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BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Texture/PoresExfoliant

BHA Blackhead Power Liquid — Reddit Reviews

by COSRX

84nextscore102 verdicts

Updated October 18, 2026

Reddit’s pore-clearing BHA favorite; studies find niacinamide acne benefits, with irritation risk.

What the community says

Backed by 57 studies

A thin, leave-on betaine salicylate exfoliant for blackheads, closed comedones, and rough texture. Redditors often find it gentler and less drying, while research supports niacinamide for acne; frequent use still triggers redness, peeling, or breakouts for some.

From Reddit

Backed by 27 threads from r/tretinoin, r/AsianBeauty and 3 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • Thin, watery exfoliant that smooths skin overnight
  • Clears blackheads, whiteheads, and sebaceous filaments with consistent use
  • Contains niacinamide; studies support topical acne benefits

Watch out for

  • Overuse can leave skin red, sensitive, peeling, and breaking out
  • Breakouts and closed comedones happen for some users
  • Too drying for some dry or sensitive skin

Product details

Where to buy

What the science says vs. what Reddit says

  • Acne

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    On Reddit: Nose sebaceous filaments are a standout target, with one user saying this helped make them disappear. 36 mentions

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found niacinamide helped acne
    • It often cleared acne about as well as clindamycin when put on the skin
    • Some studies found it helped reduce red, sore spots and pimples
    • Some evidence is still uncertain because some studies found no clear difference
  • Hyperpigmentation

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 5 studies tested it on its own. See all 20 studies

    What the studies found
    • All 5 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots
    • On its own, it reduced facial darkening and made skin look lighter than a placebo
    • It also improved dark spots linked with sun damage in one clinical trial
    • Used with other ingredients, it faded patches more than niacinamide alone or the other ingredient alone
    • The side effects were similar and mild in the study that reported them
  • Anti-Aging

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 3 studies tested it on its own. See all 9 studies

    What the studies found
    • All 3 studies that tested it on its own found it helped with signs of aging
    • Studies found it improved the look of wrinkles and made skin seem firmer
    • Studies also found it helped dark spots and reduced redness and yellowing
    • One study found it helped skin hold more water and lowered water loss through the skin
    • Used with another ingredient, it improved dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and firmness more than niacinamide alone
  • Skin Barrier

    Not proven yet

    Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

    Niacinamide: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • The one study that tested it on its own found it helped the skin barrier
    • It lowered water loss through the skin
    • It increased the thickness of the outer skin layer

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

Real Reddit threads — 178 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”

Positive

“Really good at getting rid of whiteheads and sebaceous filaments.”

Positive

“BHA in the AM”

Positive

“the Cosrx purple toner (I think it's the blackhead one?)”

Positive

“Toner, I have the TirTir milky toner which is very hydrating, the Cosrx purple toner”

Positive

“I use em depending on the season and what my skin needs!”

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.”

Mentioned

“my skin was angrier from that than ... CosRx's power blackhead BHA serum”

Mentioned

“sparing with the BHAs”

Mentioned

“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

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Compared with

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