Developing a skincare routine for acne-prone skin isn’t always the easiest feat. Thankfully, Korean skincare brand COSRX has a variety of products that are great for people who experience blemishes.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the absolute best COSRX products for acne.
The Best COSRX Products for Acne
Best Cleanser
Best COSRX Cleanser for Acne
COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser
This gentle foaming cleanser removes excess oils and helps unclog pores without drying out the skin.
If you’re acne-prone, you need a daily cleanser that will remove excess oils and impurities without further irritating breakouts or drying out the skin. This cleanser contains a 0.5% concentration of salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps gently unclog pores to minimize breakouts[1].
Pros
- Gentle
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Contains fragrance
In addition to the salicylic acid, this cleanser contains willow bark water, tea tree oil, evening primrose extract, and other soothing skincare ingredients.
Best Acne Spot Treatment
Best COSRX Acne Spot Treatment
COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch
These pimple patches are a cult-favorite product, and one of the best COSRX products for acne. They are applied directly to active pimples, and help speed up the healing process while protecting the skin.
These gentle but effective patches are made of hydrocolloid dressing, which extracts impurities overnight to speed up the healing process. They also create a moist environment, which further helps the problem spot heal.
Pros
- Non-drying
- Soothing
Cons
- Only treats current pimples (can’t prevent them from forming in the first place)
In addition to quickly healing pimples, these patches serve as physical barriers for problem areas. This means they minimize the risk of the pimple getting infected with more bacteria (which can slow down the healing process).
Best Exfoliator
Best COSRX Exfoliator for Acne-Prone Skin
COSRX Blackhead Power Liquid
This beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) exfoliator is one of the best COSRX products for those prone to acne and blackheads. It penetrates deep into the skin to unclog pores, which helps maintain clear, smooth skin.
BHAs are some of the most effective chemical exfoliators when it comes to unclogging pores. This product contains gentle BHAs – willow bark water and betaine salicylate – which exfoliate with a minimized risk of irritation.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin
This product contains sodium hyaluronate (the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid) and panthenol, which help counteract some of the potentially irritating side effects of the exfoliating ingredients.
Best Treatment for Redness and Irritation
Best COSRX Treatment for Redness and Irritated Skin
COSRX Centella Blemish Cream
This unique blemish cream is great for people prone to acne, because it helps soothe irritated, breaking out skin while also preventing the formation of acne scars.
This is one of the best COSRX products for acne sufferers, particularly those dealing with a lot of redness and irritation. Centella asiatica – the key ingredient in this cream – has been shown to effectively treat wounds and soothe inflammation in the skin[2]. This cream can be applied to active breakouts to help treat the blemishes while also preventing acne scars from forming.
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Some reviewers note that it leaves a white cast
This cream contains tea tree oil, which is antimicrobial and may further help treat breakouts[3]. It also contains sunflower seed oil, which improves hydration and strengthens the skin’s barrier[4].
Best Moisturizer
Best COSRX Moisturizer for Acne-Prone Skin
COSRX Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion with Birch Sap
This moisturizer is excellent for acne-prone skin, because it is lightweight, oil-free, and won’t clog pores.
Acne-prone skin types still need to moisturize daily to maintain optimal hydration levels and counteract the drying effects of other treatments and serums. This moisturizer hydrates the skin, but doesn’t leave behind a greasy finish. The star ingredient is birch sap, which helps to restore moisture to the skin.
Pros
- Oil-free
- Lightweight
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- Contains fragrant essential oils
In addition to birch sap, this lotion contains hydrating and soothing ingredients, including glycerin, panthenol, allantoin, and sodium hyaluronate.
Best Face Sunscreen
Best COSRX Sunscreen for Acne-Prone Skin
COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream SPF50+ PA+++
This soothing and lightweight sunscreen protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays without leaving behind a greasy finish.
Sunscreen is a crucial part of any skincare routine, but is particularly important for making sure any post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from previous breakouts doesn’t get darker. This sunscreen is excellent for acne-prone skin, because it is lightweight and contains soothing aloe.
Pros
- Lightweight
- No white cast
Cons
- Contains chemical sunscreen, which may irritate sensitive skin
This sunscreen feels like a lightweight moisturizer, and provides light (but non-greasy) hydration to the skin. It also does not leave behind a white cast.
FAQs
Is COSRX good for acne-prone skin?
Yes, COSRX has a variety of products that are great for acne-prone skin. The best COSRX products for acne include the Acne Pimple Master Patch, the Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser, and the Blackhead Power Liquid.
What COSRX products should I buy?
If you have acne-prone skin, the products mentioned above should be suitable for your skin type. However, everyone is different, so it’s best that you start with one new-to-you product, see how your skin reacts, and then add the next product to your routine.
How can I get clear skin overnight?
Unfortunately, clear skin doesn’t happen overnight. If you want to achieve clear skin, you’ll need to develop an effective skincare routine, and consistently stick to it.
The Bottom Line
COSRX offers a variety of products that are excellent for acne-prone skin. If you are looking to achieve a clear and smooth complexion, these products can help you reach your skincare goals.
