun has very sensitive skin and was unable to use the majority of skincare products available on the market. As a result, he started creating skincare products that suited his skin type. After a decade of researching, studying skin types and concerns, he founded the brand that we know today as COSRX (Cosmetics + RX (Prescription)). A hypoallergenic skincare brand for sensitive skin to alleviate irritated skin with skin-friendly ingredients. After launching in 2013, it became a global sensation in the international skincare community.
The values of the brand go beyond surface level beauty. It is rooted in empowering individuals to discover healthy ways to take care of their skin, build self-assurance and enhance their overall lifestyle by uncovering their inner beauty. It continues to be one of the fastest growing K-beauty brands in the world, that is popular with people who are searching for products that are minimalistic and simplified to use daily. Their packaging, their key ingredients and the way that they harness both nature and science in skincare products (think snail mucin) follows a minimalistic approach.
Their Visual Identity
If you take a look at COSRX instagram page, you can see that their page reflects their values. It is simple, easy and minimal. By scrolling through their page, you can see that their target audience is for both men and women alike in different age groups. Although this page seems to attract those in their late teens to early 30s, their other country specific pages highlight women in age groups 35 and above. Furthermore, their visual identity of the brand depicts the inclusiveness of all skin types and skin colours. It evokes this feeling of healthy and revitalised skin that makes an individual feel more confident in expressing themselves. This is the experience that their customers feel when applying their products: transformed in a healthy way.
COSRX Skincare Review: Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
What Is it For?
The Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a lightweight essence which absorbs into the skin to give it that natural glow from the inside. The aim of this product is to infuse hydration and keep the skin moisturised and illuminated throughout the day.
What’s In It?
Their Snail 96 Mucin Essence is filled with superstar ingredients that you would want to find in a skincare product that is targeted towards sensitive skin. What makes this ingredient list amazing is that it is minimal and not filled with filler ingredients. It has a combination of antioxidants, humectants and moisturisers.
- Snail Secretion Filtrate snail secretion that has hydration and repairing properties.
- Betaine an amino acid derivative that helps to control cell water balance.
- Sodium Hyaluronate a form of hyaluronic acid that attracts moisture and reduces inflammation.
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5) strengthens the skin barrier, moisturises the skin and improves elasticity.
- Arginine a semi-essential amino acid that builds skin collagen and a natural hydrator that keeps the skin replenished.
- Allantoin softens and protects the skin, and can promote wound healing.
How Do You Use It?
The COSRX Power Essence can be used in both your morning and evening skincare routine. After applying your toner and/or exfoliant, apply a generous amount on your hands and gently massage it on your face, ears and neck. Essences are not compulsory to have in a skincare routine. However if you have dry skin, combination skin or experience dryness in the winter, essence will keep your skin hydrated.
The Results & My Experience with COSRX Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This was one of the first K-beauty products that I used. I’ve been actively using it every day for the last five years and it is still one of my favourite products to achieve healthy, even and glowing skin. I prefer to use it both in the mornings and the evenings. After I go to the gym, I feel that my face is drier from sweating and applying this gives back the lost moisture. In the evenings, I use this more as a pampering self care tool. I tend to use 3 to 4 pumps for my face.
The texture of the product is sticky in nature. Once it is on your face, it feels smooth and you can see your skin illuminate as you massage it in. It has no fragrance, which is perfect for my sensitive skin girls, and it is transparent.
As for pricing, it is very affordable. As it is a popular product, I batch purchase this especially in the winter months. Moreover, I always have one stored in my travel toiletries bag and I carry a small amount in my hand luggage. This product restores my hydration and protects me against the dry air on the plane.
COSRX Skincare Review: Advanced Snail Radiance Dual Essence
What Is It For?
The Advanced Snail Radiance Dual Essence is an elasticity and radiance essence which plumps and brightens the skin keeping it healthy and smooth. The aim of this product is to infuse the skin with hydration and tackles hyperpigmentation.
What’s In It?
- Snail Secretion Filtrate snail secretion that has hydration and reparation properties.
- Niacinamide also known as Vitamin B3, helps with the fading of dark spots and improving skin texture.
- Glycerin a natural moisturiser that keeps the skin hydrated and replenished.
- Meadowfoam Seed Oil keeps the skin silky and smooth with fatty acids without feeling greasy.
