Cosrx has been one of the lasting giants of Korean beauty, one of the first to reach the international stage and they have stayed humble and maintained strong standards. It was founded by Jun Sang Hun, a highly experienced cosmetic producer, who found that his own sensitive skin was not compatible with treatments on the market. So, he founded Cosrx’s line –with a deep focus on textures, gentle skincare and implementing ingredients that work at the core of each product. 

Their first product was their BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, which utilizes salicylic acid at the core to shed excess skin cells and sebum to free up pores (preventing whiteheads forming) whilst also calming irritation and redness, for clearer and healthier skin. It had not been launched in South Korea in the same way and the clear results for acne-prone skin opened up a whole market in 2013. 

Cosrx focused on clean packaging, simple and effective ingredients and balanced this all for an affordable price point. Mr. Jun did not want to out-price his customers, instead he knew that creating something that people could easily obtain creates space in a long-term routine. Cosrx was doing great in Korea – creating effective products that worked for all skin types and functioned to solve problems. As their name literally dictates:

Cosrx enjoyed relative fame in South Korea, spreading largely through word-of-mouth and due to their results alone. Without background ingredients that created unnecessary expense in their products, the chance of irritation was lower, the core product was far more effective and majority of them fit easily into a daily routine without having to box out how people were already caring for their skin. Then, they launched their Snail mucin line – with their Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream and Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence. 

Snail mucin was a product that became famous first in Chile, in 1995, so its rise in South Korea was slow at first. Cosrx launched their snail line in 2014, without much fanfare, and people started using it. The results were insane. With practically just purified snail mucin, natural containing allantoin and panthenol to calm and refresh skin, balanced with sodium hyaluronate and betaine it created the ultimate sensitive, hydrating formula that needed very little tinkering. It worked on its own – and that’s what ultimately sold Cosrx into the international market. 

With the internet putting everything on steroids, the local team at Cosrx must have been a little terrified when their products were suddenly demanded into every corner of the world. 

Even in 2025, they are still working hard behind the scenes to keep up with demand, selling out here and there constantly – from small boutiques in Seoul to international suppliers. They found ways to use the internet to their benefit and often engage with influencer spheres, TikTok and promote healthy skin tips to create a lasting trust with users. 

Cosrx also heralded in the modern pimple patch. It had existed before, but it was cumbersome, would slip and did little but band-aid spots. Corsx produced hydrocolloid patches, which were incredibly slim and clear which allowed spot coverage, would draw impurities and oils from the spot to aid recovery and also slid perfectly under make-up. This revolutionized the pimple patch as we know it now – and majority of companies have quickly followed suit. 

Their ultimate cleansing duo comes with two flavors – for oily skin there is the Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser and for dry skin the Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser can’t steer you wrong. Picking up on their success of the BHA power liquid, Cosrx put salicylic acid to perfect use with their gentle cleanser. It helps refresh and deeply cleanse pores, leaving clear and calm skin without tightening skin or causing irritation. It has become a must-have for acne-prone and oily skin types. Balanced with their low pH cleanser, which refreshes with floral extracts, from evening primrose and japanese snowbell to rejuvenate skin and a hint of tea tree oil to balance oils and calm irritation (giving it a herbal morning boost). 

They launched Galactomyces 95 Tone Balancing Essence, to take advantage of the natural antioxidants and pigment lifting nature of fermented galactomyces. By naturally inhibiting melanin formation, reducing skin oxidative stress and strengthening the skin barrier – Cosrx had again created a product with a star that they simply let shine. It tackles hyperpigmentation and dark spots without irritation and causing damage to skin. 

Cosrx deepened their hydration specialty with their highly regarded Hyaluronic Hydra Intensive Cream and Hyaluronic Acid Hydra Power Essence. Both incredibly lightweight and powered by hyaluronic acid, they are ideal and soothing for dry or sensitive skin to provide lasting and careful moisture. They have become not only a favourite of generally dry skin, but also for people undergoing skin treatments due to their genuinely soothing nature. 

One of their other favorites is a stroke of simple genius – Aloe Soothing Sun Cream. Before the hype train had rocketed past with other K-beauty sunscreens, this was the K-beauty sun cream. It used soothing and healing aloe vera extract to moisturize, refresh and calm redness whilst being blended with UVA/UVB protection for SPF50+ protection that left no cast and had incredibly lightweight absorption. 

Cosrx has not stopped since they started and are always coming with new products, formulas and experimenting with science-backed advice. Their newest line is their hair care – which contains a simple hair serum, shampoo and treatment for a well-rounded balance of hair care. With a patented tripeptide to bind hair keratin and smooth frizziness, whilst deeply hydrating – it was no surprise that it sold out quickly. 

With the ability to restore natural shine and glow and also treat scalp irritation and dandruff – Cosrx's foray into new areas of beauty and wellbeing was well received. We’re excited to see what tomorrow brings with Cosrx – with hit after hit of their best players, no doubt we will get to see the best of K-beauty continue to shine.   

Shop all your Cosrx favorites and try out their new hair care range on Arktastic. With fresh products sourced from Seoul, we’re excited for you to try some of the best South Korea has to offer.