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COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream.

COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream
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Retinoids
About this product

A 0.1% retinol cream from the Korean skincare brand COSRX, a retinoid aimed at fine lines and uneven skin tone, formulated with vitamin E and panthenol for moisture.

Full ingredients

Water/​Aqua/​Eau, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Glycerin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Trehalose, Panthenol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, 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, Tocopherol, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract, Retinol, Allantoin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Wax, Tocotrienols, Stearic Acid, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Palmitic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sorbitan Stearate, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, BHT

More from COSRX 46 products · Guru Score 88% →

Guru Score

84%

Yay

5 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

Low irritation is the headline here: the gurus describe this 0.1% retinol as gentle, even for very sensitive or easily irritated skin. Its 0.1% strength matches most drugstore formulas for effectiveness, and the vitamin E and panthenol make the cream feel rich and soothing, which suits dry skin and people new to retinoids. For first-timers, the sandwich technique, with moisturizer applied before and after the retinol, may be worth trying.
Synthesized from 5 expert reviews · most recent take July 2026

What they liked

  • Doesn't cause breakouts
  • Lightweight texture
  • Hydrating formula

What they flagged

  • Can cause dryness and flakiness

Best for

Type

RetinoidsCream

Key actives

RetinoidVitamin E

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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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
CYoung
CYoung
95k 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."
Nipun Kapur
Nipun Kapur
412k 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."
Translated from the guru's original language.
All 5 takes from Nipun Kapur
Effective Hyperpigmentation Treatment for Acne Prone Skin | Clear Your Skin Fast | Nipun Kapur
"You can go with a Korean option which is 0.1% Cosrex"
Translated from the guru's original language.
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"
Translated from the guru's original language.
30 Day Pigmentation Challenge: How to Fade Dark Spots & Pigmentation at Home | Nipun Kapur
"Retinol by Cosrx a mild retinol"
Translated from the guru's original language.
Best Anti Aging For Dry Sensitive Skin | Nipun Kapur
"The CeraVe 0.1% Retinol Cream is actually [...] what you're going to get started with. You pretty much get it everywhere in the world. [...] If you're a first-time user who is using retinol for the very first time and you have dry sensitive skin, I highly recommend you go with the sandwich technique. You will first apply moisturizer, let it absorb, then apply retinol, let it absorb, then apply moisturizer."
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."
Translated from the guru's original language.
No BS Beauty
No BS Beauty
89k subs
✓Yay
"The CeraVe Retinol 0.1% is super impressive in my opinion, really great product and pretty affordable. Aside from retinol it also has some other really nice impressive ingredients: beta carotene, sorbic acid, and 30 ethyl sorbic acid and then a bunch of other goodies. No fragrance in it. The ingredients in here are great. I really enjoyed the cream and I really like the packaging, the metal tube, so it's protected from exposure to light and air. It's wonderful."
Dr. Jenny Liu
Dr. Jenny Liu
324k 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."
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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."
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
James Welsh
1.58M subs
✓Yay
"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."
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All 2 takes from James Welsh
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"I used solidly for about three months before they launched it, and I really, really enjoyed it. As someone with very easily irritated skin, this was amazing. I think also because of the Panthenol, it kind of like really helped soothe my skin. The product description says, "Low irritation with 0.1% pure Retinol", which is kind of rare to see in K-beauty. More and more brands are kind of starting to use pure Retinol."
ad ACTUALLY AMAZING K-Beauty Advent Calendar - Purito, COSRX, Biodance - Style Korean 2024
"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 0.1% retinol cream from the Korean skincare brand COSRX, a retinoid aimed at fine lines and uneven skin tone, formulated with vitamin E and panthenol for moisture.

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 84%.

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

COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream holds a Guru Score of 84%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream best for?

COSRX Retinol 0.1% Cream is generally suited to mature skin.

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