COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid for acne-prone skin
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Willow Bark Water Bark
Niacinamide
Betaine Salicylate
Panthenol
Superior
- SuperiorCombination Skin Fit
- SuperiorEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
One of the best products for acne-prone skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 combination skin and acne-prone skin as betaine salicylate and niacinamide work synergistically to deeply exfoliate pores and regulate oil production.
- Panthenol and sodium hyaluronate further support hydration and skin barrier function, enhancing the overall efficacy for your skin concerns.
- The formula is safe for your skin, containing soothing ingredients and avoiding harsh components.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant PM once a week to start, and gradually increase if your combination skin tolerates it well. Always apply SPF the next morning to protect your clear skin.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer step. This ensures the treatment targets blemishes effectively.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing. Let it absorb for a minute before moving to the next step.
- Apply the exfoliant on clean, dry skin to help control breakouts safely. Since your skin is not sensitive, this dry application method ensures good product absorption.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use. Do not mix this exfoliant with other strong acids in the same routine.
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 acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment is one of the best fits because betaine salicylate and niacinamide work together to deeply clean out pores and balance oil, while panthenol and sodium hyaluronate keep skin hydrated and calm. Its safe formula avoids harsh components, making it very gentle on breakout-prone skin.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017BioMed Research International, 2020
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Betaine salicylate and niacinamide make this exfoliant a great fit for your acne-prone skin because they deeply clean out pores and help control oily shine. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and willow bark water also keep your skin calm and hydrated without harshness.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does BHA do for acne-prone skin?
BHA helps clear acne-prone skin by reducing both inflamed breakouts and clogged pores, while keeping the skin calm and comfortable. It works by targeting oil production and soothing irritation, making it effective for preventing and managing blemishes.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Willow Bark Water do for acne-prone skin?
Willow Bark Water helps calm acne-prone skin by gently clearing pores and keeping oily shine under control without causing irritation. Products of this type need soothing botanical extracts and oil-balancing ingredients to effectively manage breakouts while keeping skin smooth and comfortable.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine as a treatment step, used once a week to start. You can carefully use it more often if your skin tolerates it well and sees good results.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol by alternating nights or applying them on different days rather than layering them together, which helps prevent dryness and irritation. Using them separately allows both ingredients to work effectively while keeping your skin calm and balanced.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and carefully increase the frequency if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. Betaine salicylate and niacinamide help clear out pores and manage oil, while soothing ingredients like panthenol keep your skin comfortable.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores, but it may cause a low likelihood of initial purging as it deeply cleans out pores and regulates oil. Soothing ingredients like panthenol and niacinamide are included to help keep skin calm while it works.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017BioMed Research International, 2020
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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 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, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010A 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, 2005Topical 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, 2002Moisturizer 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, 2000
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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