Brand Comparison
Sand & Sky 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 7.7)
Rating7.7/109/10
Price RangeMid-Range ($$)Budget ($)
Founded20172013
OriginAustraliaSeoul, South Korea
Products231
Best ForOily, Combo, normal, Acne-ProneOily, Combo, Acne-Prone, Sensitive
PhilosophyPink-clay everything — Australian pink clay masks and smoothers for the TikTok crowd.Minimal, effective formulations at accessible prices. Every product built around one or two proven actives with short, transparent ingredient lists.
Sand & Sky
Built a brand on pink clay alone. The mask is a shower-caddy staple. Expansion into serums is solid-if-not-hero.
Pros
- ✓ Hero clay mask
- ✓ Instagrammable pink-everything
- ✓ Good-enough formulas
Cons
- ✗ Single-product-driven
- ✗ Clay formulas drying for some
- ✗ Premium for concept
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
- ✗ Some products have a faint tea tree scent
