Buying COSRX in Australia? | Kanvas Beauty Buying Guide

COSRX: The ‘Paula’s choice’ of Korea

You'll see the products of hugely popular K-Beauty brand COSRX featured on countless "shelfies" thanks to its incredibly effective results. Dubbed the ‘Paula’s Choice’ of Korea by Charlotte Cho of Soko Glam fame, COSRX is built on simplicity and solutions. It’s clean beauty as a result of its formulas only employing the very necessary ingredients. While it’s not vegan (snail mucin is a popular part of its product repertoire), it’s absolutely cruelty-free. The creator of the OG Pimple Patch (which acts like a magic want to make zits disappear overnight) and the beloved Advanced Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence (raved about by Emily Ratajkowski), it's hard to go wrong with COSRX.

We chalk its popularity down to a couple of simple factors: Firstly, it’s products work. There’s no beating around the bush and no exaggerated promises. Secondly, it works for a huge variety of skin types and conditions. Unlike other brands, it’s hard to pigeonhole COSRX to a single skin condition. This mass appeal has seen it win countless awards around the world – it even topped Amazon’s Best Seller list in Facial Cleansing Gels! Now that’s something – and proof that COSRX is a brand worth getting to know.

KEY POINTS:

THE COSRX PIMPLE PATCH – the original and the best

These bad boys will make you start believing in magic. A decorated beauty award winner, the COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch are hydrocolloid patches. In other words, they’re zit bandages for whiteheads, pustules and papules.

With so much hype around a seemingly simple product, you might be wondering – do COSRX acne patches work? The simple answer is a resounding YES. Once you use it, it’s hard not to get obsessed. One of the most common questions we receive is just how does it work, and how long do you leave COSRX pimple patches on. Just stick one of the thin, clear hydrocolloid patches on a whitehead after cleansing your face. You can also stick it on a popped or leaky zit, and remove it once it turns white (yep…. that’s all the pus it has sucked out. Gross and fascinating at the same time!). Change it until there’s no more pus left, and until the wound has healed. Keep in mind for those bigger pustules, you might require a few patches whereas standard whiteheads would just need a single.

The COSRX patch works by breaking down the bacteria on the inside while protecting what’s essentially an open wound from further infection. Andit helps to minimize scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. What more could you ask for? With three differently sized patches in a pack, you can choose which one will cover the blemish area best. Those to wear makeup and want a sheerer patch that blends in with their skin can opt for COSRX Clear Fit Master Patch.

In case you need more convincing, check out this glowing COSRX pimple patch review from Byrdie’s editor.

The cosrx low ph good morning gel cleanser – the people’s choice

Despite its name, you can use the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Cleanser twice a day, both at morning and at night. A product of the brand crowdsourcing feedback from their customers, the Low pH Cleanser is different from your standard facewash because it has a relatively lower alkalinity. What does this mean? Essentially your skin is naturally a tad acidic, with a pH of ~4.5. Most cleansers have a higher (i.e., more alkaline) pH of ~7 and above, because that’s what helps get dirt and impurities off your skin. However, a high pH also leads to dryness and irritation.

The COSRX Low pH Cleanser meanwhile, comes in at a skin-mirroring pH of ~5. This means that it’s very gentle on sensitive and dry skin – but not to the point where its cleansing prowess has been made redundant. On the contrary, it takes off makeup like a breeze and leaves your face sparkling clean without that tight feeling. COSRX were smart in putting together the formula behind this foaming gel cleanser, forgoing harsher surfactants for ingredients such as tea-tree oil and betaine salicylate. The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory power of tea-tree makes the COSRX Low pH Cleanser good for acne. Betaine salicylate meanwhile, is a softer alternative to salicylic acid – but does the job in terms of exfoliating and keeping your pores in unlogged territory. Fabulous.

If your skin is on the oilier side or prone to cystic acne, opt for the COSRX Salicylic Acid Daily Gentle Cleanser instead. Formulated with 0.5% salicylic acid, it has a much higher pH level and therefore isn’t designed to be incorporated into your everyday routine. Treat it as the cleanser to use when your skin is breaking out in zits and blackheads. When used to address acne, it can produce results within 7 days! Just don't forget to restore your skin to its natural pH balance afterwards, by using a suitable mask, essence, serum and/or moisturiser.

