Side-by-side comparison

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

Both are exfoliants. They share a 66% active-ingredient overlap, so the real decision is about price, texture and the supporting ingredients. Here's the side-by-side.

66%Active overlap
COSRX
BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
ExfoliantMid-rangeEvening only
AcneRough TextureOilinessSensitive skinDamaged barrier

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.

Full analysis →Find dupes →
Drunk Elephant
T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum
ExfoliantLuxuryEvening only
DullnessRough TextureCongestion

An AHA/BHA night serum (around 12% acids) with antioxidants and soothing extracts in a lightweight gel. A well-formulated resurfacing serum for glow and texture; potent, so alternate nights and pair with strict SPF.

Full analysis →Find dupes →
The verdict

Which should you choose?

On price, the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid sits in the Mid-range tier versus Luxury for the Drunk Elephant — so it's the more budget-led pick if the overlap is what you're after. The COSRX leans toward Acne, Oiliness. The Drunk Elephant leans toward Congestion, Dullness.

The overlap

What they share

At 66% active overlap, these are the ingredients doing comparable work in both formulas:

Salicylic Acid
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

COSRX — top of the list

  • Water~50–80%
  • Betaine Salicy…4%
  • Butylene Glycol~3–10%
  • Niacinamide~2–6%
  • 1,2-Hexanediol~1.5–4%

Drunk Elephant — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Glycolic Acid~5–25%
  • Butylene Glycol~3–10%
  • Lactic Acid~2–6%
  • Citric Acid~1.5–4%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

COSRXDrunk Elephant
CategoryExfoliantExfoliant
Price tierMid-rangeLuxury
Best forAcne, Rough Texture, OilinessDullness, Rough Texture, Congestion
Usage notesEvening onlyEvening only
Active overlap66% — Salicylic Acid
Questions

Common questions

Is the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid or the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum better?
Neither is universally better — they share 66% active-ingredient overlap, so for the actives that drive results they're close. The COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is the more budget-friendly option, while the other may differ on texture, finish and supporting ingredients. Pick based on your skin's priorities rather than a single 'winner'.
What's the difference between the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum?
Both are exfoliants that share Salicylic Acid. Where they differ: they sit in different price tiers (Mid-range vs Luxury); the COSRX targets Acne, Oiliness; the Drunk Elephant targets Congestion, Dullness.
Are the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum dupes for each other?
They share 66% active-ingredient overlap based on published INCI lists, so one can stand in for the other on the actives that matter — chiefly Salicylic Acid. A dupe matches the hero actives, not the full sensory experience, so expect differences in texture, fragrance and exact concentrations.
Can I use the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum together?
They both fill the exfoliant slot in a routine, so you'd normally pick one rather than layer both. If you want to use both, treat one as your daytime option and the other for evening, and patch-test when introducing anything new.
Keep comparing

Related comparisons

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0
85% overlapCOSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
70% overlapCOSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
70% overlapCOSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
66% overlapCOSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner
66% overlapCOSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel
66% overlap

Want a deeper, personalised read? Drop both products into the live comparison tool for an ingredient-by-ingredient breakdown tuned to your skin profile.

Compare these yourself →