If you're a CosRX devotee, you've probably already had your eye on the CosRX box ($46, valued at $65.50) at Memebox.com.
Maybe you've even longingly clicked 'Add To Cart' a few times, waiting for the perfect moment when you need to indulge in some retail therapy after a long week. Wait, who does that? Nobody does that... ;)
Well, today I wanted to give you an idea of whether or not I believe the box is worth the spend. That is, does it make dollars and sense to shell out for the CosRX box?
CosRX: Intro to the Brand
CosRX stands for "Cosmetics + RX (prescription)". This is an online-only Korean brand that basically went from zero to hero overnight after it was discovered that... not only do they formulate their products with "clean" ingredients, their products are also formulated with the correct concentrations and pH levels to be effective on the skin, and produce R. E. S. U. L. T. S.
Their cult products include their BHA exfoliant, their AHA exfoliant, their Galactomyces (yeast) products, their Hyaluronic Acid products, and their Snail Mucin essence, their Honey Ceramide cream, and their acne shriveling pimple patches.
CosRX Box* Unboxing
I received the CosRX Box through the Memebox brand ambassador program, which I joined in mid-August. With the box, came this little insert that tells you just a little bit more about the brand and the products that came with the box.
The $46 gets you 5 full-size products. Descriptions from Memebox.
COSRX Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser Full-Size 150ml ($11)
This effective creamy cleanser removes impurities and prevents future breakouts. It gently exfoliates skin and removes white and black heads. Good for all skin types, but especially helpful for troubled skin. Formulated with salicylic acid and tea tree to exfoliate and promote cell turnover, and target inflammation.
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner Full-Size 150ml ($14)
This toner reveals smoother skin and targets uneven skin texture. It’s formulated with vitamins and mineral water to nourish the skin. The lightweight moisturizing formula promotes optimal skin absorption.
COSRX BHA Summer Pore Minish Serum 100 ml ($15)
A balancing serum that keeps sebum production at healthy levels. It’s formulated with White Willow and gentle enough for all skin types. It contains naturally exfoliating ingredients that will improve the appearance of the skin.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Full-Size 100ml ($20)
This power essence is packed with skin care nutrients that your skin is sure to appreciate. It’s made with 96% all natural snail mucin extract that will transform your skin by moisturizing and transforming damaged skin.
COSRX Blackhead Silk FingerBall 12 pcs ($5.50)
A finger ball made of 100% natural silk. Used to massage and gently exfoliate the skin to reveal healthy, youthful skin.
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| The fingerballs are in stealth mode, hiding behind the snails (that's a sentence I never thought I'd type) |
The main draw of this box to me is the fact that one could (depending on ones' skin type and sensitivities) choose to use just the products in this box as one's entire skincare routine. Seriously, how awesome would it be to just fork over the $46, dust your hands off, and call it a day.
All that it's missing is a sunscreen, and an oil-based cleanser to use at night, if you wear makeup.
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| The products arranged in order of application |
Full Product Reviews
So the box is pretty attractive at first glance, but let's take a deeper look at each of the products in the box.
COSRX Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Cleanser Full-Size 150ml
Is this a keeper? It could work for hardier skin types that don't mind using high pH cleansers, but for a dry skin person like me this is hands down, a NO. It strips my skin and makes it feel tight.
Pics or it didn't happen Link to full review here. Hit Ctrl + F 'CosRX' because it's a looooong post with a bunch of other cleanser reviews.
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner Full-Size 150ml
Is this a keeper? Absolutely, it does what it says it would. It brings down the pH of your skin; it also balances the oil on the skin while adding light hydration. I didn't see much in the way of anti-aging results boosting however.
Pics or it didn't happen Link to full review here. It's a detailed review that hones in on the product from an anti-aging perspective. I'd actually already purchased one of these on my own before Memebox sent another one to me, so I'll be giving this away at the end of the post.
COSRX BHA Summer Pore Minish Serum 100 ml
Is this a keeper? Maybe. According to Miss Laven of Berries In The Snow, this is a keeper. She rated it 9.5 out of 10 possible marks on her blog here for its pore minimizing abilities. Sucks to be me, because alcohol is listed as the second ingredient, and I can already picture my skin flaking. It does not tolerate simple alcohols well.
Full Ingredients List: Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, Ethyl Hexanediol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Arginine, Panthenol, Carbomer, Zinc Oxide, Xanthan Gum, Menthol
Pics or it didn't happen Because my skin performs poorly with alcohol, a full review can be read at Berries In The Snow. Boo-urns... can you tell I'm a bit bummed about it? Well, my loss is your all's gain because I'll be giving it away at the end of this post. I also just wanted to mention that this serum is not a chemical exfoliator. The concentration of salicylic acid (salicin through willow bark water) is too low and the pH (6-7) too high to increase cellular turnover.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Full-Size 100ml
Is this a keeper? Hell yes! This essence definitely moves the needle when it comes to hydrating (boosting your skin's water content) and moisturizing (boosting your skin's oil content). It features good ol' faithful snail secretion filtrate as the first ingredient, and the oozey texture is just super unique and fun.
Pics or it didn't happen Link to full review here.
COSRX Blackhead Silk FingerBall 12 pcs
Is this a keeper? YES. As someone who cringes at the mention of physical exfoliation, I LOVE this gentle all silk exfoliator. TMI time! It dislodges all of my sebaceous filaments and gently whisks away an infinitesimal layer of dead skin cells without causing ANY redness whatsoever. Before Memebox sent this box to me, I'd already purchased a full set of these.
Pics or it didn't happen Link to full review here.
Get it Blast! Memebox doesn't sell these individually any longer. But if you think the CosRX box is worth it, you can get 12 of these that way. $46 for the box.
So, is it worth it? Can we werk it?
I don't think this box is worth it for me personally, because I can only use 3 of the products. Maybe, 3.5 if I bucked up and gave the Pore Minish Serum a try.
Since this box retails for $46 and the 3.5 products that work for my skin type are currently on offer for a grand total of $41, it would make more sense for me to purchase my favorites separately.
I do think that the box is worth it if...
- You can use products with alcohol in them without breaking out or drying out.
- You know your taste in cleansers is different than mine, and think you'd like the Salicylic Exfoliating Cleanser. Hey, to each their own. Skincare is always Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV).
- You REALLY want to try the fingerballs (because then you could tell everyone you own fingerballs) and you like most of the products in the box
- You have someone with the opposite skin type with whom you can split the box.
- You've never bought anything from Memebox before, and you can take advantage of the 20% off discount that's offered on first time purchases. If you're thinking, "Wait, that's me!", shop through this link to take advantage of the discount.
Giveaway!
I'm giving away 2 full size CosRX products! You can enter from now until the end of day Saturday for a chance to win a $25 prize package that includes the...
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner Full-Size 150ml
COSRX BHA Summer Pore Minish Serum 100 ml
Soooooo... what'd you think? Does the skincare math add up to you? Are you interested in the CosRX box? Why or why not?
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links and press samples. Press samples are marked with an asterisk; samples were kindly sent with no obligation to review, and certainly no obligation to review positively. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, see my disclaimer and policies.
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