- Sunflower Seed Oil protects the surface of the skin and enhances damaged or irritated skin barriers.
- Argan Oil keeps the skin nourished and moisturised, helps to reduce scars and revitalises skin elasticity.
How Do You Use It?
The COSRX Radiance Dual Essence can be used in both your morning and evening skincare routine. After applying your toner and/or exfoliant, apply a generous amount on your hands and gently massage it on your face, ears and neck. It is very hydrating and does last throughout the day.
The Results & My Experience with COSRX Advanced Snail Radiance
I purchased this product by accident as I was trying to get their Snail 96 Mucin essence. I loved the packaging as it has a dual pump: one side with the snail mucin and the other side with niacinamide. By using this product, you get both the illuminating and hydrating factor from the snail mucin and extra brightening from the niacinamide. Even though this was an accidental purchase, I did enjoy my experience with it. Like all essences in this line, it spreads and absorbs easily when your skin is damp or wet.
As for pricing, it does cost a little bit more than the Power Essence and that is due to the addition of niacinamide. Boy, did my skin drink this product up! The only con that some people may not like about this product is that it does not pump evenly once you get halfway through the product. By the time I finished it, all the snail mucin was gone. There was still some niacinamide in the bottle that I was not able to pump out.
Overall, it is a good product. Can it replace the Power Essence for me completely? No it can’t, but I wouldn’t mind alternating it for the warmer months of the year.
COSRX Skincare Review: Oil Free Ultra Moisturising Lotion With Birch Sap
Note: The review of the Oil Free Ultra Moisturising Lotion is based on the old formula.
What Is It For?
The Oil Free Ultra Moisturising Lotion With Birch Sap is a light and subtle lotion full of vitamins and anti-oxidants that calms and soothes the skin. The goal of the product is to hydrate and moisturise the skin.
What’s In It?
- Glycerin a natural moisturiser that keeps the skin hydrated and replenished.
- Betaine an amino acid derivative that helps to control cell water balance.
- Cetearyl Olivate a natural moisturiser that leaves the skin feeling rejuvenated and dewy.
- Sodium Hyaluronate a form of hyaluronic acid that attracts moisture and reduces inflammation.
- Tea Tree Oil an anti-acne and anti-bacterial ingredient that can treat psoriasis and sooth dry and itchy skin.
How Do You Use It?
The COSRX Moisturising Lotion should be used towards the end of your skincare routine, before the SPF in the morning and before the facial oil in the evening. You only need a two quarter sized drops to cover your face, neck and ears. As you massage it in, you will notice that the product feels light as it absorbs into your skin.
The Results & My Experience with COSRX Moisturising Lotion
This was my go-to moisturiser for a few years before I switched to their All in Once Cream and my experience with it was simple. As I have combination sensitive skin, I was looking for a product that wouldn’t add any type of oil or grease to my face. Once I discovered this oil-free lotion, I jumped on it. It is very lightweight and hydrating. The lotion is white with birch sap, which is full of antioxidants, which helps reduce inflammation and repairs the skin.
I would say that this is a great beginner lotion for someone who is starting out with skincare and wants something affordable that works. Although it is fragrance free, it does have some sort of scent but it is not overpowering. It is very minimal.
In sum, I had a lovely experience with this lotion. For my everyday skincare routine, I would not purchase it again as I have found something better and more enjoyable to use.
COSRX Skincare Review: Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream
What Is It For?
The Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream is an all-in-one solution cream that repairs sensitised skin and soothes irritated skin after breakouts. The purpose of this product is to leave your skin feeling nourished and comfortable.
What’s In It?
Their Snail 92 Cream is filled with similar superstar ingredients like their other products. Although it has slightly more ingredients than their Snail 96 essence, it doesn’t change the effectiveness of the product. Despite that it is an all-in-one cream, it does have a balance between emollients, moisturisers and humectants.
- Snail Secretion Filtrate snail secretion that has hydration and reparation properties.
- Betaine an amino acid derivative that helps to control cell water balance.
- Sodium Hyaluronate a form of hyaluronic acid that attracts moisture and reduces inflammation.
- Arginine a semi-essential amino acid that builds skin collagen and a natural hydrator that keeps the skin replenished.
