Versus

ZO Skin Health Oil Control Pads Versus COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

Facial Treatment
Essence
American Brand United States
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

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

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with a ton of research to back up its benefits.

Its main role is to remove the top layer of dead skin cells, allowing newer skin cells to emerge.

Specifically, AHAs work by breaking down the structural "glue" holding the old skin cells in place. Getting rid of the old skin cells allows skin to regenerate newer skin cells in its place. A build up of dead skin cells can lead to tired and dull looking skin.

Due to this, glycolic acid helps with:

Fun fact: Glycolic acid increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When starting glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging.

The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product. Concentrations between 5-20% glycolic acid have been shown to be effective in clinical studies.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

When to use

56 Routines
48% use in am
52% use in pm
88% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
776 Routines
22% use in am
78% use in pm
58% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

ZO Skin Health Oil Control Pads 25 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
maggietsirigotis's avatar

Maggie Tsirigotis

10 months ago
Review

Have not found anything similar. Top!

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid 10 ingredients

3.2 /5
from 21 ratings
Absorbs Well (8) Great Value (7) No Scent (5)
Zienn's avatar

Zienn

1 year ago
Review

oily skin nothing change or happend when use
not working at all. but kinda clean my dead skin off.

#expensive
#irritating
#light
#absorbs well
SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

1 year ago
Review

Seeing forever to see results

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent