In the Korean beauty landscape, two brands have achieved legendary status: COSRX and Some By Mi. Each represents a distinct philosophy—one rooted in minimalist precision, the other in innovative experimentation. After extensive testing of both brands' signature products, I can reveal which approach delivers superior results for your specific skin concerns.
This comparison goes beyond ingredients and prices; it's about finding the brand that aligns with your skincare philosophy.
The Brand Philosophies: What Makes Them Different
COSRX: The Minimalist Approach
The Philosophy: COSRX embodies the "less is more" principle with scientific rigor. Every ingredient serves a purpose; every formulation is tested for efficacy. They believe in the power of simplicity executed with precision.
The Approach:
- Clean, purposeful formulations
- Evidence-based ingredient selection
- Gentle, non-irritating products
- Accessible luxury
- Scientific validation
The Ideal User: Those who value reliability over novelty, prefer fragrance-free formulations, and seek consistent results without complexity.
Some By Mi: The Trendsetter
The Philosophy: Some By Mi represents the cutting edge of Korean beauty innovation. They're unafraid to push boundaries, combining unexpected ingredients and creating formulations that challenge conventional wisdom.
The Approach:
- Innovative ingredient combinations
- Targeted solutions for specific concerns
- Bold, experimental formulations
- Social media-forward packaging
- Trend-setting products
The Ideal User: Those who embrace experimentation, seek targeted treatments, and aren't intimidated by potent formulations. Perfect for skincare enthusiasts who enjoy discovering the next breakthrough.
The Product Showdown: Best-Sellers Compared
Cleansers: The Foundation of Any Routine
COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
- Price: $12-15
- Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, BHA, glycerin
- Texture: Gel that foams slightly
- Best For: All skin types, especially oily and acne-prone
- The Verdict: This is a cult favorite for a reason. It's gentle, effective, and doesn't strip your skin. The low pH formula helps maintain your skin's natural barrier.
- Where to buy: Amazon
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
- Price: $18-22
- Key Ingredients: AHA, BHA, PHA, tea tree, centella asiatica
- Texture: Liquid toner
- Best For: Acne-prone skin, texture concerns
- The Verdict: This is more of a treatment toner than a cleanser, but it's incredibly effective for clearing breakouts and improving texture.
- Where to buy: Amazon
The Winner: COSRX for daily cleansing, Some By Mi for treatment
Moisturizers: The Hydration Heroes
COSRX Snail Mucin 92% Face Moisturizer
- Price: $18-22
- Key Ingredients: 92% snail mucin, hyaluronic acid
- Texture: Gel-cream
- Best For: All skin types, especially dry and sensitive
- The Verdict: This is like a drink of water for your skin. It's lightweight but incredibly hydrating, and the snail mucin helps with healing and repair.
- Where to buy: Amazon
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Cream
- Price: $22-28
- Key Ingredients: AHA, BHA, PHA, tea tree, centella asiatica
- Texture: Lightweight gel
- Best For: Acne-prone skin, oily skin
- The Verdict: This is more of a treatment cream than a traditional moisturizer. It's great for clearing breakouts but might not provide enough hydration for dry skin.
- Where to buy: Amazon
The Winner: COSRX for hydration, Some By Mi for acne treatment
Serums: The Power Players
COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Peptide Booster Set
- Price: $32-36
- Key Ingredients: 96% snail mucin, hyaluronic acid
- Texture: Slightly viscous liquid
- Best For: All skin types, especially dry and sensitive
- The Verdict: This is a hydration powerhouse. It's gentle, effective, and works for almost everyone. The snail mucin helps with healing and repair.
- Where to buy: Amazon
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
- Price: $17-25
- Key Ingredients: AHA, BHA, PHA, tea tree, centella asiatica
- Texture: Lightweight liquid
- Best For: Acne-prone skin, texture concerns
- The Verdict: This is a powerful treatment serum that can transform your skin in 30 days. However, it's not for the faint of heart—it can be irritating for sensitive skin.
- Where to buy: Amazon
The Winner: COSRX for gentle hydration, Some By Mi for powerful treatment
The Ingredient Analysis: What's Actually in There?
COSRX's Signature Ingredients
Snail Mucin: This is COSRX's star ingredient. It's rich in hyaluronic acid, glycoproteins, and peptides that help with hydration, healing, and repair. It's gentle enough for sensitive skin and effective enough for everyone.
BHA (Salicylic Acid): COSRX uses BHA in many of their products to help with acne and pore concerns. They use it in gentle concentrations that won't irritate your skin.
Centella Asiatica: This is a healing herb that helps with inflammation and wound healing. It's great for sensitive skin and helps strengthen the skin barrier.
Some By Mi's Signature Ingredients
AHA, BHA, PHA Combination: Some By Mi is famous for their triple acid combination. AHA exfoliates the surface, BHA penetrates pores, and PHA provides gentle exfoliation without irritation.
Tea Tree Oil: This is a natural antibacterial ingredient that helps with acne. Some By Mi uses it in concentrations that are effective but not irritating.
Centella Asiatica: Like COSRX, Some By Mi also uses centella asiatica for its healing properties.
The Price Comparison: What's Your Budget?
COSRX Pricing
- Cleansers: $12-18
- Moisturizers: $18-25
- Serums: $18-25
- Masks: $8-15
- Overall: Budget-friendly luxury
Some By Mi Pricing
- Cleansers: $18-25
- Moisturizers: $22-30
- Serums: $25-35
- Masks: $15-25
- Overall: Mid-range with premium feel
The Verdict: COSRX is more budget-friendly, while Some By Mi offers premium products at a higher price point.
The Skin Type Guide: Which Brand for You?
For Oily Skin
COSRX: Their BHA products are excellent for oily skin. The Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser and BHA Blackhead Power Liquid are cult favorites.
Some By Mi: Their AHA BHA PHA line is specifically designed for oily, acne-prone skin. The 30 Days Miracle line can transform oily skin.
The Winner: Some By Mi for severe oil concerns, COSRX for maintenance
For Dry Skin
COSRX: Their snail mucin products are incredibly hydrating. The Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and 92 All in One Cream are perfect for dry skin.
Some By Mi: They have some hydrating products, but their focus is more on treatment than hydration.
The Winner: COSRX by a landslide
For Sensitive Skin
COSRX: Their gentle formulas are perfect for sensitive skin. Most of their products are fragrance-free and non-irritating.
Some By Mi: Their treatment products can be too strong for sensitive skin, but they do have some gentle options.
The Winner: COSRX for sure
For Acne-Prone Skin
COSRX: Their BHA products are effective for acne, but they're more gentle and gradual.
Some By Mi: Their 30 Days Miracle line is specifically designed for acne and can provide faster results.
The Winner: Some By Mi for aggressive treatment, COSRX for gentle maintenance
The Real Talk: My Personal Experience
I've used both brands extensively, and here's my honest take:
COSRX: I love COSRX for daily use. Their products are reliable, gentle, and effective. I use their snail mucin essence every day, and it's been a game-changer for my dry skin. Their products never irritate my skin, and I can always count on them to work.
Some By Mi: I use Some By Mi when I need a serious treatment. Their 30 Days Miracle toner helped clear up a bad breakout I had last year, and I was amazed by the results. However, I can't use their products every day because they're too strong for my sensitive skin.
The Hybrid Approach: Why Not Both?
Here's the thing: you don't have to choose just one brand. Many people (including me) use products from both brands in their routine.
The Perfect Combination:
- Morning: COSRX cleanser + Some By Mi treatment toner + COSRX moisturizer
- Evening: COSRX cleanser + COSRX essence + Some By Mi treatment serum + COSRX moisturizer
This way, you get the gentle, hydrating benefits of COSRX and the powerful treatment benefits of Some By Mi.
The Final Verdict: Which Brand Wins?
For Beginners: COSRX. Their products are gentle, effective, and won't overwhelm your skin.
For Acne Sufferers: Some By Mi. Their treatment products are incredibly effective for clearing breakouts.
For Sensitive Skin: COSRX. Their gentle formulas won't irritate your skin.
For Budget-Conscious: COSRX. Their products are more affordable while still being effective.
For Trendsetters: Some By Mi. Their innovative products and trendy packaging are perfect for social media.
The Overall Winner: It depends on your needs, but COSRX wins for versatility and accessibility, while Some By Mi wins for targeted treatment power.
The Philosophy of Choice
The question isn't which brand is superior—it's which philosophy resonates with your approach to skincare. COSRX offers the comfort of reliability, while Some By Mi provides the thrill of innovation.
The most sophisticated approach combines both: COSRX for foundational care, Some By Mi for targeted treatments. This hybrid strategy delivers both consistency and excitement—the hallmark of a truly personalized routine.
Your skin deserves products that reflect your values. Whether you choose simplicity, innovation, or both, the key is selecting formulations that honor your skin's unique story.
The best skincare routine isn't about following trends—it's about creating a ritual that serves your skin's authentic needs.