Snailed It! COSRX and Alfred Coffee Brew Up a K-Beauty Collab in LA
K-Beauty favorite COSRX has joined forces with Alfred Coffee to help Angelenos "s-nail" their morning routines. Coffee in one hand, free skincare in the other, I dropped by to get my hands on their two bestselling formulas.
IMAGE GALLERY
Snail mucin isn’t new, but it’s having a moment. This gooey ingredient has gone from niche curiosity to must-have staple thanks to viral Korean skincare brand COSRX. Now, in a strategic move that is equal parts clever and culturally fluent, COSRX is bringing its viral skincare line to the Los Angeles coffee scene.
Throughout the month of July, COSRX has partnered with Alfred Coffee to give away two of their best-selling skincare products every Wednesday morning at select locations. This is an unlikely crossover that combines two of my own sacred daily rituals: morning skincare and morning coffee – in a way that feels right at home within LA’s beauty-focused culture.
A Skincare Collab that Speaks LA
So, why skincare and coffee? Well, in LA, beauty isn’t just an industry – it’s a culture. From skincare to makeup to wellness, Angelenos embrace routines that go beyond mere aesthetics. These daily rituals are personal, expressive, and part of our identity. And for many (including myself), the morning coffee run is a critical part of that ritual.
More than just a coffee spot, Alfred is a definitive LA hangout spot; a creative space where identity, routine, and community overlap – and that’s exactly why I think this collaboration works. COSRX, with its viral K-Beauty status (nearing cult-favorite), fits naturally into this world. This collab meets people where they already are: coffee in hand, ready to start the day.
Giveaway Details
Each Wednesday during the month of July, COSRX is popping up at select Alfred Coffee locations across Los Angeles to give away full-size versions of their two best-sellers:
- Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: A 96% snail secretion serum designed to hydrate, repair skin damage, and claims to improve elasticity. The brand rep at Alfred recommended using this first as part of your treatment step, followed by the second.
- Advanced Snail 92 All-in-One Cream: A rich, occlusive moisturizer with 92% snail mucin to lock in hydration and support the skin barrier.
Giveaways start promptly at 8:00AM and are available to the first 200 in-store customers. Just buy any coffee or drinks and you’ll walk away with both products. If you want to snag yours, plan to get there early!
Participating Locations
- Brentwood - 11908 San Vicente Blvd
- Coldwater - 12930 Ventura Blvd
- Marina Del Rey - 4625 Admiralty Way
- Melrose Place - 8428 Melrose Pl
- Ventura Place - 12077 Ventura Pl
- Westwood - 1154 Westwood Blvd
About COSRX: Unconventional Hero Ingredients
COSRX has been on every skincare enthusiast’s radar since at least 2020. After going viral on TikTok for its unusual choice of hero ingredient: snail mucin, COSRX is now one of the most recognizable K-Beauty brands trending among US shoppers. As a #1 Bestseller on Amazon, and new staple in influencer routines, COSRX is no longer just a niche favorite, but a mainstream player with cult-like credibility.
With skin-friendly ingredients & technologies, we want to provide a better tomorrow for our customers.
-COSRX Brand Slogan
Founded in 2013, COSRX’s brand name is a combination of “cosmetics” and “prescription,” reflecting its commitment to results-driven formulations. Their products are known for their minimal-packaging, being ingredient-focused, and also surprisingly affordable, with a clear philosophy: to help customers find simple, effective solutions based on individual skin needs. From breakouts, to sensitivity, to hydration, COSRX products are designed with a single hero in mind: snail mucin.
Wait — Snail what?!
Snail mucin, also listed as “snail secretion filtrate” is exactly what it sounds like: a naturally secreted fluid from snails that is rich in water, glycoproteins, enzymes and peptides. Applied within skincare, snail mucin is prized for its ability to hydrate, calm inflammation, support repair, improve skin texture — the list goes on — and COSRX was one of the very first K-Beauty brands to bring this eyebrow-raising ingredient to the US market.
Although it may sound off-putting at first, users rave about nearly immediate results and “glass skin” that this secretion provides. According to COSRX, snail mucin is harvested ethically by allowing snails to rest and roam on a mesh filter which is used to collect the secretion in a quiet, dark environment with no harm, chemicals, or forced stimulation. CCOSRX is cruelty free, although not officially certified in the US.
Experience at the Collab
I stopped by my local Alfred to see the activation for myself. In true Lex fashion (on-time), I arrived just before 8:00am, joining a small but eager line of fellow skincare girlies. Based on the conversations around me, it was clear that I wasn’t the only one stopping in specifically for this freebie.
When it got to the counter, I placed my usual order: a 16oz cold brew with a splash of non-fat milk and two pumps of sugar-free vanilla. The baristas kept things flowing smoothly, sliding bright yellow COSRX sleeves onto each cup, stamped with the tagline: S-NAILED IT! And for customers ordering more than one drink, they also handed out matching travel trays, which was a small but thoughtful touch.
After checking out, customers were directed toward the entrance where the modest, but well-placed COSRX display lined up rows of giveaway products, branded info cards, and a friendly brand rep to answer questions about the the products and ingredients. It was a simple setup that worked — everyone left with coffee in one hand, skincare in the other. An ideal LA morning.
Final Thoughts
All in all, this collab just made sense. COSRX reached beauty lovers where they were and offered something extra for Alfred regulars and first-timers alike. The $40 value of the giveaway was a pleasant surprise (we love full-sized giveaways!) but the real win was in how naturally this partnership fit into LA’s beauty culture.
Whether you’re already a snail mucin fan, or simply skincare curious, it was an easy, fun way to try something new and maybe make your Wednesday morning a little bit brighter.