
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
BHA (4% Betaine Salicylate) exfoliant with willow bark extract and niacinamide; Key ingredients count: at least 3 active (67% Willow Bark Water, 4% Betaine Salicylate, 2% Niacinamide)
FEATURES
Gentle exfoliant clinically proven to reduce blackheads and sebum, clears clogged pores, improves skin tone and texture, brightens skin, controls sebum production, free from parabens, artificial colorants, fragrance, triethanolamine, and phthalein, cruelty-free
BEST FOR
sensitive
CHECKS
No parabens, no artificial colorants, no fragrance, no triethanolamine, no phthalein
Who Is It For?
No Specific Age Range Or Gender Indicated Suitable For General UseWhat Does It Help With?
Blackheads Clogged Pores Excess Sebum Skin Tone And Texture Brightening HydrationBudget
Premium ($76-$150)How To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What Nykaa E retail limited Says
Product Description:
The COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is a gentle yet effective exfoliant that contains a 4% natural BHA component of betaine salicylate, which not only gets rid of blackheads and sebum inside the pores but also prevents sebum from turning into blackheads via oxidation and helps skin rebuild its moisture barrier. BHA penetrates deeply into the pores, helps clear clogged pores, and gently exfoliates dead skin cells, giving the skin its natural glow. Willow bark extract and niacinamide also help brighten skin with gentle exfoliation, while hyaluronic acid boosts hydration.
Features:
- Gentle exfoliant that is clinically proven to reduce blackheads and excess sebum without stripping the skin
- 4% betaine salicylate and 67% willow bark extract clear clogged pores and improve skin tone and texture
- 2% niacinamide brightens skin and controls sebum production
- This product is free from parabens, artificial colorants, fragrance, triethanolamine, and phthalein
- COSRX products are cruelty-free
About the Brand: COSRX is a best-selling Korean skincare brand renowned for its effective skincare solutions. Their name reflects their values and is derived from 'Cos (metics)' and 'Rx (medical prescription)'. This award-winning brand has various product lines that address acne, exfoliation, hydration, and more! They approach these aspects with gentle, skin-friendly ingredients and innovative formulations. All their products are cruelty-free and dermatologist-tested.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
salix-alba-willow-bark-water,butylene-glycol,betaine,niacinamide,betaine-salicylate,1,2-hexanediol,sodium-hydroxide,sodium-hyaluronate,panthenol,xanthan-gum,ethyl-hexanediol
Key Ingredients
salix-alba-willow-bark-water,betaine-salicylate,niacinamide
Ingredients Details
1-2-hexanediol
Common Name(s): 1-2-hexanediol,cosmetic active,functional ingredient
CAS Number: N/a
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Delivers characteristic cosmetic function at recommended use concentration.
Why It's Used: Selected for functional contribution and formulation compatibility supported by cosmetic science and regulatory safety data.
How It Works: Works through the mechanism of its molecular class โ physicochemical or biological interaction with skin proteins, lipids, or receptors as documented in peer-reviewed cosmetic literature.
Typically Found In: Skin care formulations
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ cosmetic active
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1โ2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
1-2-hexanediol has an established safety and efficacy profile within the cosmetic regulatory framework at standard use concentrations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,1-2-hexanediol technical literature
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Betaine
Common Name(s): Trimethylglycine,tmg,natural betaine
CAS Number: 107-43-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides osmoprotective humectant conditioning with anti-irritant and mild foam-boosting activity.
Why It's Used: Natural-origin multifunctional osmolyte from sugar beet providing hydration, anti-irritancy, and conditioning in virtually every cosmetic category.
How It Works: Quaternary ammonium betaine provides zwitterionic character for water binding via ionic hydration. osmoprotective function at 100โ500mm as compatible solute protecting cells from osmotic stress. reduces surfactant irritation by competing with sls for protein binding sites. mild foam enhancement.
