Brand Comparison
Youth to the People 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 8.2)
Rating8.2/109/10
Price RangeMid-Range ($$)Budget ($)
Founded20152013
OriginUnited StatesSeoul, South Korea
Products432
Best Fornormal, Combo, Oily, dullnessOily, Combo, Acne-Prone, Sensitive
PhilosophySuperfood-powered skincare — kale, spinach, green tea. Vegan, sustainable, nerdy about antioxidants.Minimal, effective formulations at accessible prices. Every product built around one or two proven actives with short, transparent ingredient lists.
Youth to the People
Cousins Joe Cloyes and Greg Gonzalez turned "eat your greens" into skincare. The Superfood Cleanser is a shower staple. Loved by the clean-beauty crowd without losing efficacy.
Pros
- ✓ Superfood-forward
- ✓ Refillable packaging
- ✓ Fair pricing for the tier
Cons
- ✗ Hero cleanser outshines the rest
- ✗ Green-beauty marketing can feel gimmicky
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
