All scans / Exfoliants / COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

[ DEMYTHSKIN_SCORE · EXFOLIANT ]

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid ingredients: is it worth it?

High-evidence BHA workhorse with a minimalist, efficient base—excellent for blackheads if you tolerate salicylates.

[ SCAN_RESULT ]
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
— COSRX
BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Exfoliation
Does it work?
3.8/ 5.0
Modest
Is it safe?
4.6/ 5.0
Very Gentle
THE VERDICT[=] Fair Price$18.99

High-evidence BHA workhorse with a minimalist, efficient base—excellent for blackheads if you tolerate salicylates.

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Efficacy is driven by betaine salicylate in a leave-on format, which can provide meaningful keratolytic and comedolytic action when used consistently, while niacinamide and panthenol offer supporting brightening and barrier benefits rather than being the main actives. The short, humectant-rich vehicle is well-suited to deliver a single focused exfoliant without dilution by gimmicky ingredients, but the overall formula lacks additional anti-inflammatory or buffering lipids that could further improve tolerability at higher use frequencies.

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DemythSkin rates COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 3.8/5 for efficacy and 4.6/5 for safety.

GRADED AS EXFOLIANT — EXFOLIATION

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER

◄ DRIVES RESULTSWORKS AGAINST YOU ►
Doing the work · 4 ingredients
S

Gold Standards

High clinical proof | Skin-transformative
None detected
A

Reliable

Proven results
Betaine SalicylateNiacinamidePanthenolSodium Hyaluronate
B

Potent

Developing evidence
None detected
Not doing the work · 0 ingredients
C

Overhyped | Marketing

Hype | Limited data
None detected
D

Documented Irritants

Evidence-backed flag
None detected
FORMULATION BASE (6)⌄
WaterButylene Glycol1,2-HexanediolArginineXanthan GumEthyl Hexanediol
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄

Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol

WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (10)⌄
Water
Solvent
Butylene Glycol
Humectant and solvent
Betaine Salicylate
BHA exfoliant and keratolytic
Niacinamide
Skin brightening and barrier support
1,2-Hexanediol
Solvent and preservative booster
Arginine
pH adjuster and humectant
Panthenol
Soothing humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate
Hydrating humectant
Xanthan Gum
Viscosity modifier and stabilizer
Ethyl Hexanediol
Solvent and preservative booster

EXTERNAL CITATIONS

Salicylic acid / beta-hydroxy acids: Kligman AM et al. Salicylic acid as a peeling agent in acne treatment: comedolytic and keratolytic effects documented in clinical and histological studies.

Niacinamide: Huang TH et al. Topical niacinamide improves skin barrier function, reduces hyperpigmentation, and decreases inflammatory lesions in acne.

Panthenol: Proksch E et al. Topical dexpanthenol supports barrier repair and reduces irritation in compromised skin.

DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

[ 01 · FAQ ]

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid: common questions

Is COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid worth it?

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid scores 3.8 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Modest) and 4.6 out of 5.0 for safety (Very Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. High-evidence BHA workhorse with a minimalist, efficient base—excellent for blackheads if you tolerate salicylates.

What are the key active ingredients in COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid?

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid contains no gold-standard actives. Its formula is built on supporting and base ingredients rather than clinically transformative actives.

Does COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid contain fragrance or known irritants?

DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid. It scores 4.6 out of 5.0 for safety.

How is COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid scored?

DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.

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