COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

COSRX

BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

face exfoliator

Added Last edited

Fit by skin type

General, ingredient-based — not your personalized match.

Dry
46%
Combination (dry)
46%
Balanced
67%
Combination (oily)
97%
Oily
97%

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10
Ingredients
5
Benefits
3
Actives
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The COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a gentle yet effective exfoliant that contain 4% BHA which gets rid of blackheads and sebum in the pores, prevents sebum from turning into blackheads by oxidation, and helps the skin rebuild its moisture barrier. The willow bark extract and niacinamide also help to brighten the skin with gentle exfoliation, while sodium boosts hydration.

Key Insights

Benefits

5
Anti-Acne
Anti-Aging
Hydration
Pore Minimizer
Soothing

Active Ingredients

3
Hyaluronic acid Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) Vitamin B5 (panthenol)

Full Ingredients

10 total
SALIX ALBA BARK WATER BUTYLENE GLYCOL BETAINE SALICYLATE NIACINAMIDE Vitamin B3 (niacinamide) 1,2-HEXANEDIOL ARGININE PANTHENOL Vitamin B5 (panthenol) SODIUM HYALURONATE Hyaluronic acid XANTHAN GUM ETHYL HEXANEDIOL

About BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Overview

BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a watery-light exfoliator from COSRX, a brand based in Korea. The formula is built mainly around hydration. The ingredient list runs to 10 ingredients, each broken down in full below.

Texture and finish

By its ingredient list the formula reads as very light — essentially a water-and-humectant base with little emollient weight. With almost no emollient load it should absorb quickly and finish close to matte. Hydration is handled by Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate and Panthenol, humectants that pull water into the upper layers of skin rather than sealing it there.

What the formula does

Hydration: High. Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin, and here that comes from Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Panthenol and Sodium Hyaluronate.

Soothing: Moderate. Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity, and here that comes from Panthenol, Niacinamide and Sodium Hyaluronate.

Barrier support: Moderate. Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity, and here that comes from Niacinamide and Panthenol.

Oil control: Moderate. Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine, and here that comes from Niacinamide.

Who it suits

On richness alone it suits Combination (oily) and Oily skin best, and is the least natural fit for Dry and Combination (dry) skin. Nothing in the list is flagged as a common irritant, which is a reasonable starting point for reactive skin — though a patch test is still the only way to know.

What it does not target

The formula contributes little or nothing on antioxidant protection, cell renewal and firmness signalling. That is not a fault — most products are not meant to do everything — but if one of those is your priority, this is not the product that will address it.

What is not in it

Reading the full list, the formula is fragrance-free, essential-oil-free, no drying alcohol, paraben-free, silicone-free and microplastic-free. Those claims come from the ingredient list itself, not from the packaging.

Where it fits in a routine

Use it in the evening. In a routine it goes after cleansing, before serums. Start at once or twice a week and build up only if skin stays comfortable. Wear sunscreen the next morning — fresh exfoliation raises UV sensitivity.

This summary is generated from the product's ingredient list. It is not a review, it is not the brand's own marketing claims, and it does not replace advice from a dermatologist.

Pros and cons

Drawn purely from the ingredient list

Pros

  • No fragrance or declared allergens
  • No essential oils
  • No drying alcohol
  • Silicone-free
  • No microplastics
  • Strong humectant content for hydration
  • No common irritants flagged in the list
  • No recognised malassezia (fungal acne) triggers

Which skin types it suits

Scored on how rich or light the formula reads from its INCI order.

Suitable for

  • Combination (oily) skin
  • Oily skin

May suit

  • Balanced skin

Less suitable for

  • Dry skin
  • Combination (dry) skin

Sensitive skin

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Skin concerns

Based on the curated benefits documented for this product's ingredients.

