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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid versus Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US .

Last updated on December 05, 2023. Published on November 19, 2020

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 1 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, brightening skin, oily skin and reducing pores

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Exfoliator South Korean Brand South Korea
Exfoliator American Brand United States

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

Price

Shop

Buy BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

Starts at $12.69
Shop

Buy Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

Starts at $15.60

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
ph level
4.85
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

BHA
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening

Concerns

Drying
Irritating
Rosacea
Eczema
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 2.

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US contains this as ingredient number 3.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

60% are loved or liked
30% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
0% have no rating yet
25% are loved or liked
38% have mixed ratings
25% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid 10 ingredients

3.9 /5
from 24 reviews
tsmeu's Avatar'
Dec 21, 2023

This was only the second BHA product that I ever tried and got this because I just don't enjoy the skin feel of the Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid (which I used on/off for years), and this was recommended by fiddysnails who has a similar...

This was only the second BHA product that I ever tried and got this because I just don't enjoy the skin feel of the Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid (which I used on/off for years), and this was recommended by fiddysnails who has a similar skin type and concerns to mine. I do like that this leaves no residue but I just don't find this to be very effective.

I have dry combo skin and very rarely deal with breakouts - the only reason I use BHA is to help keep the pores on my nose and chin clear of sebacious filaments. I also use peptides in my routine so I don't want a BHA that I need to use every day, as I haven't been able to find conclusive information on whether acids really make peptides less effective and for now choose to use them on alternate days. I find that this product when used every other day just isn't enough to keep my pores clear of gunk. Maybe my skin just responds better to salicylic acid than to betaine salicylate which this uses.

Light
No Scent
Doesn't Work
sword's Avatar'
Dec 20, 2023

Gently Exfoliates
I decided to try a leave-on exfoliator rather than an exfoliating cleanser because I noticed I kept getting irritation from exfoliating cleansers. This Cosrx one is really gentle and pleasant. It takes a few minutes...

Gently Exfoliates
I decided to try a leave-on exfoliator rather than an exfoliating cleanser because I noticed I kept getting irritation from exfoliating cleansers. This Cosrx one is really gentle and pleasant. It takes a few minutes for it to absorb into my skin, but afterwards I get very little irritation and my skin texture and pore appearance have definitely improved.

Great Value
Light
No Scent
Works Well
kyniwi's Avatar'
Jan 28, 2024

I love this! It’s such a mild exfoliant but it does the job. It’s not irritating and honestly can be somewhat hydrating (as hydrating as an exfoliant can be). It’s not fungal acne safe BUT it has not broken me out in that way so far....

I love this! It’s such a mild exfoliant but it does the job. It’s not irritating and honestly can be somewhat hydrating (as hydrating as an exfoliant can be). It’s not fungal acne safe BUT it has not broken me out in that way so far. I’ve seen a lot of improvement in my texture and redness since I started using this!

Great Value
Light
Absorbs Well
Works Well

Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant 8 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 33 reviews
MichelleR's Avatar'
Nov 26, 2023

Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only...

Viral for a REASON
This product is popular for a reason. Back in the day [showing my age] we used to use Noxzema and Stridex for our acne. But those products were so harsh, burned, and didn't produce any results. This product not only clears pores but is also nourishing [suspect it is the green tea]. After I apply, my skin doesn't feel raw or sensitive. The formulation of this product is FANTASTIC. Truly viral for a reason. It will forever be in my skincare collection.

Region: US
lonelydeath's Avatar'
Apr 21, 2024

I have put off on using this product for so long due to the price, but it is worth it. I have tried so many products with salicylic acid and this one is the first to work. It has an oil consistency, but does not feel oily at all.

I have put off on using this product for so long due to the price, but it is worth it. I have tried so many products with salicylic acid and this one is the first to work. It has an oil consistency, but does not feel oily at all.

Expensive
Hydrating
Light
Absorbs Well
No Scent
Works Well
Region: US
MSP's Avatar'
Jun 17, 2023

Holy grail since my late teens
It has been my holy grail since 18. Now at 26, I have switched to retinol and Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector (Vit C + BHA), hence will be discontinuing. Maaay still keep a small bottle to use when needed.

Holy grail since my late teens
It has been my holy grail since 18. Now at 26, I have switched to retinol and Kiehl's Dark Spot Corrector (Vit C + BHA), hence will be discontinuing. Maaay still keep a small bottle to use when needed.

Region: US

Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 29 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant US.

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