Cosrx bha blackhead power liquid – The BHA to Beat All BHAs

The BHA Blackhead Power Liquid from COSRX is probably the best liquid BHA exfoliant we've tried. Now that's a big claim because there are some tough contenders in this category, but hear us out! Unlike its popular counterparts, the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is formed with betaine salicylate rather than salicylic acid. As we’ve mentioned before, both are forms of BHAs, but the former is much gentler on the skin. The 4% concentration employed by COSRX has the same peeling effect as a ~2% salicylic acid formula, in that it'll reduce the appearance of pores, demolish blackheads, treat hyperpigmentation and get rid of subclinical acne. However, it's not as drying or irritating on sensitive skin. We attribute this to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid and panthenol in the COSRX formula, which encourage moisture retention. There’s also Willow Bark, to help soothe redness.

If you've been wanting to use a BHA but have found other salicylic acid products unsuitable for your skin, try this. There’s a good reason why this product has countless beauty editors raving (just have a look at this review from The Skincare Edit).

Cosrx snail mucin - a must have

Okay, we’ve got to talk about COSRX’s snail mucin products: if you’re new to this divine slime, then COSRX is the best introduction to it. Snail mucin has incredible skin-regenerating, anti-microbial and healing properties. Hence, you usually find it in anti-ageing and repairing products. While not really a feature of Western cosmetics, it’s HUGE in the world of K-Beauty. However, it’s starting to make its way into the bathroom cabinets of a few familiar faces.

Supermodel Emily Ratajkowski for instance, swears by the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence for her dewy skin. This essence is packed with 96% snail secretion filtrate. That’s a lot of copper peptides and natural hyaluronic acid! But don’t worry, it doesn’t feel like Nickelodeon goo on your face! Instead, the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence is a viscous liquid that’s also but very hydrating and soothing when applied. The best bit is that it only takes about 10 days to start seeing a difference – most users can see a noticeable improvement in their skin’s elasticity and hydration levels.

The other tick for the COSRX Snail Essence (and snail filtrate products generally) is that it’s a very compatible skincare ingredient, and fits easily into any routine. You can use snail mucin every day. It’s a great balance to active ingredients, and works well with all skin types. You can use it with niacinamide, retinol, acids, virtually anything. It’s even known to work on conditions like rosacea and dermatitis!

If the COSRX Snail Essence doesn’t do it for you or if you want double the impact, try the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream. This product is lifesaver if you have congested or acne-prone skin that’s also dry. As its name suggests, this amazing moisturiser is enriched with 92% snail mucin and has the texture of a gel. This means it delivers nourishment without the oiliness. And because of snail mucin’s anti-microbial properties, it can also help to prevent or lessen the severity of breakouts. Use COSRX snail mucin as you would your regular moisturizer, daily or twice daily.

Now in case you’re wondering, snail mucin is not cruel and snails are most definitely not killed for snail cream. COSRX is a cruelty-free brand, after all. These cute critters are placed in a dark, natural habitat over a mesh net, which then collects their mucin as they slowly trail around.

Cosrx aha/bha clarifying treatment toner - 100% gentle, 100% effective

COSRX toners are generally cult hits, but none more so than the COSRX AHA BHA Toner. Why does it attract so many glowing reviews? Firstly, it only contains a 0.2% concentration of acids but still performs like a full-strength product. Secondly, it feels comfortable even on sensitive skin that doesn't usually take well to AHAs and BHAs. Thirdly, this goodie works wonders on skin texture. You'll see a noticeable improvement in the smoothness of your skin, particularly if you have subclinical acne: these are the tiny bumps that typically appear on the forehead and cheeks, and are too small to be squeezed like regular pimples. Finally, the concise formula rates a mention. The COSRX AHA BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner contains just 11 ingredients, including volcanic mineral water, willow bark, soothing allantoin and panthenol.

Cosrx galactomyces 95 tone balancing essence - A multi-tasker

COSRX's Galactomyces 95 Power Essence sounds a bit like a superhero and certainly, this potent formula can save dull and depleted skin! The COSRX Galactomyces Essence benefits pretty much any skin type. You might have heard about fermented skincare ingredients, and how they can combat hyperpigmentation and make skin appear more radiant over time. That’s basically the M.O. of the COSRX Galactomyces’ Essence! Infused with 10% Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate – which is the yeast by-product of sake. What’s magic about it is that it can increase the absorption of your other skincare products, as well as hold its own in controlling sebum levels and encouraging the skin to produce more hyaluronic acid. We love a multi-tasker!

