COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid for oily acne-prone skin
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Willow Bark Water Bark
Niacinamide
Betaine Salicylate
Panthenol
Superior
- SuperiorOily Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products for oily acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Excellent suitability for your oily skin and acne concerns as betaine salicylate and niacinamide work synergistically to deeply exfoliate pores and regulate sebum production. Willow bark water further supports this action by providing gentle exfoliation and anti-inflammatory benefits. Panthenol and sodium hyaluronate ensure adequate hydration, preventing over-drying and maintaining skin comfort. The formula is well-balanced with a focus on effective pore clearing and oil control, making it a near-perfect match for your skin's needs.
- The safety profile is excellent, with no reported risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like panthenol and sodium hyaluronate.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but before your final moisturizer step.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product directly onto clean, dry skin for the best results against breakouts.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use a daily SPF since exfoliating makes skin more sensitive to the sun.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 9.4k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently describe this product as a gentle yet effective chemical exfoliant that clears clogged pores and blackheads without the harsh dryness associated with typical acne treatments. While results often require patience (2-4 weeks), the majority of reviewers report significantly smoother skin texture, reduced sebaceous filaments, and a noticeable "glow" after consistent use.
Highlights
Gentle and non-irritating Mostly Mentioned
- “No stinging or irritation”
- “Good for sensitive skin”
- “Doesn't dry out face”
- “Mild enough for daily use”
Clears blackheads/pores Often Mentioned
- “Melted blackheads right off”
- “Deep hard spots gone”
- “Pores appear smaller”
- “Pull out congestion”
Smoothes skin texture Often Mentioned
- “Skin feels like glass”
- “Got rid of bumps”
- “Texture is smoother”
- “Soft and glowing”
Hydrating formula Sometimes Noted
- “Feels moisturizing”
- “Not stripping like Stridex”
- “Leaves a dewy finish”
- “Hydrating for an acid”
Slow results Sometimes Noted
- “Takes a month to work”
- “Not an overnight fix”
- “Requires patience”
- “Effects are subtle at first”
Sticky finish Sometimes Noted
- “Leaves a sticky film”
- “Feels tacky until absorbed”
- “Shiny residue”
- “Takes time to dry down”
Initial purging Rarely Noted
- “The purging is real”
- “Broke out at first”
- “Whiteheads surfaced initially”
- “Skin got worse before better”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “Smells like burning rubber”
- “Chemical odor”
- “Weird funky smell”
- “Scent is off-putting”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, walmart.com, sokoglam.com, stylekorean.com, skinsort.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid one of the best fits for oily acne-prone skin?
This product is an exceptional match because betaine salicylate and niacinamide deeply clear out pores and control oil, while willow bark water calms the skin. Panthenol and sodium hyaluronate keep the skin comfortable by providing plenty of moisture so it does not dry out.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Betaine salicylate and niacinamide make this exfoliant a great fit because they deeply clear out pores and keep oil under control. Willow bark water gently helps with this while calming the skin, and panthenol along with sodium hyaluronate adds moisture to prevent it from feeling too dry.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does BHA do for oily acne-prone skin?
BHA helps clear up breakouts and oiliness by gently clearing out pores, which keeps acne-prone skin smooth and balanced. It is unlikely to cause irritation and may even improve overall skin hydration while reducing excess shine.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Willow Bark Water do for oily acne-prone skin?
Willow Bark Water helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing oiliness and soothing irritation. It is unlikely to cause harsh side effects and may support a clearer, more balanced complexion.
Experimental Dermatology, 2019Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine as a treatment step, used once a week to start. Niacinamide in the formula may help control oil and blemishes, while soothing ingredients keep your skin comfortable.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
Using this exfoliant with retinol can easily lead to dryness and redness, so it is best to use them on different nights or keep them well-separated in your routine. When you do use both, apply the exfoliant first on clean skin, let it sink in, and follow with your moisturizer before applying retinol to help keep skin comfortable.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin feels comfortable and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often. This approach helps clear your pores and control oil while keeping your skin calm.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for your oily, acne-prone skin and is unlikely to clog pores or cause major breakouts. You may experience a low chance of initial purging as it clears out your pores, while soothing ingredients like panthenol help keep your skin comfortable.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Bioactive lipid nanocarriers co-loaded with willow bark or ivy leaf extracts and UV-filters provided pronounced UVA photoprotection up to an SPF-equivalent value of 13 and a maximum in vivo skin hydration effect of 97% when prepared with pomegranate oil.
Nanomaterials, 2022A topical serum containing 0.5% salicin applied twice daily reduced visible signs of skin aging, including wrinkles and tactile roughness, in 30 female subjects over 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020
Ingredients
Willow Bark Water Bark, Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Hydroxide
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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