Brand Comparison

Mario Badescu 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 7.6)

Mario Badescu COSRX

Rating7.6/109/10

Price RangeBudget ($)Budget ($)

Founded19672013

OriginNew York, New York, USASeoul, South Korea

Products232

Best ForAcne-Prone, Oily, Combo, spot-treatment-neededOily, Combo, Acne-Prone, Sensitive

PhilosophyOld-school NYC dermatology heritage — fragrance-forward, acid-toned, blemish-fighting skincare that's been a Sephora staple for 50+ years.Minimal, effective formulations at accessible prices. Every product built around one or two proven actives with short, transparent ingredient lists.

Mario Badescu

Mario Badescu Skin Care is the New York dermatology institution that built the iconic Drying Lotion in the 1960s and has sold roughly the same product line, in roughly the same packaging, ever since. Romanian aesthetician Mario Badescu opened his Manhattan facial salon in 1967, formulated his own products for clients, and accidentally built one of the longest-running indie skincare brands in the US. The Drying Lotion (salicylic acid + sulfur + zinc oxide settled at the bottom of a glass bottle, dabbed onto pimples with a Q-tip) remains the brand's #1 best-seller and one of the most iconic spot treatments in skincare history. The Facial Sprays (Aloe, Herbs & Rosewater; Cucumber, Green Tea & Aloe) are cult-following beloved despite being fragrance-heavy and arguably unnecessary. Best for spot treatments and the Drying Lotion specifically; the rest of the line is a mixed bag of effective and dated. Cheap enough to experiment with, iconic enough to keep on the shelf.

Pros

✓ Drying Lotion is a 60-year cult acne icon that genuinely works on whiteheads
✓ Sephora-exclusive availability with consistent stocking
✓ broad budget-friendly range covers most concerns
✓ NYC family-owned heritage with continuous formulation

Cons

✗ fragrance-heavy across the entire line
✗ many formulations feel dated (alcohol-forward toners, heavy creams)
✗ marketing is uneven — some products work brilliantly, others underwhelm
✗ has been sued multiple times for hidden steroid contamination in older formulations (resolved)

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.