COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream: a Guru Score of 83% from 5 experts

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

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✓Yay

"This one uses 0.1% retinal, along with panthenol, shea butter, ethyl ascorbic acid, and glutathione. It's really nice, a little bit stronger than some of the others, so sometimes I use the sandwich method with it, applying a thick cream, then the retinoid, then another layer of moisturizer, to help prevent the dryness and flakiness that can come from adding a strong retinoid into your routine."

C

CYoung

94k subs

✓Yay

"They also have a kit with retinol in it and I tried it and loved it. It's 0.1% and feels like a really lightweight serum. You put a small amount on your fine line areas and make sure to seal it with a moisturizer. I got a lot of reviews from viewers saying their skin breaks out badly with other retinol but this one works amazingly for them because it's not that heavy, lightweight, but still has great moisturizing power. But it is 0.1%, so make sure to introduce it little by little and don't use it every single day, every other day with a really small amount."

Nipun Kapur

408k subs

✓Yay

"In Month Two we are adding a 0.1% retinol and I am very focused from the product I am recommending Cosrx's 0.1% retinol. Both of these products are gentle and gentle enough for the sensitive skin that you have to layer it."

All 3 takes from Nipun Kapur

Top COSRX Skincare Products: Must-Have Picks for Clear & Radiant Skin | Nipun Kapur

"The COSRX 0.1 percent retinol the formula is so so gentle... I have not heard of a single person breaking out with this one formula"

30 Day Pigmentation Challenge: How to Fade Dark Spots & Pigmentation at Home | Nipun Kapur

"Retinol by Cosrx a mild retinol"

Pigmentation Routine for Sensitive Skin | How to Treat Dark Spots at Home Safely | Nipun Kapur

"In Month Two we are adding a 0.1% retinol and I am very focused from the product I am recommending Cosrx's 0.1% retinol. Both of these products are gentle and gentle enough for the sensitive skin that you have to layer it."

Dr. Jenny Liu

321k subs

✓Yay

"This is a great one if you're looking for a beginner friendly retinol or for those who have super sensitive skin. [...] The 0.1% concentration is on par with most formulas in drugstores for effectiveness. [...] This is a great one to use for those who want to maybe get on anti-aging treatment earlier on for prevention or for very mild concerns of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture and skin tone. [...] It's a creamy formula, and for those with oily skin, [...] you can use it without having to put on another layer of moisturizer. [...] For those with dry skin, you can certainly use moisturizer on top of it, but it's such a creamy moisturizing base that you can definitely use it alone. I've used this on my neck to test the gentleness of it, and I certainly did not break out or get irritated. So I feel pretty confident about recommending it for those who are beginners or have super sensitive skin."

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All 3 takes from Dr. Jenny Liu

COSRX Skincare Favorites | Worth the Hype or Skip? | Derm Dr. Jenny Liu

"This is a great one if you're looking for a beginner friendly retinol or for those who have super sensitive skin. [...] The 0.1% concentration is on par with most formulas in drugstores for effectiveness. [...] This is a great one to use for those who want to maybe get on anti-aging treatment earlier on for prevention or for very mild concerns of fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin texture and skin tone. [...] It's a creamy formula, and for those with oily skin, [...] you can use it without having to put on another layer of moisturizer. [...] For those with dry skin, you can certainly use moisturizer on top of it, but it's such a creamy moisturizing base that you can definitely use it alone. I've used this on my neck to test the gentleness of it, and I certainly did not break out or get irritated. So I feel pretty confident about recommending it for those who are beginners or have super sensitive skin."

Dermatologist's Favorite Asian Skin and Haircare products of 2023 | Dr. Jenny Liu

"I love this one because it's super gentle, it's at a good concentration that's effective, and along with the vitamin E it's very creamy and nourishing. I really have been loving it during the winter colder months especially for my neck, an area that I can't readily use tretinoin on. If you have dry skin or are new to retinoids and want to try an over-the-counter retinol that is helpful for improving skin texture and skin tone but worry about irritation, I highly recommend checking this one out."

Dermatologist Top Asian Skincare, Haircare, and beauty Picks | Dr. Jenny YesStyle must haves

"The very first one is from COSRX and it's their 0.1% retinol cream. This is really nice if you have more sensitive skin looking for a more rich formula. In addition to the lower concentration of 0.1% retinol, it also contains vitamin E that's an antioxidant but also makes the cream a little more rich and helps to support the skin barrier."

James Welsh

1.58M subs

✓Yay

"It's kind of great for first-time users of retinol because it's super gentle and they paired it with ingredients like panthenol and adenine as well as obviously vitamin E to help not only with the anti-aging process but to also add hydration, elasticity, a bit of soothing as well. You also avoid all that dryness that some people can get from using a retinol for the first time. I really, really like this. I think I'm going to keep this one out because I don't know why I stopped using it to be honest with you."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream?

A retinol cream with 0.1% retinol concentration, formulated with panthenol, vitamin E, and other moisturizing ingredients.

Is COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream worth it?

Yes. All 5 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 83%.

What is COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream's Guru Score?

COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream holds a Guru Score of 83%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected.