Brand Comparison
A'pieu vs COSRX
A head-to-head comparison of two popular K-beauty brands. Which one is right for your skin?
Our Pick
COSRX
Higher editor rating (9 vs 8)
A'pieu
A'pieu is the K-beauty drugstore brand that prioritized formula quality over branding — and built one of the most-recommended budget skincare lines in Korea as a result. The Madecassoside Cream and Ampoule are the brand's Centella-asiatica heroes, the Pure Block Daily Sun Cream became a cult sunscreen for under $12, and the Glycolic Acid Peeling Booster brought clinical-grade exfoliation into accessible pricing. A'pieu is what K-beauty looks like when the goal is to compete on substance rather than packaging — and the brand has built a steady international cult following as a result.
Pros
- ✓ Madecassoside Cream is the budget-tier Cicaplast equivalent at under $15
- ✓ Pure Block Daily Sun Cream is one of K-beauty's cult cheap sunscreens
- ✓ Glycolic Acid Peeling Booster brings real-strength exfoliation to drugstore pricing
- ✓ consistently formulation-first approach in the budget tier
Cons
- ✗ packaging and branding feel dated next to Anua/Numbuzin/Some By Mi
- ✗ international distribution still leans heavily on Olive Young Global + Yesstyle
- ✗ limited innovation pipeline — the brand is 30+ years old and has stayed relatively static
- ✗ marketing presence outside Korea is minimal
COSRX
The gateway brand for most people entering K-beauty, and for good reason. COSRX consistently delivers effective, no-frills products at prices that make most Western alternatives look overpriced. Their snail mucin line and BHA products are genuine category leaders. They rarely innovate, but they execute the basics exceptionally well.
