BHA Blackhead Power Liquid — Reddit Reviews
by COSRX
Updated November 10, 2026
Redditors love its gentle pore-clearing BHA; studies find niacinamide acne results uncertain.
What the community says
A thin, leave-on betaine salicylate exfoliant for blackheads, closed comedones, and rough texture. Redditors find it beginner-friendly and less drying, but overuse can trigger redness, peeling, and breakouts. Studies found niacinamide acne results uncertain.
What this means for you
What people love
- Gentler BHA starting point for beginners
- Consistent use clears blackheads and closed comedones
Watch out for
- Can trigger breakouts or irritation
- Overuse causes dryness, peeling, and sensitivity
- Results plateau or feel too weak for stubborn congestion
Product details
Use caution
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
What TikTok says
From 10 TikTok videos6 sponsored, marked with outlined numbers
Sponsored creators say the product is gentle and helps blackheads and rough texture 123. One unsponsored creator says it suits sensitive skin, though results took longer to appear 4. Sponsored creators report visible results within days 56, and one sponsored creator says it fits a routine with hydrating products 7. Unsponsored creators also warn to check for counterfeit bottles 8.
Sponsored means the creator disclosed a brand partnership or the video ran as a paid ad.
Videos open on TikTok in a new tab.
How to use it
From Reddit routinesWhat the science says
Niacinamide has some evidence for helping acne, with most studies finding it helped and often working about as well as clindamycin applied to the skin 1. For dark spots, all four direct tests found it faded patches better than a moisturizer without it, which is some evidence 2. Anti-aging results also have some evidence, with both direct studies reporting firmer skin and fewer wrinkles 3. The skin barrier claim is not proven yet, resting on a single study that showed less water loss 4.
- Niacinamide for acne Some evidence · 17 studies
- Niacinamide for hyperpigmentation Some evidence · 17 studies
- Niacinamide for anti-aging Some evidence · 8 studies
- Niacinamide for skin barrier Not proven yet · 17 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 10
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid ingredients
Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 189 mentions across 26 threads
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid on Reddit, in one place — 26 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
“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
“CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid”
Positive
“Really good at getting rid of whiteheads and sebaceous filaments.”
Positive
“BHA in the AM”
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
Dupes & Alternatives
Paula's Choice
Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
Better for Texture / Pores
16 shared traits
930 mentions
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one
COSRX
Mentioned together in 11 threads
“CosRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and CosRX AHA Whitehead Power Liquid - Really good at getting rid of whiteheads and sebaceous filaments.”