
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
“Topped off with a touch of AHA and BHA, the moisturiser delicately promotes a resurfaced end result, lifting dead skin from your face to leave it feel more breathable and radiant.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: betaine salicylate.
“Ac Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
arginine, betaine.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: arginine, cyclomethicone.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide, panthenol
“This formula not only treats acne, but also helps revitalize and recover the skin without any irritation through COSRX Centella AC-Rx Complex.”
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: niacinamide. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
In addition, this product contains betaine salicylate. It can help in reducing blemishes, even though it is less effective.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: zinc pca
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: asiaticoside.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: betaine salicylate, niacinamide
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
This product contains antioxidants (asiaticoside) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).


Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
A complex substance produced by honey bees. Can have anti-bacterial and some anti-oxidant effect. Is an allergen and can be irritating
More about Propolis extractTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but data on its effectiveness is lacking. While the majority of the content is plain water, it can contain some goodies like vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf waterGreen tea leaf water. Might have some minimal anti-oxidant effect
More about Camellia sinensis leaf waterUsed to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolAn emollient that helps soften the skin and creates a thicker product texture
More about Cetyl ethylhexanoateOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideA gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerA type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer
More about CyclomethiconeHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about BetaineA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolHelps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinUsed to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumUsed to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAn amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
More about ArginineA compound that combines zinc with a hydrating ingredient PCA. Might to be helpful against acne and clogged pores. Can help calm down inflammation in skin. Could be helpful in reducing the formation of free radicals in skin. Might help to reduce fine lines in wrinkles, but solid evidence is missing
More about Zinc pcaExfoliating acid, a "relative" of salicylic acid
More about Betaine salicylateCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidAn essential oil that can be irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties
More about Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oilAn active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (madecasosside, asiatic acid and madecassic acid), asiaticoside has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about AsiaticosideAn active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and madecassic acid) asiatic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Asiatic acidAn active compound of Centella Asiatica plant extract. In combination with other active compounds of Centella Asiatica extract (asiaticoside, madecasosside and asiatic acid), madecassic acid has been shown to be helpful in wound-healing, restoring skin barrier function and supporting collagen production in skin. It can, however, itself be irritating
More about Madecassic acidPropolis extract, Aloe barbadensis leaf water, Camellia sinensis leaf water, Butylene glycol, Cetyl ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, 1,2-hexanediol, Niacinamide, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Cyclomethicone, Cetearyl olivate, Betaine, Cetearyl alcohol, Sorbitan olivate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Allantoin, Xanthan gum, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Sodium hyaluronate, Arginine, Zinc pca, Betaine salicylate, Mentha haplocalix extract, Menthyl lactate, Citric acid, Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| COSRXAc Collection Lightweight Soothing MoisturizerYOUR PRODUCT | CiracleAnti-Redness K Cream | VT CosmeticsGarlic AC Reedle Shot Gel Cream 50ml | TOSOWOONGDexpanthenol Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 87% | 87% | 87% |
| Price | $15.00 | $22.80+$7.80 | $29.75+$14.75 | $19.10+$4.10 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 13 | 9 of 13 | 9 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Adenosine | Salicylic Acid | Madecassoside |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
"COSRX - Ac Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer" has a good moisturizing formula. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Panthenol, arginine, betaine, cyclomethicone and glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Emollients in this formulation (cyclomethicone, arginine, cetearyl alcohol and cetyl ethylhexanoate) help to reduce the moisture loss from the skin. They also soften the skin surface and relieve the feeling of dryness and tightness.
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "COSRX" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
The product retails from 21.90A$ up to 31.20A$ in Australia, from 15.44$ up to 29.07$ in the United States, from 11.45£ up to 28.00£ in the United Kingdom and from 28.99CA$ up to 49.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 17 studies and safety reviews.
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