Quick answer: the closest dupe for the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is the The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution — 70% active overlap, sharing Salicylic Acid. One tier cheaper with a closely matched active profile — expect differences in the acid blend and buffering. Note the original also carries Niacinamide.
The contextWhy look for a BHA Blackhead Power Liquid dupe?
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 good dupe isn't about a matching label — it's about matching the hero actives, the ingredients carrying the real work. For this exfoliant that means Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide. The alternatives below share that profile; where they differ is in texture, supporting ingredients and finish.
The matchesClosest alternatives
★ Closest matchBudgetCheaperSalicylic Acid
Why it works: Built on the same hero actives — Salicylic Acid — which is what drives results in a exfoliant.
What's different: One tier cheaper with a closely matched active profile — expect differences in the acid blend and buffering. Note the original also carries Niacinamide.
Full ingredient analysis → BudgetCheaperSalicylic Acid
Why it works: Built on the same hero actives — Salicylic Acid — which is what drives results in a exfoliant.
What's different: One tier cheaper with a closely matched active profile — expect differences in the acid blend and buffering. Note the original also carries Niacinamide.
Full ingredient analysis →Common questions
What is the best dupe for the COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid?
The closest alternative in our catalogue is the The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, which shares Salicylic Acid and scores 70% on active-ingredient overlap. One tier cheaper with a closely matched active profile — expect differences in the acid blend and buffering. Note the original also carries Niacinamide.
Are BHA Blackhead Power Liquid dupes really as good as the original?
A dupe matches the hero actives — the ingredients doing the measurable work — but rarely the full sensory experience. Texture, fragrance, supporting ingredients and exact concentrations differ, so treat a dupe as a value-led alternative rather than an identical copy.
How does Skin Stacker choose BHA Blackhead Power Liquid dupes?
We match products in the same category (exfoliant) that share hero actives (Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide), then rank by overlap and price. Matches are based on published INCI lists, not lab assays.
Compare them yourself
Skin Stacker is independent and receives no payment from any brand. "Dupe" matches are based on publicly disclosed INCI lists and shared hero actives — not on side-by-side lab testing. A shared active profile does not guarantee an identical experience: texture, fragrance, supporting ingredients and concentrations all differ. Formulations change — always re-check the current label before buying.