COSRX — the hugely popular Seoul-based brand now sold in Urban Outfitters, Ulta, and Ricky’s — was known only by U.S.–based skin-care sleuths (the folks like me who lurked around the r/Asian beauty subreddits, YouTube, and blogs like Fiddy Shades of Snail). Nowadays, it would be difficult to find an Instagram shelfie that didn’t feature one of COSRX’s clean, medicinal-looking bottles. Even the most entry level of skin-care lovers have at least heard of the brand’s game-changing cabinet staple: the Pimple Patch, which sucks up excess oil in the skin, flattening your zit significantly over night.

It doesn’t surprise me in the least that COSRX has had such a quick rise to fame. Its products are cheap (most are under $20), and more importantly, their straight-to-the point formulas really, really work. I have incredibly reactive, acne- and eczema-prone skin, and not once has a COSRX product broken me out or triggered an eczema flare up. Since I am such a COSRX nut, and can confidently say I’ve relentlessly tested every single one of its (ever-widening) array of products, I decided to compile a list of my favorites — all of which are worth owning, if you don’t already.

This blend of hyaluronic acid, snail mucin, and panthenol (an ingredient that has both hydrating and reparative properties) makes for one of the best healing, brightening, and moisturizing essences on the market. This do-it-all essence can combat practically any issues — whether it be dullness, dryness, or acne. Even though this is technically an essence, the formula is so thick I like to apply it as the last step before my moisturizer. 

You may have heard of COSRX cult-favorite snail mucin essence (more on that later), but have you heard about the cream version? I don’t use this product as a night cream — personally, I find it a touch too sticky to wear all over my face, though if you don’t mind the texture, it does work wonders for healing any blemishes or otherwise damaged skin (like wind-swept cheeks!). Instead, per the advice of my skin-care guru Fiddy Snails, I use this daily under my eyes as an intensely nourishing, smoothing, and replenishing eye cream. It’s thick without being pore-clogging, and has helped so much with my fine lines (it has also helped me avoid any concealer creasing whatsoever this winter). Plus, you get a giant jar for a third of the price of a standard Sephora eye cream — and, frankly, it works better than any fancy eye cream I’ve ever used (including my old Banana Brightening Cream from Ole Henriksen). 

Popular vitamin C serums on the market, like Glossier’s Superglow or Klair’s Freshly Juiced vitamin C serum, contain a concentration of around 5–10 percent vitamin C. COSRX vitamin C serum, however, contains a whopping 20.5 percent — higher than even the extremists at Drunk Elephant, whose serum contains only 15 percent vitamin C. The only thing to say about this product is that it just really, really works — after a couple weeks of consistent use, you will notice fading of dark spots and an overall brightness in your complexion. If you like Drunk Elephant’s Vita C, you must try this for half the price. 

The COSRX Acne Pimple Patch is a highly effective solution for treating pimples and blemishes. It is designed to create a moist environment that promotes faster healing. The patch comes in three different sizes (S, M, and L) to cover multiple pimples at once. Each pack contains a total of 24 patches. To use, simply cleanse the area around the problem spot and attach a patch that is larger than the spot. The COSRX Acne Pimple Patch is formulated with skin-friendly ingredients, is hypoallergenic, and has been dermatologist tested. It is also free from animal testing, sulfates, phthalates, and parabens. 

The COSRX AHA/BHA Treatment Toner is a gentle exfoliating toner that is formulated with AHA, BHA, and purifying botanical ingredients. It helps improve skin texture, vitality, and control pores. The toner contains 0.1% of AHA Glycolic Acid and BHA Betain Salicylate to remove dullness and dead skin cells. It is made with natural ingredients, including 10% Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Water and Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, making it suitable for daily use on all skin types. 

The COSRX Snail Peptide Eye Cream is a brightening and tightening eye cream that helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, as well as fine lines around the eyes. It has a lightweight lotion-like texture that is easy to apply and does not feel sticky or thick on the skin. The key ingredients include 73.7% Snail Mucin (Snail Secretion Filtrate) which rejuvenates the skin, 2% Niacinamide which helps lighten the appearance of dark circles, and a 5 Peptides Complex and Adenosine which help firm the skin and reduce wrinkles and fine lines. You can apply it as the last step of your skincare routine after cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Simply apply gently around the eyes and pat it in with your fingers to aid absorption. It can also be used on other areas of the face and neck. COSRX products are formulated with skin-friendly ingredients, are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. 

One of the best affordable, ultra-rich nighttime creams for winter out there. The two main ingredients of this cream are hippophae rhamnoides water (or water derived from sea-buckthorn berry), which is deeply healing and moisturizing, as well as hyaluronic acid. This is an absolute staple of mine that’s saved my skin time and time again from winter dryness and irritation. If you suffer from ultra-parched skin, or if you’re looking for an affordable way to battle winter scalies, this is the cream for you. 

The COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is a skincare product that helps to remove whiteheads and exfoliate the skin. It is formulated with glycolic acid 7% and is suitable for dry to combination skin types. The product is designed to gently and effectively remove whiteheads, revealing clearer skin. It contains 10 simple ingredients and is free from artificial fragrance, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. The COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and not tested on animals. 

Put simply: These exfoliants will deeply scrub your skin, leaving a brighter, baby smooth complexion behind. The AHA White Head Power Liquid formula below is made up of glycolic acid and niacinamide, which means it’s great for tackling on-the-surface issues like dullness, uneven skin tone, or hyperpigmentation. And the BHA Blackhead Power Liquid formula is great for anyone struggling with inflammatory or acne issues (it uses Betaine Salicylate, an exfoliant that penetrates deeper into the skin to break down sebum, as well as White Willow Bark, which can help decrease redness and inflammation). Use this exfoliant right after washing your face, wait as long as you can (20 minutes is recommended), and then proceed with the next step in your skin-care routine. Lot of exfoliants on the market are a blend of AHA and BHA — it’s pretty rare to find exfoliants stripped down this much— so you can really exfoliate depending on your concerns. Lots of people like to use both products on different parts of their face: the AHA on areas where they suffer more with pigmentation problems, and BHA where they struggle with acne. 

The COSRX Snail Mucin Sheet Mask is a skincare product that is designed to provide hydration and nourishment to the skin. It is infused with 35,000 ppm of snail mucin, which is a key ingredient known for its moisturizing and repairing properties. The mask is made of a naturally-derived sheet that is soaked in COSRX's bestselling snail 96 mucin power essence. This essence helps to deliver rich hydration and nourishment to the skin, while also repairing damaged skin and lightening acne scars.

The snail mucin used in this mask is obtained in a safe and environmentally friendly way, ensuring that no snails are harmed in the process. The mask is 100% natural, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-tested. It is free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. COSRX products are formulated with skin-friendly ingredients that alleviate irritated skin.

COSRX Pure Vitamin C 13% Serum with Vitamin E & Hyaluronic Acid, Brightening & Hydrating Facial Serum

The COSRX Pure Vitamin C 13% Serum is a lightweight and hydrating facial serum that helps fight early signs of aging and improve the skin's brightness. It contains highly concentrated pure Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) to achieve youthful glowing skin, super Vitamin E (tocotrienol) to fight signs of aging and slow down skin damage, and hyaluronic acid to deliver rich moisture deep into the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.