Medicube vs COSRX: the short answer
Pick COSRX if you want more product for the money and labels with no fragrance or denatured alcohol: its PDRN serum costs $7.39 an ounce against $23.66 for Medicube's. Pick Medicube if you want a spicule booster serum or an overnight peel-off mask, two formats COSRX does not match here.
Medicube and COSRX are both Korean skincare brands, and this comparison covers eight products, four per brand, priced from $22 to $27. It is a label-and-data comparison, not a hands-on test. Every price, ingredient list and result below comes from medicube.us and cosrx.com, read on September 29, 2026.
On disclosure, COSRX prints 0.1% retinol on its retinol cream's label and 77.7% white willow bark water on its toner pad, and it gives a sample size of 20 for its snail essence study. Medicube publishes more numbers, but most are self-test report excerpts with no sample size.
Choose this if
- Choose COSRX for more serum per dollar. Its 5 PDRN Collagen Intense Vitalizing Serum costs $25 for 100 mL, and Medicube's PDRN Pink Peptide Serum costs $24 for 30 ml.
- Choose COSRX if fragrance or denatured alcohol bothers your skin. None of its four products lists either one, though its toner pad lists limonene, tea tree leaf oil and orange peel oil.
- Choose Medicube for a spicule booster or a peel-off overnight mask. The Zero Exosome Shot comes in three strengths, and the Collagen Night Wrapping Mask dries to a film you peel away.
Who owns Medicube and COSRX?
Medicube belongs to APR Corp. and COSRX is a subsidiary of Amorepacific, so the two brands come from separate Korean companies. Kim Byung-hoon founded APR Corp. in 2014, APR launched Medicube in 2016, and APR listed on South Korea's Kospi in 2024.
COSRX was formally founded in Seoul on December 16, 2013, by Jun Sang Hun, and its name joins "Cosmetics" and "Rx". Amorepacific bought a 38.4% stake in September 2021. On October 30, 2023, it announced it would buy the remaining shares held by COSRX's largest shareholder for 755.1 billion won, for an expected 93.2% stake. Amorepacific says it co-developed The Retinol 0.1 Cream with COSRX after its 2021 investment.
PDRN Pink Peptide Serum vs 5 PDRN Collagen Serum: which PDRN serum?
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum and COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Intense Vitalizing Serum both list sodium DNA, the label name for PDRN, but COSRX costs less than a third as much per ounce and lists no fragrance.
| Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum | COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Intense Vitalizing Serum | |
|---|---|---|
| Price and size (US) | $24 for 30 ml (1.01 fl oz), on sale from $26 | $25 for 100 mL (3.38 fl oz); 50 mL for $14 |
| Price per ounce | $23.66 | $7.39 |
| PDRN on the label | Sodium DNA, 8th of 40; no percentage | Sodium DNA, 10th of 38, plus hydrolyzed DNA 29th; no percentage |
| PDRN sources named | Salmon DNA | Five: salmon, centella asiatica, rice, lactobacillus, sea grapes |
| Other named actives | Niacinamide 6th, five peptides, hydrolyzed collagen, atelocollagen | Niacinamide 6th, 200 Da collagen, alpha-arbutin, 8 types of hyaluronic acid, panthenol, allantoin |
| Fragrance | Listed, 20th | None listed |
| Denatured alcohol | Not listed | Not listed |
| Skin types stated | Dry, combination | Sensitive skin prone to irritation |
The "5" in the COSRX name counts PDRN sources, and neither brand prints a PDRN percentage. Medicube sells a Salmon DNA PDRN version and a Rose PDRN version labeled vegan, both at $24 with different ingredient lists; the table uses the salmon version. Its page names fragrances in a "formulated without" list, yet the ingredient list on the same page includes Fragrance.
Medicube's five peptides sit 34th to 38th of 40, and COSRX's one, acetyl hexapeptide-8, sits 32nd. Both list niacinamide sixth. It has published research, such as a 2005 paper titled Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance, but that paper did not test either serum, and neither brand prints its niacinamide percentage.
Medicube says the serum shows visible improvement in uneven tone and elasticity in as little as two weeks and cites a South Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety functional registration for fine lines and brightening. COSRX calls its serum clinically proven to enhance skin's natural renewal and the skin barrier. Neither page gives a sample size, method or study length, so both claims are brand-reported without published study details.
Which has the stronger signature products, COSRX or Medicube?
COSRX's signatures come with clearer numbers, a stated 96% snail mucin and a stated 0.1% retinol, while Medicube's signatures stand out for format: a spicule booster serum and an overnight peel-off mask.
