COSRX : AC Collection Review

It's no secret that I am a fan of Cosrx. I have been repurchasing a lot of their products since I started my K-beauty journey. Given that this brand is a cult favorite because of their good track record when it comes to anti-acne products. I was esctatic when Stylekorean collaborated with this brand to give us the Cosrx AC collection that is suited for acne prone skin. 

Here are the common ingredients of all these products:

Centella Asiactica: This ingredients soothes, repairs and heals the skin by minimizing the appearance of pores and blemishes. It also helps stimulate collage production.

Asiaticoside: Promotes wound healing, strengthen collagen formation and has anti-aging properties.

Madecassic acid: Promotes production of collagen.

Cosrx AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser

Most of my favorite cleansers are made by Cosrx. This cleanser has a pH level of 9 to 9.5. It comes in a 150ml tube-type container and has a very mild scent of lavender. Most people are put off by the salicylic acid ingredient as it can be too drying. It did not dry out my face even if I use it everyday. It helps in removing most of my makeup and sunscreen residues. Surprisingly it did not strip my skin's moisture. When I first used it, I felt a little bit of tightness. People who have dry skin will definitely like this product.

Before washing with
AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser

After washing with
AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser

Ingredients:
Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Myristic Acid, PEG-32, Potassium Hydroxide, Palmitic Acid, Lauric Acid, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Lauramide DEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Potassium Cocoate, Salicylic Acid, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Disodium EDTA

Rating: I will give this cleanser 4 out of 5 because it contains ingredients that are not suitable for oily skin such as stearic acid,myristic and lauric acid.

AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild 

I have a combination of oily and dry skin. But lately, I have been breaking out due to over-exfoliation. I wanted to try products that will balance my skin PH level while fighting these pesky pimples. The one that I am looking forward to use is this Calming liquid mild. 

These products claim that it provides the same treatment as an essence that will help reduce redness and inflammation. I have been incorporating this product for my day and night routine. The toner itself is very mild and has a strong scent of tea tree oil. It does not sting and the consistency is like an essence, light upon application and is easily absorbed. It removes impurities like dirt and excess oil. 

It does lessen the redness and it helps in reducing the size of my pimples. I find my face glowing and refreshed the next day. This one has 85% green tea water listed as it's first ingredient.It comes in a 125 ml frosted bottle with twist-type cap. The liquid consistency is like water, transparent and clear. This toner is hydrating and a gentler version of the Cosrx BHA Skin Returning A-sol. Plus points that this toner is alcohol free.

Rating: Giving this toner 5 out of 5 as it is hydrating,mild and does not aggravate my existing pimples. Promotes wound healing and minimizes break outs. I wish this product comes in a bigger bottle.

Ingredients:
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Betaine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Gluconolactone, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Glycerine, Panthenol, Allantoin, Arginine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid

AC Collection Acne Patch

I can't remember how many times I repurchased the original Cosrx pimple patch. It's my go-to acne patch whenever I have an active break out. I fell in love with this upgraded version as I can wear it during daytime without it being too obvious. This acne patch comes with 26 hydrocolloid patches that contains centella asiatica. 

This acne patch comes in three different sizes. It includes nine small acne patch 9x13mm, nine medium acne patch 11x16mm and eight large acne patch 15x23mm. The patch is oval-shaped and highly adhesive with a thinner border. This patch saves me time and can target multiple acne areas. If you are acne-prone like me, you will understand that it's quite hard to put multiple patches on a lot of problematic areas. 

This patch really helps in covering multiple pimples as it is now bigger and longer. Plus points that it can now cover the break outs on my jaw line and hair line as well. It deflates the pimple and sucks the gunk effectively. I used this on a pimple that was about to pop out on my forehead and the next day, it reduced in size.

Ingredients:

Carboxymethylcellulose sodium, Polyisobutene, Rosin, Polybutene, Mineral oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Polyuethane film

Rating: I give this acne patch 5 out of 5  as it helps soothes and cover multiple break outs. This has become my favorite acne patch and plus points that  this patch is wearable during daytime.  

AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum

This serum comes in a 40ml clear plastic bottle with dropper. The consistency is like water, transparent and clear like the toner. The bottle of the serum is not heavy and can be brought when traveling. This serum claims to calm active breakouts & red spots, clear acne & dark spots, promotes faster skin recovery from scar and uneven texture. No tacky feeling upon application. 

It has a mild scent of tea tree oil. Since this serum is easily absorbed, I used this on my day time routine. Putting this before makeup application give me a more hydrated base. I find it is best to pair it with the toner, as it heals most of my active breakout much faster. It does calm down the redness and minimizes scarring.

Ingredients:
Propolis Extract, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Allantoin, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Sucrose distearate, Glyceryl Strearate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dipropylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, rh-Oligopeptide-1v

Rating:I give this serum 4 out of 5 as it calms down the redness and hydrates my skin. I still get break outs but this serum does help with faster wound recovery. Like most serums, this one requires long-term use to fully see the result

AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream

This spot cream comes in a white tube with a pointed applicator. It reminds me of the Cosrx centella cream but in a tube form. It has a creamy texture that leaves a white cast so you have to blend it well and apply a very thin layer if you are going to use it on your day time routine. I prefer using this on my night time routine coz I don't really have much time to blend in the morning. It has a mild tea tree scent like the toner and serum. It works well in reducing the size of the small pimples. For cystic acne you have to apply this for a longer period of time. It has a brightening effect on the area that you applied it in. 

Rating:I give this spot cream 4 out 5 because it helps in reducing inflammation. However, it leaves a white cast when you apply it in the morning. It's hard to control the amount of product that is going to be dispensed due to the packaging

                 Ac Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer

 It has a creamy consistency and comes in an 80ml white tube with twist-type cap. It has aloe vera leaves extract, propols extract and green tea that helps in moisturizing and soothing the skin. It has a non-sticky feeling upon application. Easily absorbed by the skin and light weight. It helps reduce the redness of my skin.

Ingredient:

Propolis 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 (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid

Rating:I give this moisturizer 4 out 5 because it is light weight and reduce the redness of my face. Would not recommend this moisturizer for cold weather or those who live in an area with cold climate as you need a much more heavy moisturizer for that. 

Progress:

I still have active break outs but I can say that it's now manageable.  I was able to prevent a cystic acne to form on my chin. It was actually starting to hurt and I thought by the next day it will become bigger. But after three days, the size was reduced. The pimple on my cheeks was very red on the first day and due to continued usage of the AC collection, it helped in reducing the redness. You can also see that I look more hydrated in the second picture. I think with long-term use my desired result will be achieved.

Where to buy and how much?

 You can find great deals  and value for your money K-Beauty products at www.stylekorean.com

AC Collection Ultimate Spot Cream $22 or P1146
AC Collection Blemish Spot Clearing Serum 40ml $27 or P1407
AC Collection Lightweight Soothing Moisturizer 80ml $90 or P990

AC Collection Calming Foam Cleanser 150ml $14.30 or P745

AC Collection Calming Liquid Mild 125ml $24.20 or P1261