Cosrx one step pimple clear pad - PIMPLES BE GONE!

Another award-winner, the COSRX One Step Original Clear Pad(previously known as COSRX One Step Pimple Clear Pad) are pre-soaked in Betaine Salicylate – that wonderful, gentler alternative to fellow BHA salicylic acid (see above). Together with Willow Bark Water, these pads will exfoliate without sensitising or excessively drying your skin. This product is a great way to remove excess sebum and polish away dead skin cells. With regular use, you'll find your skin tone brighter and more even, and less prone to breaking out. You can also use the COSRX pimple pads for blemishes on the chest and back!

Cosrx whitehead power liquid - all things bright and beautiful

An exfoliant targeted at eviscerating whiteheads? Yes please! The COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is powered by glycolic acid to get rid of those annoying whiteheads and brighten an uneven complexion. Intriguingly, this 10-ingredient formula uses apple water as its base, which contains natural fruit AHAs. And in what seems to be a hallmark of COSRX’s best products, it just takes about 1-2 weeks to see visible results. And by results we mean silkier, smoother and brighter skin. Yassss.

Cosrx creams worth a mention - there’s something for everyone

Some of our favourite moisturizers belong to the COSRX pantheon. Here are a couple that absolutely rate a mention.

The COSRX Centella Blemish Cream is a spot treatment cream that contains Centella Asiatica and Zinc Oxide to help soothe and repair skin. The creamy formula glides on your skin with ease to form a moisture barrier to protect the areas of concern. Now to get the most out of this product, it’s important to know how to use the COSRX Centella Blemish cream effectively: rather than slathering your entire face in it, take a small amount after cleansing and toning, and spread on areas that are troubled and/or prone to blemishes and acne. You’ll soon be wowed at Centella’s ability to diminish help acne scars, calm redness and even prevent breakouts.

At the other end of the hydration scale is the COSRX Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream. What we love about it, is that it does the job without leaving a greasy film on your face. It's filled with bountiful hydrating ingredients like sea-buckthorn (known as a vitamin tree) and of course, hyaluronic acid. It also balances your skin's water and oil content in perfect equilibrium, helping strengthen its protective barrier. For the best results, apply on a slightly damp face (try an essence beforehand) to allow the hyaluronic acid to do its work.

Others worth trying include the COSRX Aloe Soothing Sun Cream (a COSRX sunscreen? Yes please!), the COSRX Honey Ceramide Full Moisture Cream, COSRX Oil Free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion and COSRX PHA Moisture Renewal Power Cream. Yep, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding your own Holy Grail!

A quick note on the COSRX triple c lightning liquid

You might have heard about COSRX’s Vitamin C product, the Triple C Lightening Liquid. This was a collaboration between COSRX and Charlotte Cho, the Soko Glam founder. Beauty afficionados were clearly excited when these two skincare masterminds put their heads together, as the serum was sold out within an hourof its launch. It was also reported that it gathered a 10,000-person waiting list (!). Formulated with black chokeberry (and ingredient that acts as a stabilizer) and a potent 20.5% concentration of vitamin C, it certainly sounded like lightening in a bottle! However, the Triple C Lightening Liquid appeared to be a limited-edition product, and has since been discontinued. But don’t fret, COSRX has since developed its own vitamin C serum, as part of its Real Fit series. Called the COSRX Real Fit Vitamin C Serum C-23, it seems to be just as popular, having sold out on the day of its launch. Along with the COSRX Real Fit Retinol Serum and Vitamin E serum, these palm-sized products will dramatically transform the condition of your skin.

Buy COSRX products online in Australia at Kanvas Beauty

You can shop all the COSRX bestsellers (including the amazing pimple patch) in Australia right here on Kanvas Beauty.

We ship Australia-wide, including all the major cities (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Adelaide and Canberra). Enjoy free standard shipping with any purchase over $50, and free express shipping with any order over $99. If you’re new to Kanvas Beauty, take an additional $20 off your first order with us (use code WELCOME20 at checkout).

Happy shopping! If you have further questions on COSRX or any of our other brands, drop us a line on: hello@kanvasbeauty.com.au.

Have you tried any COSRX products? What do you think? Leave a review under your favourite products and tell us all the gory details!