COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid vs The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution
Both are exfoliants. They share a 70% active-ingredient overlap, so the real decision is about price, texture and the supporting ingredients. Here's the side-by-side.
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?
On price, the The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution sits in the Budget tier versus Mid-range for the COSRX — so it's the more budget-led pick if the overlap is what you're after. The COSRX leans toward Rough Texture. The The Ordinary leans toward Congestion.
What they share
At 70% active overlap, these are the ingredients doing comparable work in both formulas:
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%
The Ordinary — 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 | The Ordinary | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Exfoliant | Exfoliant |
| Price tier | Mid-range | Budget |
| Best for | Acne, Rough Texture, Oiliness | Congestion, Oiliness, Acne |
| Usage notes | Evening only | Evening only |
| Active overlap | 70% — Salicylic Acid | |
Common questions
Is the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid or the The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution better?
What's the difference between the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid and the 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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