COSRX Review (Korean Skincare For Acne-Prone Skin)

Loved by both veteran K-beauty fans and casual skincare enthusiasts, COSRX is a Korean brand known for producing some of the country’s best products.

The company consistently sticks to its simple philosophy, defining itself as an ingredient-oriented brand that aims to produce efficient skincare products with minimal ingredients.

Moreover, another one of the brand’s key selling points is producing products with high concentrations of active ingredients while maintaining a relatively accessible price point.

Known for their minimalist yet efficient ingredient lists, COSRX has certainly proven itself as an industry staple when it comes to addressing various skin concerns for all skin types.

Therefore, below, we will focus on what COSRX has to offer for acne-prone skin and how some of the brand’s products can help reduce the appearance of existing blemishes and prevent new breakouts down the line.

The 10 Best COSRX Products For Acne

• Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
• Two in One Poreless Power Liquid
• AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
• AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
• One Step Original Clear Pad
• BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
• The Niacinamide 15 Serum
• Advanced Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence
• Centella Blemish Cream
• Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+/ PA+++

Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser

The COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is a gentle yet effective cleanser perfect for acne-prone skin due to its ability to remove impurities while balancing the skin’s natural pH.

Notable ingredients include:

• Tea Tree Oil: Calms inflammation and combats acne-causing bacteria.
• Betaine Salicylate (BHA): Gently exfoliates dead skin cells and clears pores for a smoother texture.

Additionally, the cleanser has a unique gel texture that lightly foams when in contact with water, offering a refreshing cleanse that leaves the skin soft and plump rather than stripped and dehydrated.

Finally, the Low pH Good Morning Cleanser has a mild tea tree scent that is slightly medicinal.

However, the scent is completely natural as the product contains zero artificial fragrance.

Two in One Poreless Power Liquid

The COSRX Two in One Poreless Power Liquid is a game-changer for those looking to refine enlarged pores and achieve a smooth and polished complexion.

Key to its success are its star ingredients:

• Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water: A natural extract that gently soothes and reduces inflammation, making it perfect for calming irritated skin.
• Betaine Salicylate: A milder cousin to salicylic acid and a BHA that goes deep into pores to dissolve impurities and slough off dead skin cells, promoting a finer, smoother skin texture.

The Two in One Poreless Power Liquid has a lightweight, almost essence-like texture that sinks into the skin without a trace, leaving no sticky or greasy residue behind.

It’s incredibly refreshing, especially when chilled and applied on hot, humid days or after a workout, to instantly cool down and tighten the skin.

The formula is fragrance-free, letting the natural, slightly earthy scent of its ingredients shine through, ensuring your skincare routine remains as pure and soothing as possible.

The best way to use the COSRX Two in One Poreless Power Liquid is to apply a thin amount to clean, damp skin in the evening.

This allows the beneficial ingredients to penetrate deeply into the pores and refine the skin’s texture over time.

AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

The COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is a refreshing toner specifically designed to gently exfoliate, deeply cleanse, and pave the way for a complexion that’s radiant and free from pore-clogging impurities.

At the heart of this transformative formula are two powerhouse ingredients:

• AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid): Works on the skin’s surface to shed away dead skin cells and reveal a brighter, more even-toned complexion beneath.
• BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid): Dives deep into the pores to clear out excess sebum and impurities, refining the appearance of enlarged pores and preventing breakouts.

Additionally, the AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner has an ultra-lightweight, almost water-like texture that provides a cooling and refreshing feel upon application.

The toner also absorbs quickly, leaving no sticky or oily residue—just a smooth, primed canvas ready for the next steps in your skincare routine.

Finally, the formula is also free from artificial fragrances, which makes it suitable for sensitive and reactive skin that’s prone to acne.

The best way to use the COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is to apply a thin layer of product on clean, dry skin using a cotton pad, avoiding the eye area.

AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

The COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is a potent exfoliating treatment designed to tackle acne and uneven skin texture while delivering a clear, smooth complexion.

Central to its formula are key ingredients crafted to exfoliate and rejuvenate:

• 7% Glycolic Acid: This powerful alpha hydroxy acid exfoliates the skin’s surface, helping to dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, reducing the appearance of acne and revealing a brighter, more even skin tone.

The AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid has a lightweight texture that absorbs quickly, leaving no sticky residue, only a feeling of deep hydration and a slightly mattified complexion.

The product is fragrance-free to ensure a soothing application while respecting the skin’s natural balance and avoiding any harshness often associated with powerful exfoliating acids.

However, even though gentler than many glycolic acid toners on the market, the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power shouldn’t be used more than 2-3 times a week as part of a nighttime skincare routine to avoid potential over-exfoliation, irritation, and increased risk of sunburns.

One Step Original Clear Pad

The COSRX One Step Original Clear Pad is an innovative product that can serve as a daily refreshment for skin that’s prone to acne, dehydration, and sensitive reactions.

Each pre-soaked pad in the jar is saturated with the following ingredients:

• 1.0% Betaine Salicylate: This BHA dissolves cellular buildup deep inside the pores to heal existing breakouts and prevent future ones.
• Willow Bark Water: Known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, this component calms irritated skin and relieves redness.

Additionally, the One Step Original Clear Pads also have a texture that’s just right.

Instead of feeling like regular cotton rounds, which can sometimes be a tad bit too rough on the skin, the One Step Original Clear Pads are incredibly smooth yet capable of providing effective cleansing and exfoliation to tackle inflammatory skin conditions such as acne as well as textural irregularities.

Additionally, the pads are soaked in a fragrance-free solution, making them suitable for those with sensitive skin and anyone trying to avoid unnecessary irritation.

The best way to use the COSRX Original Clear Pad is to swipe them to clean, dry face and neck, avoiding the eye area.

BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

The COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is particularly beneficial for oily skin types that struggle with excess sebum and blackheads as a result.

The essence’s low-irritation formula is free of fragrance, alcohol, and artificial coloring, making it suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

However, central to its effectiveness against blackheads are its key components:

• 4% Betaine Salicylate: A gentle yet potent BHA that works deep within the pores to exfoliate dead skin cells and dissolve excess sebum, effectively reducing blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
• Willow Bark Water: Enhances the exfoliation process while soothing and calming the skin, and minimizing the risk of irritation.

The BHA Blackhead Power Liquid has an essence-type consistency that’s more on the liquid side compared to typical Korean essences.

The texture makes this product easy to glide when used on damp skin, and a little bit of the product truly does go a long way.

The best way to use the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is to apply a small amount after toner and gently pat it on the skin until fully absorbed.

You can use this product up to 2-3 times a week, gradually increasing frequency as your skin adjusts.

The Niacinamide 15 Serum

The COSRX Niacinamide 15 Serum is a lightweight serum with a potent formula designed to improve a range of skin concerns, including acne, excessive oiliness, enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, and rough skin texture.

Key features of the COSRX Niacinamide 15 Serum include:

• 15% Niacinamide: The high concentration of niacinamide aids in brightening the skin, refining enlarged pores, and improving overall skin texture.
• Zinc PCA: Complementing the niacinamide, Zinc PCA regulates sebum production and controls excess oil, which will reduce the appearance of existing acne and prevent new breakouts from forming.

The Niacinamide 15 Serum has a silky, lightweight consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin.

However, the serum can leave a slightly gooey residue behind, which is why you should apply no more than a pea-sized amount of product for a thin, non-greasy layer of coverage.

Free from fragrances and potentially irritating ingredients, the COSRX Niacinamide 15 Serum is designed to suit even the most sensitive of skin types, and it can be used both morning and night after cleansing and toning.

For best results, follow with a moisturizer to lock in the serum’s active ingredients.

Advanced Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence

The Advanced Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence is a hydration powerhouse formulated to deliver unmatched barrier repair and moisture, which can help relieve inflammatory conditions such as acne that can often be caused by dehydration and weakened skin barrier colonized by bacteria.

Key ingredients include:

• Snail Secretion Filtrate: Delivers intense hydration and repair with high levels of hyaluronic acid. It’s known for its ability to soothe dry patches, soften acne breakouts, and impart a radiant glow to the skin.

Besides the main active ingredient, the essence boasts a lightweight, jelly-like texture that might feel slightly gooey upon application—a sign of the nutrient-rich formula at work to rejuvenate your skin.

However, despite its potent formula, the essence is scent-free, as it contains no artificial fragrances, colors, or known skin irritants, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, including oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin.

The best way to use the Advanced Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence is to apply a small amount after toning and gently pat it on the skin until fully absorbed.

For optimal results, follow with a moisturizer to lock in the essence’s hydrating properties.

Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+/ PA+++

The COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+/PA+++ is not only COSRX’s best sunscreen for acne-prone skin, but one of the best ones on the market for this particular concern.

Infused with hydrating, skin-soothing, and redness-relieving ingredients, the sun cream not only shields the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays but also provides much-needed hydration and nourishment to all skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.

Key ingredients include:

• Aloe Vera Extract: Calms irritation and helps keep the skin hydrated.
• Licorice Extract: Contains anti-inflammatory properties that relieve redness and soothe irritated skin.

The texture of this sunblock is also quite interesting, as it starts as a thick cream but turns into a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula that leaves no greasy residue the more you work it into the skin.

The sunscreen even feels refreshing upon application and sits incredibly well under makeup, making it an excellent choice for daily use and suitable for all skin types.

Where To Buy COSRX Products?

COSRX is a well-known Korean skincare brand that has been on the market for several years.

Since then, they have achieved a cult following; therefore, finding their products is easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is COSRX Cruelty-Free?

However, with that being said, the brand is not entirely vegan, as some of their products contain snail mucin and honey.

COSRX is very transparent about how the brand extracts its ingredients and the company has disclosed on numerous occasions that no animals are harmed during the production of their products.

If you have been holding yourself back from trying out some of their products that contain snail mucin because of this very reason – you can stop worrying right now.

Harvesting the slime involves having the nocturnal snails crawl around a mesh net in a darkened room for no more than 30 minutes at a time before they are transferred back to their natural habitat and left to rest.

Additionally, they heat their mesh nets in order to increase humidity for a terrarium effect, which ramps up mucin production.

The snails are never harmed, and their moisturizing slime is then collected and pasteurized for the production bottle.

Additionally, if you prefer completely vegan products, the brand has several great vegan products for those who like to indulge in a more plant-based skincare routine.

Is COSRX a Clean Brand?

While the term “clean” is not regulated in the beauty industry, COSRX commits to using safe ingredients that don’t include additives such as parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, which are known for their potential side effects on skin and health.

Is COSRX Safe for Acne?

COSRX offers a wide range of products specifically formulated for acne-prone skin, making it a safe and trusted brand for those who struggle with breakouts.

However, as everyone’s skin is different, it’s essential to try any new product cautiously and patch test before incorporating it into your routine.

Additionally, if you start experiencing adverse effects, such as increased irritation, dryness, acne, and discomfort, chances are you need to adjust your usage or discontinue the product altogether.

Is COSRX Safe for Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne, medically known as pityrosporum folliculitis, is caused by an overgrowth of yeast within the hair follicles.

While COSRX does not specifically market products for fungal acne, many of its formulas are free of fatty acids, oils, and esters that can exacerbate yeast overgrowth, making them suitable for those with this skin concern.

It’s important to look for products containing anti-fungal ingredients and to consult with a dermatologist for personalized treatment options.