BHA Blackhead Power Liquid — Reddit Reviews
by COSRX
Updated September 3, 2026
4% salicylic acid liquid exfoliant clears pores and blackheads; can irritate skin.
What the community says
A 4% salicylic acid liquid exfoliant favored on Reddit for gentle pore clearing and blackhead reduction. Studies found it improves acne as effectively as prescription treatments, but some users report irritation and redness. It's not ideal for sensitive or damaged skin barriers.
What this means for you
What people love
- Gentle, thin, hydrating formula that smooths skin and unclogs pores
- Contains 4% salicylic acid, effective exfoliant for acne and blackheads
- Less irritating than Paula's Choice 2% BHA despite higher acid percentage
Watch out for
- Can cause irritation, redness, and dryness especially if overused or on sensitive skin
- Purging and breakout risk if introduced too frequently or layered with strong actives
- Pump packaging often leaks or makes suction noise, causing frustration
Product details
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says vs. what Reddit says
What the science says
Salicylic Acid
Strong evidence for acne- It usually helped clear acne, though results were sometimes mixed and a few studies only showed it matched other treatments
- 30 studies back this, including large reviews
- It often worked about as well as tretinoin, adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, mandelic acid, Jessner's solution, and some light treatments
- Some studies found it worked better when used with other treatments than when those treatments were used alone
- Side effects were usually milder than with some comparison treatments, with less dryness and fewer side effects overall
Niacinamide
Some evidence for acne- It often improved acne, but many studies used niacinamide together with other ingredients
- 19 studies back this, including one large review
- Some studies found it worked about as well as clindamycin or benzoyl peroxide
- A few studies found niacinamide beat a placebo or no treatment for red, sore spots and blemishes
- No major side effects were reported in the findings given
What Reddit says
The why
Gentle BHA liquid exfoliates inside pores to clear blackheads and closed comedones, used 2-3 times weekly.
“You could try something like CosRx, BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
35 mentions for acne
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
Real Reddit threads — 156 mentions across 27 threads
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid on Reddit, in one place — 27 threads from r/tretinoin, r/AsianBeauty and 3 more, summarized.
“Would it be too much exfoliation if I also use Cosrx's BHA Power liquid in the morning”
Mentioned
“I saw that you're doing it too.”
Mentioned
“If anyone knows the answer, I would love to know!”
Mentioned
“CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and CosRX AHA Whitehead Power Liquid - Really good at getting rid of whiteheads and sebaceous filaments.”
Positive
“Really good at getting rid of whiteheads and sebaceous filaments.”
Positive
“I just got so used to applying these separately (BHA in the AM, AHA every other PM)”
Positive
“I used cosrx bha like 3 times a week”
Cautionary
“I took a break from everything in january because my skin started burning with products that never bothered me before”
Cautionary
“cosrx bha blackhead power liquid 3x a week - it broke me out and left my oily skin red and irritated instead of clearing pores”
Cautionary
“cosrx bha blackhead power liquid 3x a week - it broke me out and left my oily skin red and irritated instead of clearing pores”
Cautionary
“took me forever to dial it back”
Cautionary
“from piling on actives”
Cautionary
“or CosRx's power blackhead BHA serum.”
Cautionary
“These days, no AHA's for me, sparing with the BHAs”
Cautionary
“that stuff burns too.”
Cautionary
“If you can’t get Retin A, get Cosrx BHA blackhead power liquid.”
Positive
“Use it 2 or 3 times a week.”
Positive
“Cosrx Blackhead Power Liquid has helped with my nose pores.”
Positive
“(Occasionally) BHA: Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid followed up by Two in One Poreless Power Liquid”
Mentioned
“AM:”
Mentioned
“it does sooth skin and reduce appearance of pores a little”
Mentioned
Dupes & Alternatives
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Better for Texture / Pores
9 shared traits
749 mentions
