Brand Comparison
Black Girl Sunscreen 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 8.9)
Black Girl Sunscreen
Shontay Lundy launched Black Girl Sunscreen after years of putting white-casting chemical sunscreens on her Black skin and realizing the category had no answer. The result: a moisturizing, zero-white-cast, daily-wear SPF 30 that finally acknowledged darker skin tones in the sunscreen conversation. A political and practical product in one.
Pros
- ✓ zero white cast on melanin-rich skin
- ✓ Black-owned
- ✓ moisturizing finish
- ✓ mission-driven
Cons
- ✗ SPF 30 only on hero product (no SPF 50)
- ✗ avobenzone in core formula
- ✗ can be too rich for oily skin
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.
Pros
- ✓ Outstanding value across the entire range
- ✓ Short, transparent ingredient lists
- ✓ Consistently effective formulations
- ✓ Widely available globally
Cons
- ✗ Packaging is utilitarian, not luxurious
- ✗ Rarely pushes boundaries with new ingredients