- Adenosine an anti-inflammatory ingredient that helps with wound healing, repairs and protects the skin barrier.
How Do You Use It?
The COSRX All in One Cream should be used towards the end of your skincare routine, before the SPF in the morning and before the facial oil in the evening. You can be quite generous with the amount used on your face, ears and neck. I like to use 2 dollops when I apply it on my face. It is not as sticky as the snail mucin essence due to the lower percentage, but it is gooey.
The Results & My Experience with COSRX All in One Cream
I don’t know what type of magic that the COSRX team put in this cream, but they should not stop! I receive compliments about my skin every time I use this cream. People constantly ask me how I get my skin to look like glass? I don’t consider myself an expert when it comes to skincare. I know what I’m looking for and work towards it. There isn’t one specific product that gives me glass skin, it is a combination of my routine. Adding this All in One Cream has changed the game.
I believe that I started using this end of last year (2023) because the oil-free lotion was no longer in stock and I had just finished using another moisturiser. Overall I have had a great experience with COSRX, so I decided to give this product a try. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I have repurchased it since and buying multiple at a time. Not only does it hydrate my skin, but also my skin feels replenished and soft. The addition of the extra ingredients further enhances the effectiveness of this product. It is thicker than most moisturisers that I have used. With the climate changing, I do enjoy using thicker moisturisers both in the AM and PM now.
COSRX Skincare Review: Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner
What Is It For?
The Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner is a watery toner that soothes and supplies minerals to sensitive skin. The aim of this product is to provide relief and refresh irritated and sensitive skin.
What’s In It?
- Sodium Hyaluronate a form of hyaluronic acid that attracts moisture and reduces inflammation.
- Betaine an amino acid derivative that helps to control cell water balance.
- Panthenol (Vitamin B5) strengthens the skin barrier, moisturises the skin and improves elasticity.
- Allantoin softens and protects the skin, and can promote wound healing.
How Do You Use It?
The COSRX Centella Toner should be used in one of the first steps on your skincare routine right after your cleanser. I like to pour some on a cotton pad and dispense it evenly on my face, ears and neck. Then I follow up with either an essence or exfoliant, depending on the day and routine being followed.
The Results & My Experience with COSRX Centella Toner
I was introduced to this sensational K-beauty brand with this product by a friend, who loves all things Korean skincare, back in 2017. This was the first toner that I ever used. As I mentioned earlier, going from just water and soap to including multiple products was overwhelming for me. The fact that this toner has a watery consistency was perfect for a beginner like me.
As for my experience, it was a great introduction into skincare and learning how to layer products together. It felt like my skin was drinking water from the outside in and I was able to see the improvement that it had on my skin. Although I don’t use this toner anymore, I do find myself going back to watery consistency toners every year because I see more hydration and evenness in my overall skin tone. This toner opened me to other K-beauty brands and their toners that have that same consistency.
As for pricing, it is very affordable like all the products mentioned in this post. I was freshly out of grad school when I started using this. Barely making any money and this was something that I could afford easily on my internship stipend.
COSRX Skincare Review: The Final Judgement
My final judgement? All of these products are great if you have sensitive skin as it is tailored for us in mind. It does not matter if you have combination, dry, normal or oily skin. If you have sensitivity in your skin, this is for you.
I think that the Centella Water Alcohol-Free Toner and the Oil-Free Ultra Moisturising Lotion will benefit:
- People who are at the beginning of their skincare journey
- People with dehydrated skin
- People who want simple and minimal products
The Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and the Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream will benefit:
- People who want that everlasting glow from the inside out
- People with dry skin and want to feel replenished daily
- People who want effective products to build their routine
I think the Advanced Snail Dual Radiance Essence will benefit:
- People who want to target hyperpigmentation
- People who want to brighten their skin by keeping it healthy and smooth
- People with dark spots and scars
If you are looking for products that come with an experience, like I do, give this K-beauty brand a try if you haven’t. Would I buy these products again? Absolutely and especially the All in One Cream and both essences.
Whew! I had no idea that I had tried 5 of their products! A detailed skincare review on COSRX products that I have tried and tested. Make sure to hit that subscribe button to join the community and never miss out on a post. Find me on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok for more powerlifting and wellness content.
Until next time,
Folakemi
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