COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% 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 straightforward 2% BHA in a lightweight watery base with a little witch hazel. Effective pore and blackhead exfoliation at a rock-bottom price; the simple base means less of the soothing buffer found in pricier BHAs.
Which should you choose?
Both contain Salicylic Acid. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid adds Niacinamide. The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution adds Witch Hazel. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is the better fit for rough texture; The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution for congestion. On price, The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% 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 Salicylic Acid 2% Solution — top of the list
- Aqua~50–80%
- Salicylic Acid~5–25%
- Hamamelis Virgi…~3–10%
- Propanediol~2–6%
- Glycerin~1.5–4%
● 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 Salicylic Acid 2% Solution | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Budget |
| Best for | Acne, Rough Texture, Oiliness | Congestion, Oiliness, Acne |
| Usage notes | Evening only | Evening only |
| Shared hero actives | Salicylic Acid | |
Common questions
Is the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid or The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution better?
What's the difference between the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution?
Are the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution dupes for each other?
Can I use the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution together?
Related comparisons
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