Typically Found In: Virtually all categories โ moisturisers, shampoos, cleansers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from beta vulgaris (sugar beet) molasses
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Betaine's anti-irritant mechanism for surfactant systems involves competitive protein protection: betaine at high concentrations preferentially interacts with skin proteins, occupying binding sites that would otherwise be occupied by surfactant molecules causing protein denaturation. this competition reduces available protein binding for irritating surfactants, explaining betaine's well-documented ability to reduce sls irritation when co-formulated.
Last Verified: Cosing database,craig betaine osmoprotective review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Niacinamide
Common Name(s): Vitamin b3,nicotinamide,pyridine-3-carboxamide
CAS Number: 98-92-0
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, reduces visible pore size, regulates sebum production, fades dark spots, and improves skin texture and tone.
Why It's Used: It is used because it addresses multiple skin concerns at once without irritation, making it suitable for all skin types. it is stable in formulations and pairs well with most other actives.
How It Works: Niacinamide inhibits the transfer of melanosomes (pigment packets) to skin cells, reducing hyperpigmentation. it also stimulates ceramide synthesis to strengthen the skin barrier and reduces inflammation by modulating cytokine activity.
Typically Found In: Serums,moisturizers,toners,cleansers,eye creams,sunscreens,primers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ vitamin
Secondary Functions: Barrier repair,brightening,anti-inflammatory
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 2%โ10% (typical: 5%; higher concentrations may cause flushing in some individuals)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes โ synthetic origin
Source Notes: Commercially produced via synthesis from nicotinic acid or 3-cyanopyridine. no animal-derived sources used in cosmetic-grade niacinamide.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; concentrations above 10% may cause temporary flushing in sensitive individuals
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: At concentrations >10%, some users experience niacin flush (transient redness/tingling). generally very well-tolerated.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ one of the best-tolerated actives for sensitive skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Extensively studied and considered very safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant systemic toxicity concerns at topical concentrations.
Works Well With: Retinol,peptides,ahas/bhas,hyaluronic acid,ceramides,zinc,vitamin c,spf
Avoid Combining With: High concentrations of vitamin c (ascorbic acid) may theoretically convert to niacin โ use at different times if using pure l-ascorbic acid above 15%
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Niacinamide is a precursor to nad+ and nadp+, coenzymes vital to cellular energy metabolism. its benefits for dna repair and mitochondrial function make it a key ingredient in anti-aging strategies.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,pubmed clinical studies
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Panthenol
Common Name(s): Provitamin b5,d-panthenol,dl-panthenol,d-pantothenyl alcohol,(r)-2,4-dihydroxy-n-(3-hydroxypropyl)-3,3-dimethylbutanamide
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Panthenol deeply moisturizes skin and hair, soothes irritation, accelerates wound healing, strengthens the skin barrier, and improves hair elasticity and shine.
Why It's Used: It is used because it is exceptionally versatile, working in both skin and hair formulations. it is gentle enough for sensitive and post-procedure skin, and converts to the active vitamin b5 within the skin.
How It Works: Panthenol penetrates skin and hair, where it is oxidized to pantothenic acid (vitamin b5), a coenzyme a precursor essential to metabolism. in skin, it acts as a humectant and stimulates fibroblast proliferation. in hair, it coats the shaft, improving manageability.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,toners,after-sun products,wound healing products,shampoos,conditioners,hair masks,beard care
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Active ingredient โ provitamin b5
Secondary Functions: Anti-inflammatory,wound healing,hair conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ5% (typical: 1โ3%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ synthetically produced
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Commercially synthesized. both d- and dl-forms used in cosmetics; d-panthenol is the biologically active isomer but dl-panthenol is less expensive and widely used.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; one of the most soothing ingredients in cosmetics
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare contact allergy; considered one of the safest cosmetic ingredients. suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes โ ideal for sensitive, reactive, and post-procedure skin
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Exceptionally safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or systemic toxicity. safe during pregnancy.
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,allantoin,niacinamide,centella asiatica,retinol (reduces irritation),glycerin
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Panthenol has demonstrated wound-healing properties in clinical studies, stimulating fibroblast proliferation and migration. its dual humectant and anti-inflammatory action makes it particularly effective in barrier-repair formulations.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ebner et al. (2002) skin pharmacology and applied skin physiology
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12