COSRX

Retinol 0.5%.

Retinoids

About this product

A lightweight retinol serum formulated with 0.5% retinol and vitamin E, designed to support skin renewal and address signs of aging.

Full ingredients

Squalane, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Di-C12-13 Alkyl Malate, Retinol (0.5%), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, BHT, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Hydroxymethoxyphenyl Decanone, Water, Propanediol, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Sulfite, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Retinol (0.1%), Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate

Guru Score

79%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

3Gurus

3Yay

0Mixed

0Nay

What they liked

Moisturizing formula with vitamin E
Gentle enough for consistent, strategic use

What they flagged

May irritate sensitive skin

What the gurus are saying

This retinol earns praise for being moisturizing alongside its anti-aging work, thanks to the vitamin E in the formula. The standout caveat is that retinol at this strength is still potent enough that those with sensitive skin may want to start slowly, perhaps a few times a week, and build up as their skin adjusts. The gurus see it as an effective option for anyone ready to use retinol consistently but sensibly, rather than aggressively.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take April 2026

Best for

Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsDrops & dropper

Key actives

RetinoidVitamin ESqualane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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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.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Darnell Cox | 50+ Healthy Aging Expert

55k subs

✓Yay

"COSRX Retinol 0.5%. It's a super moisturizing retinol with vitamin E. It's a great product. It's going to be a little bit more for not for sensitive skin, but I think the new trend is not to thrash your skin like crazy, it's to use gentler products that are effective used consistently in a strategic way."

Nipun Kapur

408k subs

✓Yay

"If you are size try something and Korea skincare is the cosrx retinol 0.5% which is an red it has 0.5% concentration"

Translated from the guru's original language.

James Welsh

1.58M subs

✓Yay

"When I do use retinol, I like to use it in like a cream form or like a creamy serum form or with an oil. I've talked about this one before, the COSRX 0.5 retinol. This is a great starter retinol that counteracts that kind of dryness that you may experience with first time retinol users, using Squalane. And I also find that retinol in an oil or a moisturizer in general just feels a lot gentler on the skin. And I do find in general retinols from Korea seem to be gentler, they're not as potent, but they do seem to be a lot gentler."

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 0.5%?

A lightweight retinol serum formulated with 0.5% retinol and vitamin E, designed to support skin renewal and address signs of aging.

Is COSRX Retinol 0.5% worth it?

Yes. All 3 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 79%.

What is COSRX Retinol 0.5%'s Guru Score?

COSRX Retinol 0.5% holds a Guru Score of 79%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.