The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel — Reddit Reviews
by COSRX
Updated October 13, 2026
Studies support glycolic acid for acne; Redditors report smaller pores and glow.
What the community says
This is a strong, weekly wash-off acid peel built around glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid. Redditors report smoother, clearer, glowier skin, and studies support acne improvement, but sensitive users may find the tingling and irritation too much.
What this means for you
What people love
- Acid-heavy formula with 2% salicylic acid; research supports glycolic acid for acne
- Visible pore reduction and glow after weekly use
Watch out for
- Very strong; tingling and irritation make sensitive skin a risky match
- Smoother skin does not guarantee clearer acne
Product details
Concerns
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Skin type data limited
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
Anti-Aging
Strong evidence
Glycolic Acid: 17 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies
What the studies found
- Most studies found glycolic acid helped with signs of aging
- It often improved fine lines, roughness, and overall skin texture
- Some studies found it also helped discoloration and age spots look better
- It often worked about as well as other anti-aging treatments, though not always better
- The most common side effects were stinging, burning, and irritation
Acne
Some evidence
Salicylic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 34 studies
Both ingredients for acne
Salicylic Acid Some evidence
- Most studies found salicylic acid helped clear acne
- It often reduced pimples, blackheads and whiteheads
- It usually worked about as well as other common acne treatments
- Used with other acne treatments, it sometimes cleared acne better than those treatments alone
- Side effect results were very uncertain in one large review
Studied at 0.5–30%this product: 2%
Glycolic Acid Some evidence
13 studies tested it on its own. See all 22 studies
- Most of these studies found it helped clear acne
- It often reduced blackheads and whiteheads, and some studies also found fewer red, sore spots
- It cleared acne more than a placebo in some studies
- It worked about as well as some other acne peels and creams in several studies
- The most common side effects were peeling and other early skin irritation
Hyperpigmentation
Some evidence
Glycolic Acid: 16 studies tested it on its own. See all 25 studies
What the studies found
- Most studies found glycolic acid helped fade dark spots or patches
- It often worked better when used with other treatments than those treatments alone
- Some studies found it improved melasma and post-acne dark marks while also improving skin texture
- The most common side effects were irritation, discomfort, and short-lived skin reactions, with rare lasting light spots
Texture/Pores
Not proven yet
Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.
Glycolic Acid: 4 studies tested it on its own. See all 5 studies
On Reddit: Ten-minute weekly rinse-offs leave skin clearer and glowier, with pores appearing smaller. 4 mentions
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 7 mentions across 7 threads
COSRX The AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel on Reddit, in one place — 7 threads from r/AsianBeauty and r/koreanskincare, summarized.
“If you are not sensitive, the Cosrx AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 peel is elite.”
Positive
“Think of it as a light at home chemical peel.”
Positive
“My pores appear much smaller and my skin is clearer and glowier.”
Positive
“The Cosrx AHA BHA LHA PHA 35 Peel.”
Positive
“It is STRONG but it has reduced my pores and made my skin glow more than any other product I’ve tried.”
Positive
“I use it once a week for 10 minutes, then rinse it off.”
Positive
“the Cosrx AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 peel”
Positive
“For products, prescription tazarotene, azelaic acid, and oral spironolactone and the Cosrx AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 peel.”
Positive
“Cosrx AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 peel”
Positive
“Have you tried the Cosrx AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 peel?”
Positive
“I really like it”
Positive
“Have you used it?”
Positive
“Cosrx AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel (27.98% AHA, 2% BHA, 5% PHA, and 0.02% LHA/30ml): I like this product!”
Positive
“Used once a week, I feel like my skin does feel smoother...but I still get acne so idk haha.”
Positive
“Second mention of the cosrx 23 serum being great in this thread!”
Positive
“Cosrx AHA BHA PHA LHA 35 Peel”
Positive
“It makes a massive difference in my pores and my skin is so much clearer”
Positive
“It’s very strong so I only use it once a week”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Better for Texture / Pores
5 shared traits
835 mentions
