
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid Ingredients Explained
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 05, 2020. Submitted by GreatGagger.
Overview
What it is
Exfoliator with 10 ingredients that contains BHA, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide
Cool Features
It is vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe
Suited For
It has ingredients that are good for fighting acne, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots
Free From
It doesn't contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
Fun facts
COSRX is from South Korea. This product is used in 855 routines created by our community.
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. This product need an update? Let us know.
Ingredient List (10)
Salix Alba Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol
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Benefits

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Concerns

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Ingredient Info

Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉

Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉

Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉

Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉

Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉

Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉

Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:

Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉

Eu Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉

Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉

Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Ingredients Overview














Ingredients Explained
Salix Alba Bark Water is created by distilling parts from the white willow tree. The white willow tree is native to Europe and Central Asia.
Salix Alba Bark has often been described as salicylic acid's cousin. This is due to the salicin it contains. However, studies are limited showing salix alba bark to be an effective salicylic acid alternative.
Salicin does have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has shown to decrease the formation of inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and nuclear factor-kappa B. Salicin also has a mildly exfoliating effect on the skin.
As an astringent, salix alba bark water helps tighten the skin by drawing water out. This helps reduce the appearance of large pores.
Learn more about Salix Alba Bark WaterButylene 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.




Betaine Salicylate is a salicylic acid alternative. It is created with betaine and salicylic acid.
Betain Salicylate is a keralytic ingredient. This means it breaks down the top layer of skin. Due to its similarity to salicylic acid, it can be considered a BHA alternative.
This ingredient is most effective at a pH range of 3.8-4.2.
Learn more about Betaine Salicylate






Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.
It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.
Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.
The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.
Learn more about Niacinamide1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.
In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Arginine is an amino acid that is important for human development. Your body uses is it to produce hair keratin and skin collagen.
As a cosmetic ingredient, Arginine has antioxidant properties and can also help repair damaged skin.
Arginine is derived either synthetically or from animals.
Arginine isn't fungal acne safe when used in the presence of other lipids (fats, fatty acids, oils, esters, etc). Oils and fats occur naturally within the skin, so you should take caution when using Arginine if you're prone to fungal acne.
Learn more about Arginine
Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.
lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.
Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
Learn more about Panthenol
Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.
Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.
Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.
These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:
Learn more about Sodium HyaluronateXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumEthyl Hexanediol is an aliphatic alcohol. It is a solvent.
Solvents are used to keep ingredients together in a product. They can help dissolve ingredients to stable bases or help evenly distribute ingredients throughout the product.
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Here's what our community thinks of the 10 ingredients in this product ✨
When to use
We've created a guide with info on when you should use COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid. We've also included some recommended products to use it with, as well as some routine inspiration!
Read our guide on when to use BHA Blackhead Power Liquid ->We're dedicated to providing you with the most up-to-date and science-backed ingredient info out there.
The data we've presented on this page has been verified by a member of the SkinSort Team.
Read more about usLatest Reviews
View all 10Excellent exfoliant for all skin types, including sensitive skin and acne. Very effective for oily skin. May irritate, do not apply to damp skin.
Excellent exfoliant for all skin types, including sensitive skin and acne. Very effective for oily skin. May irritate, do not apply to damp skin.
Clear skin magic
This product can be used daily even if you have sensitive skin because it is a very gentle exfoliant that rarely irritates the skin and within 3-4 says, I noticed tremendous changes to my skin
Clear skin magic
This product can be used daily even if you have sensitive skin because it is a very gentle exfoliant that rarely irritates the skin and within 3-4 says, I noticed tremendous changes to my skin
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