Brand Comparison

Yu-Be 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 7.9)

Yu-Be COSRX

Rating7.9/109/10

Price RangeBudget ($)Budget ($)

Founded19572013

OriginShiga, JapanSeoul, South Korea

Products131

Best Forvery dry, eczema-prone, winter-skin, cracked-hands-and-feetOily, Combo, Acne-Prone, Sensitive

PhilosophyThe cult yellow-jar moisturizing cream from Omi Brotherhood — Japan's answer to Eight Hour Cream, with a camphor-and-glycerin formulation that's been treating cracked hands, dry feet, and severely dry skin since 1957.Minimal, effective formulations at accessible prices. Every product built around one or two proven actives with short, transparent ingredient lists.

Yu-Be

Yu-Be is the cult Japanese moisturizing cream that built its reputation through pharmacist-and-skier word-of-mouth before international beauty retail discovered it. Founded in 1957 by Omi Brotherhood (a Japanese pharmaceutical company with religious-philanthropic origins), the iconic yellow-jar Moisturizing Skin Cream uses a distinctive camphor-and-glycerin formulation that delivers occlusive sealing without petroleum-base feel. The product became a Japanese pharmacy staple for cracked hands, dry feet, severely dry skin, and post-windburn recovery. International distribution through Sephora US (and gateway international beauty retailers) made the yellow jar a recognizable cult product in the late 2010s.

Pros

✓ camphor + glycerin formulation is genuinely distinctive vs petroleum-based competitors
✓ decades of Japanese pharmacy validation
✓ cult Sephora US distribution makes it accessible
✓ recognizable yellow-jar packaging

Cons

✗ narrow catalog — Yu-Be is essentially a single-product brand
✗ camphor scent may not suit fragrance-averse users
✗ occlusive cream texture not for daily face moisturizer use
✗ premium pricing for the size

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