COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream Versus COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil
Updated on June 19, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Trehalose
HumectantPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glyceryl Polymethacrylate
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingRetinol 0.3%
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Polysilicone-11
Sodium Sulfite
Preservative
Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPropanediol
SolventOryza Sativa Bran Wax
Skin Conditioning
Tocotrienols
Skin ConditioningStearic Acid
Cleansing
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningElaeis Guineensis Oil
Emollient
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Beta-Carotene
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Myristic Acid
Cleansing
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Lauric Acid
Cleansing
Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Glutathione
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Dimethicone, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Carbomer, Retinol 0.3%, Tromethamine, Glyceryl Stearate, Polysilicone-11, Sodium Sulfite, Daucus Carota Sativa Root Extract, Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Propanediol, Oryza Sativa Bran Wax, Tocotrienols, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Isostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Elaeis Guineensis Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Myristic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Lauric Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Limnanthes Alba Seed Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glutathione
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
This ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideGlycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.
Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.
As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.
Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.
Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.
This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.
Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.
Learn more about Glycine Soja OilTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolRetinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.
Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.
Read about Tretinoin
Learn more about RetinolWe don't have a description for Tocotrienols yet.
Elaeis Guineensis Oil comes from the African Palm tree. This tree is native to Western and Southwestern Africa.
This oil is rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin E. Antioxidants may help with anti-aging.
The Vitamin E and fatty acid content give palm oil a skin-hydrating property. Emollients help trap moisture in by creating a film on the skin.
Palm oil is created by either squeezing the fruit or crushing the kernel at the center of the fruit. In the 1800s, archaeologists discovered a 6000 year old Egyptian tomb containing palm oil.
Palm oil is controversial due to its social and environmental impacts. Several organizations are working to make palm oil harvest more sustainable, such as the RSPO.
Learn more about Elaeis Guineensis OilIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX The Retinol 0.3 Cream 51 ingredients
COSRX The Retinol 0.5 Oil 10 ingredients
Bought this for my face but saw zero results. Now I'm using this for my uner eyes.
Broke me out
I have oily and acne prone skin and my face was on the road to recovery. I thought adding a retinol was a good idea and they marketed that this retinol oil is good for any skin type even though it is oily. It broke me out and gave me a scar within a week. It gave me an acne that was deep inside of my skin. I wouldnt recommend it to oily and acne prone skin people.
