COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
Both exfoliants contain Salicylic Acid, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.
4% betaine salicylate — a gentler salicylic-acid equivalent derived from sugar beet — with niacinamide and willow bark water. Better tolerated than a straight 2% BHA, though effectively similar in function for surface blackheads and congestion.
A 10-minute weekly peel at professional strength — glycolic, lactic, tartaric, citric and salicylic acids stacked together. Not a daily product; once or twice a week maximum, never on broken or actively irritated skin. The red colour is tasmannia fruit, not blood.
Which should you choose?
Both contain Salicylic Acid. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid adds Niacinamide. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution adds Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is the better fit for acne and oiliness; The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution for dullness and dark spots. On price, The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution is the less expensive option (Budget versus Mid-range).
What they share
This hero active appears in both formulas:
Ingredient stacks, side by side
COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid — top of the list
- Water~50–80%
- Betaine Salicy…4%
- Butylene Glycol~3–10%
- Niacinamide~2–6%
- 1,2-Hexanediol~1.5–4%
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution — top of the list
- Aqua (Water)~50–80%
- Glycolic Acid30%
- Aloe Barbadens…~3–10%
- Salicylic Acid2%
● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.
The specs
| COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid | The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Budget |
| Best for | Acne, Rough Texture, Oiliness | Rough Texture, Dullness, Dark Spots |
| Usage notes | Evening only | Evening only |
| Shared hero actives | Salicylic Acid | |
Common questions
Is the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid or The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution better?
What's the difference between the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution?
Are the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution dupes for each other?
Can I use the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution together?
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