The 13 Best CosRx Products That Prove Why This K-Beauty Brand Is Famous

Compared to The Hyaluronic Acid 3 Serum, this serum features an even more lightweight, watery texture. While both serums sink in fast on my skin, this one feels practically undetectable, making it a great pick for oily skin. On weeks when my combination skin leans greasy, this is an essential step in my morning routine. Cho also praises the balanced formula. “This serum is a go-to for keeping oil in check while also refining pores,” she says. “It’s powerful, but surprisingly gentle, which is rare at such a high percentage of niacinamide.”

Best Serum for Glow: CosRx The Alpha-Arbutin 2 Discoloration Care Serum

One of the brand’s more recent launches, this product impressed me so much it secured a spot on my list of the best Korean serums. This glow-boosting formula is packed with derm-approved brighteners including 2% alpha-arbutin, niacinamide, tranexamic acid, ferulic acid, and glutathione. “It’s great for those with uneven skin tone, dull complexion, hyperpigmentation, or post-acne marks,” Dr. Chang previously told Glamour. “The star ingredient in this serum is alpha-arbutin, a gentler alternative to hydroquinone that helps to brighten dark spots by inhibiting melanin production.”

This serum first impressed me with its non-sticky lightweight texture, but what kept me going back was the noticeable brightening effect, which I found comparable to my favorite vitamin C serums. The combination of ingredients helps fade my post-breakout dark spots much faster than usual and makes my face look overall more radiant. Cho agrees. “Alpha-arbutin is one of my favorite ingredients for brightening, and this serum gives my skin that even-toned, lit-from-within glow without irritation,” she says.

Best Moisturizer for Sensitive Skin: CosRx Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream

CosRx doesn’t just make snail mucin in essence form; this best-selling moisturizer is another way to try the benefits of snail secretion filtrate. It’s formulated with additional hydrating, soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and allantoin to create a cream that’s intensely moisturizing. The texture is one of my favorite things about this moisturizer: slightly bouncy, yet lightweight and non-sticky. It has an immediate, subtle plumping effect and feels beautifully refreshing. I usually layer it over the brand’s Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence for a double dose of snail mucin (and skin that’s visibly dewy and plump).

“The lush, cushiony texture comforts my skin instantly,” says Cho of the barrier-friendly formula. “This moisturizer is great when my barrier feels compromised or I’m dealing with redness—super soothing and restorative.”

Best Moisturizer for Dry Skin: CosRx Propolis Light Cream

I’’ve been obsessed with the entire CosRx Propolis line since the brand launched it, and this cream remains a favorite in my routine. Its hero ingredients include honey, as well as propolis (a natural bee-made resin) and royal jelly extracts (a nutrient-rich honeybee secretion). All three have known anti-inflammatory properties that help nourish while hydrating.

It packs the amount of moisture I’d usually expect from a much heavier, richer formula in a non-sticky gel base. “I love this moisturizer because it hydrates deeply while still feeling breathable on the skin,” says Cho. “The propolis adds a natural glow and helps calm any irritation—great for tackling dull or dry complexions.” One note: This cream leaves me extremely glowy, so those with already oily skin types should apply sparingly or consider another moisturizer instead.

Best Retinol: CosRx The Retinol 0.5 Oil

This oil made Glamour’s list of the best Korean retinols thanks to its noticeable effects and unique formula. One of the rare retinols I’ve tried that works well on dry skin, it packs the punch of a serum in face oil form. The formula contains a higher concentration of the ingredient than what you’ll usually find in Korean skin care (0.5%), but suspends it in an oil base for a built-in moisturizing, buffering effect. “It has a nourishing base of squalane, which is one of my favorite deep hydrators that helps lock in moisture and cushion the intensity of the pure retinol,” says Cho. “Because of the facial oil consistency, I think this is perfect for dry skin types and retinol beginners.” Even if you don’t have dry skin, try it for the results. “I love how smooth it makes my skin look, and it gives a soft glow without flaking or redness,” she says.

This is one of the stronger Korean retinols in my personal collection, but it’s still mild enough for my sensitive skin to tolerate. It’s also lightweight and fast-absorbing, so don’t be scared off by the oil formula; it won’t leave a greasy residue behind.

Best Peptide: CosRx The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum

I love peptides as a skin-plumping ingredient, but the serums can run on the expensive side. This is one of my favorite affordable options. It makes my skin look instantly hydrated and bouncy, which is exactly what you want peptides to do. Dr. Hwang credits its effects to the six types of peptides in the formula, which “promote collagen synthesis and improve skin elasticity.” He also likes the inclusion of panthenol to “strengthen the skin barrier and soothe irritation,” as well as sodium hyaluronate to hydrate and help plump.

“It’s a great entry serum for those in their late 20s to 40s who are beginning preventative anti-aging routines,” says Dr. Hwang. “I appreciate how well it absorbs—there’s no tackiness, and it layers seamlessly under other skin care products.” He recommends that his patients apply it on “humid days when heavier serums feel suffocating,” although it can benefit any skin type, year-round. “Patients often tell me their skin feels firmer and more hydrated with consistent use,” he says.

Best Acne Treatment: CosRx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

This exfoliating toner, which helps diminish pimples, is one of CosRx’s most frequently-searched products. Dr. Hwang is a fan because of its gentle-yet-effective formula, which combines glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid, or AHA) with betaine salicylate (a beta-hydroxy acid, or BHA). “Glycolic acid exfoliates and promotes skin turnover, and betaine salicylate clears sebum and prevents blackheads,” he explains. The formula is also packed with willow bark water, “a natural anti-inflammatory and mild exfoliant,” says Dr. Hwang.

One of my favorite features of this toner is that it’s mild enough for regular use, even on my sensitive skin. “It’s gentle enough for daily use and pairs well with both prescription and over-the-counter routines,” confirms Dr. Hwang. “I typically recommend this to younger patients dealing with uneven texture, mild breakouts, or congestion. I’ve also used it during travel when my skin becomes congested and found that it helps smooth out texture within a few days without causing dryness. The spray-type bottle is also convenient for quick use without overapplication.”

Best Exfoliant: CosRx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid Treatment

According to Cho, this treatment is “hands down one of the most effective yet gentle BHA products I’ve used.” This chemical exfoliator contains the same betaine salicylate (BHA) you’ll find in the brand’s AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner at a higher 4% concentration. “Betaine salicylate is a gentler derivative of salicylic acid that keeps my pores clear and skin texture refined,” she says. The formula also features willow bark water, niacinamide, and sodium hyaluronate to keep skin feeling balanced while targeting uneven texture and clogged pores. “I always recommend it to anyone dealing with congestion or blackheads,” says Cho. “It helped me clear my hormonal acne.”

Best Sheet Mask: CosRx Advanced Snail Mucin Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask

I’ve tried every viral overnight Korean face mask on the market, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this snail mucin version when it launched. Like other popular hydrogel masks, you can wear this one for a few hours until it changes color and hardens, or leave it on while you sleep. It’s packed with calming, hydrating ingredients for an intense moisture treatment. “Snail mucin hydrates and supports skin regeneration, allantoin calms irritated or post-procedure skin, and hyaluronic acid restores moisture and adds plumpness,” says Dr. Hwang. “This is one of my go-to recommendations for patients recovering from RF (radio frequency), lasers, or any irritation-prone treatments.” Compared to traditional sheet masks, Dr. Hwang says that hydrogel not only feels more cooling “but also enhances ingredient delivery.” He recommends it for “dry, tired skin” that needs a reset. “Personally, I’ve used it after long-haul flights and always notice an immediate improvement in hydration and skin texture,” he says. While I personally have yet to wear this mask on a flight, I like applying one for a few hours while I hit deadlines, then peeling it off to an impressive glass-skin glow.

Best Eye Mask: CosRx The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch

As a beauty editor who never gets enough sleep, I always keep a tub of eye patches on my desk, and these have been on regular rotation lately. They’re packed with all the ingredients I like in my favorite Korean eye creams, like caffeine and hyaluronic acid. The formula also contains peptides to “improve firmness and elasticity under the eyes,” niacinamide to “brighten dark circles and even tone,” and hydrolyzed collagen to “hydrate and support dermal density,” says Dr. Hwang. Even if you’re already using an eye cream, he recommends these as a “great option for those looking for visible results” before events or after a long day. “Over several days of use, I noticed more than just a temporary de-puffing effect—my under-eye area felt noticeably calmer, smoother, and slightly brighter,” he says.