Helps with

  • Hydration 4 ingredients

    Attracts and locks in moisture to keep skin plump and dewy

  • Anti-Aging 3 ingredients

    Boosts collagen and cell turnover to reduce fine lines and wrinkles

  • Soothing 3 ingredients

    Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation for sensitive skin

  • Anti-Acne 1 ingredient

    Targets breakouts by reducing bacteria and unclogging pores

  • Pore Minimizer 1 ingredient

    Tightens and refines the look of enlarged pores

Does not target

Blackhead Reducing Dark Spot Fading Evens Skin Tone Oil Control Smooths Bumpy Skin

None of the ingredients in this formula are associated with these benefits. This is not unusual, as most products are designed to target a limited number of concerns.

Key ingredients

The actives, UV filters and benefit-carrying ingredients in this formula, in the order they are listed.

Butylene Glycol

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)

Hydration
Betaine Salicylate

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Betaine Salycilate is the product formed by the reaction of Betaine with Salycilic Acid

Anti-Acne
Niacinamide Vitamin B3 (niacinamide)

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**

Soothing Anti-Aging Pore Minimizer
Arginine

6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

L-Arginine

Hydration Anti-Aging
Panthenol Vitamin B5 (panthenol)

7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol

Hydration Soothing
Sodium Hyaluronate Hyaluronic acid

8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt

Hydration Anti-Aging Soothing

Formula analysis

Each axis is scored from the ingredients present and how high up the list they sit.

Hydration High

Ingredients that pull and hold water in the upper layers of skin

Barrier support Moderate

Lipids and repair signals that support skin barrier integrity

Antioxidant support None

Ingredients that mop up free radicals from UV and pollution

Oil control Moderate

Ingredients that moderate sebum or absorb shine

Brightening Moderate

Ingredients that act on uneven tone and post-inflammatory marks

Soothing Moderate

Ingredients aimed at visible redness and reactivity

Cell renewal None

Retinoids, acids and enzymes that speed surface turnover

Firmness signalling None

Peptides and growth factors that signal for collagen support

Active and supporting ingredients

"Active" here means an ingredient carrying a recorded active type or a recognised UV filter.

Active ingredients (3)

Supporting ingredients (7)

Solvents, emollients, texture agents and preservatives — the formula that carries the actives.

Salix Alba Bark Water Butylene Glycol Betaine Salicylate 1,2-hexanediol Arginine Xanthan Gum Ethyl Hexanediol

What is and is not in it

Read from the full ingredient list. A brand's own claim may differ.

Free from

  • Fragrance-free
  • Essential-oil-free
  • No drying alcohol
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Microplastic-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Dye-free
  • Oil-free
  • No animal-derived ingredients

What to layer it with

Judged by the same curated rules our routine checker uses. It reads the ingredients, not the label.

Compatible with

  • Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)
  • Retinoids (retinol, retinal)
  • AHAs (glycolic, lactic)
  • BHA (salicylic acid)
  • PHAs (gluconolactone)
  • Benzoyl peroxide
  • Azelaic acid
  • Copper peptides
  • Bakuchiol
  • Niacinamide
  • Hyaluronic acid
  • Ceramides
  • Signal peptides
  • Panthenol
  • Sunscreen

Nothing in this formula belongs to a group our rules can put in conflict, so it layers freely. Order still matters — thinnest texture first.

Where it fits in a routine

Evening
  1. Cleanse
  2. Exfoliate
  3. Treat
  4. Moisturise

This product is the "Exfoliate" step.

  • Start at once or twice a week and build up only if skin stays comfortable.
  • Wear sunscreen the next morning — fresh exfoliation raises UV sensitivity.

Safety and suitability

Flags to check, not verdicts. None of this is medical advice — if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or treating a skin condition, ask a doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not clearance — ask your doctor about anything you use daily.
Fungal acne (malassezia)
No ingredient here is a recognised food source for malassezia.
Sensitive and reactive skin
No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Ingredients by function

Most ingredients do more than one job, so these counts add up to more than the 10 ingredients on the label.

3
Active

Changes how skin behaves rather than how it feels

3
Solvent

Dissolves and carries everything else

2
Humectant

Draws water into the upper layers of skin

2
Texture agent

Sets the thickness, spread and stability of the formula

1
Soothing

Calms visible redness and irritation

1
Exfoliant

Loosens or dissolves dead surface cells

1
Preservative

Keeps the product free of microbial growth

1
Surfactant

Lifts oil and dirt, or holds oil and water together

Ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient on the label, in order, with what it does and roughly how much of it is likely to be there.

1 Salix Alba Bark Water Soothing
Estimated level
30–80%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Soothing

1st on the list, which puts it at an estimated 30–80% of the formula.

Salix Alba Bark Water is an aqueous solution containing volatile oils obtained by the distillation of the bark of the White Willow, Salix alba L., salicaceae

2 Butylene Glycol Humectant
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Texture agent, Solvent

2nd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Butane-1,3-diol (CAS No. 107-88-0/ EC No. 203-529-7) (R)-(-)-butane-1,3-diol” (CAS No. 6290-03-5/ EC No. 228-532-0)

Hydration
5 scientific references
  • CosmeticsInfoorg, Accessed March 2021, ePublication
  • US Food and Drug Administration Code of Federal Regulations</em>, Accessed March 2021, ePublication
  • International Journal of Toxicology, May 2011, pages 5S-16S
  • Skin Research and Technology, November 2007, pages 417-24
  • Journal of the American College of Toxicology, September 1985, pages 223-248
3 Betaine Salicylate Exfoliant
Estimated level
5–20%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Exfoliant, Preservative

3rd on the list, which puts it at an estimated 5–20% of the formula.

Betaine Salycilate is the product formed by the reaction of Betaine with Salycilic Acid

Anti-Acne
7 scientific references
  • Skin Purging vs Breakout – What Does Skin Purging Look Like?
  • What to Do When You Have Acne and Dry Skin
  • How to Minimize the Look of Post-Acne Marks
  • How to Manage Dehydrated, Oily, Acne-Prone Skin
  • Help for Breakouts on the Hairline and Scalp
  • The Best Ways to Treat Acne and Sensitive Skin
  • Say Goodbye to Body Acne
4 Niacinamide Active
Estimated level
2–10%
Confidence
Moderate — INCI order above the 1% line
Roles
Active

4th on the list, which puts it at an estimated 2–10% of the formula.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a gentle skincare active that repairs the skin barrier, calms redness, controls oil and evens tone at 2–5%. Official IUPAC name: **3-Pyridinecarboxamide**

Soothing Anti-Aging Pore Minimizer
15 scientific references
  • International Journal of Dermatology, February 2021, pages 166-173
  • Biomolecules & Therapeutics, July 2019, pages 562-569
  • Experimental Dermatology, February 2019, pages 15-22
  • Dermatologic Therapy, September 2017, ePublication
  • Journal of Investigative Dermatology, May 2017, page S116
  • International Journal of Pharmaceutics, March 2017, pages 158-162
  • Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, May 2016, pages 145-152
  • Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, July 2015, pages 405-412
  • Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, June 2014, pages 311-315
  • International Journal of Pharmacy, January 2013, pages 192-201
  • Dermatoendrocrinology, July 2012, pages 308-319
  • International Journal of Toxicology, September 2005, pages 1-31
  • Dermatologic Surgery, July 2005, pages 860-865
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, October 2004, pages 231-238
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, April 2004, pages 88-93
5 1,2-hexanediol Solvent
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

5th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

6 Arginine
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line

6th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

L-Arginine

Hydration Anti-Aging
6 scientific references
  • Biobased Surfactants (Second Edition), 2019, pages 413-445
  • Scientific Reports, February 2016, pages 1-10
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review, October 2012, pages 1-35
  • Journal of Advanced Research, July 2010, pages 169–177
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, April 2005, page 139
  • Wound Repair and Regeneration, November-December 2003, pages 419-423
7 Panthenol Active
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Active

7th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Butanamide, 2,4-dihydroxy-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethyl-, (2R)-; dl-Panthenol

Hydration Soothing
7 scientific references
  • The Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Accessed April 2021, ePublication
  • International Journal of Cosmetic Science, December 2019, pages 534-547
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, January 2019, pages 346-354
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review, March 2018, pages 1-51
  • The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, August 2017, pages 173-180
  • Journal of Cosmetic Science, August 2011, pages 361-370
  • American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, Volume 3, 2002, pages 427-433
8 Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Humectant, Active

8th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Hyaluronic acid, sodium, salt

Hydration Anti-Aging Soothing
5 scientific references
  • Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und Verwandte Gebiete, December 2017, pages 987-993
  • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, July 2014, pages 277-287
  • Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, October 2012, pages 20-23
  • DermatoEndocrinology, July-December 2012, pages 253-258
  • Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, September 2011, pages 990-1000
9 Xanthan Gum Surfactant
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Surfactant, Texture agent

9th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

Xanthan gum

10 Ethyl Hexanediol Solvent
Estimated level
under 1%
Confidence
Moderate — listed below the 1% line
Roles
Solvent

10th on the list, below the 1% line — present at under 1%, which for most ingredients is the level they work at.

2-ethylhexane-1,3-diol

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Frequently asked questions

What ingredients are in BHA Blackhead Power Liquid?

SALIX ALBA BARK WATER, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BETAINE SALICYLATE, NIACINAMIDE, 1,2-HEXANEDIOL, ARGININE, PANTHENOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, XANTHAN GUM, ETHYL HEXANEDIOL.

What are the active ingredients in BHA Blackhead Power Liquid?

NIACINAMIDE, PANTHENOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE.

How do I use BHA Blackhead Power Liquid?

After cleansing, use in the skin, toner, or essence step. If used as toner, make sure the liquid is fully absorbed before applying next step skincare products. Recommend to use 2-3 times in a week, and gradually build up the usage according to the skin condition. If used during the day, please be sure to apply sunscreen.

What skin types is BHA Blackhead Power Liquid good for?

Judged on how rich the formula reads from its ingredient list, it suits Combination (oily), Oily skin best. It is the least natural fit for Dry, Combination (dry) skin.

Is BHA Blackhead Power Liquid good for sensitive skin?

No ingredient in this formula carries a common-irritant flag, making it a reasonable option for reactive skin. A patch test is still recommended, as individual skin reactivity varies.

Is BHA Blackhead Power Liquid fungal acne safe?

No ingredient in this formula is a recognised food source for malassezia, the yeast behind fungal acne.

Can I use BHA Blackhead Power Liquid while pregnant?

Nothing in this formula is on the standard pregnancy-caution list. That is not medical clearance — check anything you use daily with your doctor or midwife.

Is BHA Blackhead Power Liquid fragrance free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is fragrance-free.

Does BHA Blackhead Power Liquid contain alcohol?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is no drying alcohol.

Is BHA Blackhead Power Liquid silicone free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is silicone-free.

Does BHA Blackhead Power Liquid contain essential oils?

No. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is essential-oil-free.

Is BHA Blackhead Power Liquid paraben free?

Yes. Reading the full ingredient list, this formula is paraben-free.

What can I layer with BHA Blackhead Power Liquid?

It layers well with Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), Retinoids (retinol, retinal), AHAs (glycolic, lactic), BHA (salicylic acid), PHAs (gluconolactone), Benzoyl peroxide.

When should I apply BHA Blackhead Power Liquid?

Use it in the evening, after cleansing, before serums.

How many ingredients does BHA Blackhead Power Liquid have?

It lists 10 ingredients, of which 3 are recorded as actives.

Who makes BHA Blackhead Power Liquid?

COSRX, a brand based in Korea.

Brand
COSRX
Country
Korea
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