K-BeautyIntel
Honest ingredient research and real prices for Korean skincare.

COSRX Low pH vs. SKIN1004 Centella Foam

An antibacterial, tea-tree-and-BHA formula against a simpler, fragrance-free pure centella cleanser, with a real 55% gap in cost per mL between them.

Research-basedBy Nur → Last verified 9/25/2026
Criteria
COSRX
Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
SKIN1004
Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam
Price$14.00$17.00
Price / unit$0.09/mL$0.14/mL
Size150 mL125 mL
Price checked9/12/20269/12/2026

Both are foam cleansers, but they're built for different jobs entirely: one is an antibacterial, exfoliating daily cleanse, the other a calming, zero-active option, and the price gap between them is real, not marginal.

Why compare these two specifically

The price difference here is the most notable feature: SKIN1004 costs over 50% more per mL than COSRX, for a formula with no active ingredient at all. That's worth examining directly rather than assuming the pricier option is doing more.

Price per milliliter

COSRX runs $0.09 per milliliter ($14.00 for 150mL). SKIN1004 runs $0.14 per milliliter ($17.00 for 125mL). SKIN1004 costs roughly 55% more per mL.

Antibacterial exfoliation vs. pure calming

COSRX builds around betaine salicylate (BHA) alongside tea tree leaf water, positioned for oily and acne-prone skin. SKIN1004 skips actives entirely, centering on Madagascar-sourced centella asiatica alongside sodium hyaluronate and cacao extract, positioned for gentle, soothing daily use.

The price gap tracks fragrance status, not formula complexity

SKIN1004's higher per-mL price isn't buying more active ingredients, its list is actually shorter than COSRX's. What it does buy is confirmed fragrance-free status. COSRX contains fragrance via its tea tree leaf water. If exfoliation isn't the goal, the premium on SKIN1004 is really a fragrance-free premium, not a formula-depth one.

Our take

If you're oily or acne-prone and want antibacterial exfoliation at the lower price, COSRX is the clear pick. If you want a purely calming, zero-active, fragrance-free cleanser and the higher per-mL cost isn't a concern, SKIN1004 delivers that specifically, not a more complex formula.

COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser: $0.09/mL. Antibacterial tea tree plus BHA exfoliation, the lower-cost pick for oily or acne-prone skin.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam: $0.14/mL. Confirmed fragrance-free with no active exfoliant, a roughly 55% premium over COSRX for a simpler, purely calming formula.

For the double-cleanse method and what low pH actually means, see how to double cleanse, or browse the rest of our cleanser coverage.

Shop these picks

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COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser$0.09/mL

Price checked 9/12/2026

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam$0.14/mL

Price checked 9/12/2026

Frequently asked

Which is cheaper, COSRX Low pH or SKIN1004 Centella Foam?

COSRX, at $0.09 per milliliter versus SKIN1004's $0.14 per milliliter, roughly 55% cheaper per mL.

Does COSRX Low pH or SKIN1004 Centella Foam contain an active exfoliant?

COSRX does, via betaine salicylate (BHA). SKIN1004 has no active exfoliant.

Is COSRX Low pH or SKIN1004 Centella Foam fragrance-free?

SKIN1004 is confirmed fragrance-free. COSRX contains fragrance via its tea tree leaf water.