COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid for sensitive skin
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Willow Bark Water Bark
Niacinamide
Betaine Salicylate
Panthenol
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few products fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. 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
- Offers moderate exfoliation for your normal skin, as betaine salicylate helps decongest pores and smooth texture while niacinamide regulates melanogenesis.
- Panthenol and sodium hyaluronate provide supportive hydration and soothing benefits for your redness and irritation.
- The formula is safe for your sensitive skin, with no harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
How to apply
- Use your exfoliant PM once a week to help with redness and irritation. Start slowly and only increase frequency if your skin feels happy and comfortable.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner , but always before your moisturizer . This ensures the product absorbs properly into the skin.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin without rubbing . Let it absorb for a minute before moving on.
- Since your skin is sensitive , apply the exfoliant on completely dry skin for the best tolerance. This helps prevent any extra stinging or discomfort.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the delicate eye area .
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 a great fit for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit because betaine salicylate gently clears out pores and smooths texture while niacinamide helps even out your skin tone. It also includes panthenol and sodium hyaluronate to calm redness and keep your skin feeling comfortably hydrated without harsh irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for sensitive skin because betaine salicylate offers gentle exfoliation to smooth texture while niacinamide helps even out your skin tone. Panthenol and sodium hyaluronate add calming hydration and soothe redness, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients that could cause irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
What does BHA do for sensitive skin?
BHA helps clear breakouts and manage oil in sensitive skin without causing harsh irritation when used in gentle formulas. It is unlikely to trigger severe redness if chosen with a high level of skin comfort and safety in mind.
Clinics in Dermatology, 2009Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Willow Bark Water do for sensitive skin?
Willow bark water helps calm sensitive skin and keeps it feeling smooth and comfortable. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used in gentle skincare routines.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant goes in your evening routine once a week to gently smooth texture and decongest pores. The formula is safe for sensitive skin with soothing ingredients like panthenol, and you can slowly use it more often if your skin tolerates it well.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this exfoliant with retinol, but it is best to apply them on different nights to lower the likelihood of irritation. When using both in your routine, ensure you follow up with hydrating and soothing ingredients like panthenol to keep sensitive skin calm and comfortable.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this exfoliant once a week in your evening routine, and carefully use it more often only if your sensitive skin tolerates it well and shows good results. The formula features gentle ingredients like betaine salicylate and panthenol to help decongest pores and smooth texture without harsh irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores and has a low likelihood of causing initial purging for sensitive skin. It helps clear out pores and smooth texture while soothing irritation.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002Topical 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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