COSRX: Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and The Retinol 0.1 Cream
The Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence costs $25 for 100 mL, with 50 mL for $14 and 30 mL for $9.99. Snail secretion filtrate is its first ingredient: the page says 96% snail mucin, and COSRX's fact pack says 96.3 percent snail secretion filtrate with 1,000 ppm sodium hyaluronate. COSRX's FAQ says the essence is not vegan.
COSRX reports a clinical study by Dermacosmetic Skin Science Laboratory in Korea, run May 26 to June 10, 2025, on 20 adults. After one use, it reports a 196.17% increase in skin moisture, a 35% increase in glow and radiance, and an 80% reduction in visible redness. Our snail mucin vs hyaluronic acid guide compares the two.
The Retinol 0.1 Cream costs $27 for 20 ml (0.67 fl oz). Its label prints "Retinol(0.1%)" 25th of 51 ingredients. COSRX describes 0.1% pure retinol with low irritation, made for first-time retinol users starting to notice the appearance of fine lines caused by dry skin, and its directions start with every other night in weeks 1 and 2, then nightly from week 3. The page gives no numeric results.
Retinol has independent research behind it, including a 2007 study on improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). That study did not test this cream. Our retinol guide covers how to start.
Medicube: Zero Exosome Shot 2000 and Collagen Night Wrapping Mask
The Zero Exosome Shot 2000 is a booster serum with micro-sized, needle-shaped spicules, listed as hydrolyzed sponge 11th of 27. The MILD (2000) strength costs $22 on sale from $24 for 30 ml, and the same listing sells STRONG (7500) and INTENSE (25000) versions. It also lists niacinamide 6th and lactobacillus extracellular vesicles 17th, which Medicube calls Lacto Exosome.
Medicube's best-documented figure comes from a 20-person survey run by the Global Institute of Dermatological Science from August 24 to September 21, 2022, in which 100% said the product felt like receiving professional care. That is a consumer self-assessment. The page also prints self-test excerpts, such as a 21.1% decrease in pore visibility and a 51.7% gain in radiance, with no sample size or duration, and it does not say which strength was tested.
The Collagen Night Wrapping Mask costs $24 for 75 ml. You spread a thin layer at night, let it dry to a film and peel it off. Polyvinyl alcohol, the film former, is 2nd, niacinamide 5th and ceramide NP 22nd. Collagen extract, the ingredient in the name, is 25th of 26. The clinical numbers on the mask's page are footnoted to a different Medicube mask, so we credit no test results to this one. Biodance vs Medicube covers more Medicube masks.
Zero Pore Pad 2.0 vs One Step Original Blemish Pore Clear Pad: which toner pad?
COSRX One Step Original Blemish Pore Clear Pad costs less per pad and lists no denatured alcohol, while Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 lists lactic acid 4th and salicylic acid 9th and publishes more self-test figures. The COSRX pad replaced the sold-out One Step Original Clear Pad on cosrx.com.
| Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 | COSRX One Step Original Blemish Pore Clear Pad | |
|---|---|---|
| Price and count | $24 for 70 pads (100 ml), on sale from $31 | $26 for 100 pads (300 mL) |
| Price per pad | $0.34 ($0.44 at the regular price) | $0.26 |
| Stated percentage | 0.45% white willow bark | 77.7% white willow bark water |
| Acids listed | Lactic acid 4th, salicylic acid 9th, betaine salicylate 21st | Betaine salicylate 5th, gluconolactone 19th, capryloyl salicylic acid 23rd |
| Denatured alcohol | 5th ingredient | Not listed |
| Fragrance | None listed | None listed |
| Limonene and essential oils | Limonene last (47th); orange peel, lemon peel, grapefruit peel, bergamot, rosemary leaf, eucalyptus leaf and lavender oils | Limonene 11th; tea tree leaf oil and orange peel oil |
The two willow figures measure different things. Medicube states 0.45% white willow bark, while COSRX's 77.7% white willow bark water is its first ingredient, the liquid base of the pad. Medicube calls its fruit complex an AHA and lists lactic acid and salicylic acid. COSRX names BHA, PHA and LHA, with gluconolactone as the PHA, plus zinc PCA.
Medicube says 2 weeks of human application testing confirmed visibly minimized pores, and its self-test report lists sebum down 47.1%, pore waste down 87.3% and surface moisture up 15.3%. None of those figures comes with a sample size. COSRX says its pad helps minimize the appearance of pores and visibly refine texture, with no numbers on the page, and it cautions that people with an aspirin allergy may react to betaine salicylate. Our Mediheal vs Medicube comparison sets the Zero Pore Pad against another Korean pad.
Which is cheaper, Medicube or COSRX?
COSRX is cheaper per ounce for the PDRN serum and per pad for toner pads, and three of Medicube's four prices were sale prices on September 29, 2026. The COSRX retinol cream has the highest cost per ounce here, since $27 buys a 20 ml tube.
| Product | Price | Size | Unit cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum | $24 | 30 ml | $23.66 per oz |
| Medicube Zero Exosome Shot 2000 | $22 | 30 ml | $21.69 per oz |
| Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask | $24 | 75 ml | $9.46 per oz |
| Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 | $24 | 70 pads | $0.34 per pad |
| COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream | $27 | 20 ml | $39.92 per oz |
| COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Serum | $25 | 100 mL | $7.39 per oz |
| COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Essence | $25 | 100 mL | $7.39 per oz |
| COSRX Blemish Pore Clear Pad | $26 | 100 pads | $0.26 per pad |
The wrapping mask was the only Medicube product at full price. Medicube's cart showed free shipping at $80, and cosrx.com showed free shipping at $50 and a NEWMEMBER20 code for 20% off a first order. Sales and bundles change these numbers.
Which is better for sensitive skin, Medicube or COSRX?
COSRX, going by the labels: none of its four products lists fragrance or denatured alcohol, while Medicube's PDRN serum lists fragrance and its Zero Pore Pad lists denatured alcohol 5th.
| Product | Fragrance | Limonene and essential oils | Denatured alcohol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum | Yes, 20th | None listed | Not listed |
| Medicube Zero Exosome Shot 2000 | No | None listed | Not listed |
| Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask | No | None listed | Not listed |
| Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 | No | Limonene 47th; seven essential oils | 5th |
| COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Essence | No | None listed | Not listed |
| COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream | No | None listed | Not listed |
| COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Serum | No | None listed | Not listed |
| COSRX Blemish Pore Clear Pad | No | Limonene 11th; tea tree leaf and orange peel oils | Not listed |
COSRX names sensitive skin for three of its four products: the snail essence, the 5 PDRN serum and the toner pad. Medicube's FAQ says the PDRN serum suits all skin types including sensitive, and the brand calls that serum dermatologist-tested and both it and the Exosome Shot tested to be low-irritating. The Exosome Shot's notes say tingling is expected and mention possible redness, itching and a heat sensation. The cetearyl alcohol in the retinol cream is a fatty alcohol, not denatured alcohol. Patch-test either brand, and start retinol slowly, as COSRX's directions describe.
What we would buy
- A PDRN serum on a budget: COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Serum.
- A PDRN serum with five peptides, if fragrance does not bother you: Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum.
- A hydrating essence with a published sample size: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Essence.
- A first retinol with a stated percentage: COSRX The Retinol 0.1 Cream.
- A spicule booster: Medicube Zero Exosome Shot 2000, the mildest of its three strengths.
- An overnight peel-off mask: Medicube Collagen Night Wrapping Mask.
- Toner pads with no denatured alcohol and a lower price per pad: COSRX Blemish Pore Clear Pad.
Also weighing Dr. Melaxin? Our Medicube vs Dr. Melaxin comparison uses the same label-and-data method.
Sources
- Medicube product pages and ingredient lists for the four products above, medicube.us, captured September 29, 2026
- COSRX product pages and ingredient lists for the four products above, cosrx.com, captured September 29, 2026
- COSRX About page, cosrx.com, captured September 29, 2026
- Amorepacific press release on its additional COSRX stake acquisition, PR Newswire, October 30, 2023
- APR Corp. company information, as recorded on our Medicube brand page
- Bissett DL et al. Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance. Dermatologic Surgery, 2005 (PMID 16029679)
- Kafi R et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Archives of Dermatology, 2007 (PMID 17515510)
Editor's update
Published September 29, 2026. Prices, sizes, full ingredient lists and brand test results were read from medicube.us and cosrx.com on that date. Three of the four Medicube prices were sale prices, and the regular prices are noted. The COSRX pad compared is the One Step Original Blemish Pore Clear Pad, the version cosrx.com offered in place of the original One Step Original Clear Pad. The Collagen Night Wrapping Mask's 75 ml size was read from the tube label in the listing image because the page text shows another mask's size, and the clinical figures on that page are footnoted to that other mask, so no test results are credited to the wrapping mask. Medicube's self-test figures carry no sample size or duration, and the Zero Exosome Shot page does not say which strength was tested. Neither brand prints a PDRN percentage, and those gaps are noted, not estimated.
