If you’re just getting into skin care, or if you’re generally attracted to brands with a “natural” or “organic” focus, the phrases “chemical exfoliation” and “alpha hydroxy acid” can carry some frightening (or at least unappealing) connotations. Don’t let those connotations put you off. Chemical exfoliation is often one of the best things you can do for your skin, and AHAs like the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid are powerful weapons against skin issues like:
- Active acne
- Closed comedones (those pesky, persistent little pimple-like bumps that never seem to come to a head or go away)
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dull skin tone
- Flaky, rough, or coarse skin texture
Before I got my hands on the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid, I’d been using Paula’s Choice 8% AHA Gel for many months. I’m glad I made the switch. For my skin, the COSRX has rapidly proven much more effective, and my bank account enjoys the significantly lower cost. Let’s take a look at what COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid has to offer.
Purpose: COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is an alpha hydroxy acid chemical exfoliation product. It dissolves the bonds between dead skin cells to enable faster cell turnover, reducing acne and revealing brighter, clearer, smoother skin. The AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is also lightly hydrating.
Do not use if: You are currently suffering from overexfoliated skin (signs include increased roughness, scaliness, sensitivity, redness, or a shiny but dry appearance and texture) or are sensitive to glycolic acid or anything else in the ingredients list.
When and how to use: Once a day after cleansing, spread COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid over clean skin. It is best to use on skin that is as close to bare as possible, then wait for 30 minutes if possible before applying more products. If you also use a BHA product, apply after your BHA to take advantage of the BHA’s oil solubility. The order of acids in my skin care routine is pH adjuster (COSRX Natural BHA Skin Returning A-Sol), vitamin C serum (C21.5) with a 20-minute wait, BHA (COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid) with a 30-minute wait, then COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid with a 30-minute wait.
Many people, including me, consider the wait time following acids to be critical for achieving maximum results. Chemical exfoliants work best at a low pH, with the recommended range between 3 and about 4.5. Below 3, the product will be too acidic and may cause irritation or even chemical burns; above 4.5, and the product’s effectiveness drops significantly. It takes about 30 minutes for a product’s pH to neutralize and therefore for a chemical exfoliant to become ineffective. Applying another, higher-pH product immediately after a chemical exfoliant therefore arguably cuts short its effective time and limits the results you’ll see from the product. Unfortunately, there is little research specifically into this, so we’re just going by common sense here.
Finally, two cautions for those who are new to chemical exfoliation. If you’ve never used a correctly formulated AHA before or have sensitive skin, introduce products like the AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid slowly. Apply once a day every third day for a couple of weeks and then go to every other day for a couple of weeks before you move to daily use, and dial back the frequency if your skin begins to become irritated or overexfoliated. And always wear sunscreen! AHAs are photosensitizing, so unprotected UV exposure will lead to increased sun damage. It doesn’t matter whether you put your AHA on at night or in the morning, either, as the photosensitivity will persist for 7 days after application.
That may seem like a lot of cautions, but trust me–this product is worth it.
Ingredients list: Pyrus malus (apple) fruit water, butylene glycol, glycolic acid, water, niacinamide, sodium hydroxide, 1,2-hexanediol, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, xanthan gum, ethyl hexanediol
Notable ingredients: As you can see, the ingredients list for the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is short and sweet. Unlike many other products, this one doesn’t use water as its main ingredient. Instead, this product is apple water-based. As COSRX Marketing Team Assistant Manager Lee Hye-Young explained to me in our COSRX interview, apple water contains natural AHAs, boosting the exfoliating power of the 7% glycolic acid while maintaining the product’s relative gentleness on skin. The AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid also contains niacinamide, which by this time we all know is a brightening, barrier-strengthening, oil-controlling, anti-aging workhorse ingredient. Sodium hyaluronate, meanwhile, helps keep skin hydrated.
A CosDNA analysis of this product turns up only one warning: the common slip agent and penetration enhancer butylene glycol scores a 1 as a potential acne trigger. Butylene glycol is incredibly common in Asian skin care products; if you use other products containing it without issues, chances are good that it won’t trigger you in this one, either.
Performance
Since the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is an AHA chemical exfoliating product, the first thing we need to talk about is its pH. Wishtrend’s listing for the product claims that it has a pH of 4, near the upper end of the effectiveness range. My own simple pH test puts it in that same range, though possibly a couple of decimal points lower.
The relatively high (though not deal-breakingly so) pH of the product may explain its gentleness in comparison to comparable AHA products.
COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is a thin, slippy, clear liquid. I prefer liquids over gels and lotions for my chemical exfoliants, as they absorb more thoroughly, creating less of a potential barrier to all the essences and serums and ampoules I apply afterwards. This product smooths easily over skin. Unfortunately, it smells like the A-Sol of the devil himself.
I’m not kidding. Holy crap. I talked a bit about the smell in my First Impressions look at this product. It really is strong. It’s acrid and chemically, with notes of scorched rubber. The smell doesn’t linger, however, and after a couple of weeks, you’ll go nose-blind to it, so don’t let that put you off. I also haven’t heard any complaints from Mr. Crazy Snail Lady about the smell, and he’s not shy about letting me know if something I’m using doesn’t smell good.
I’ve used this product every night for over a month now, and I’m here to tell you that it has done amazing things for my skin.
Overall, my skin is brighter and feels much softer. The COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid has dramatically smoothed and refined my skin’s texture as well–I’d even call my skin “silky” these days. The colony of tiny little closed comedone bumps I’ve always hosted on my forehead are vanishing like Roanoke villagers, and a few invisible clogs on my cheeks have purged out and gone–I get far fewer grits when I oil cleanse these days than I have before, because there are simply far fewer grits to get out. I haven’t experienced any irritation or overexfoliation from daily use, nor have I broken out from the product, besides a few tiny little purge bumps that disappeared within a day. As I mentioned earlier, I’ve become nose-blind to the odor of the stuff, so that’s no longer a problem for me at all.
Conclusion: Though I’m deducting a couple of decimal points for the truly heinous smell of the COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid, I still feel comfortable in awarding this product with Holy Grail status. It’s done everything I expect a daily use AHA to do. I’ve found it much more effective than the Paula’s Choice 8% AHA Gel, which never eradicated the bumps on my forehead or purged out the clogs hiding in my cheeks. And it’s much more affordable, another serious plus.
Rating: 4.8/5
Rating scale:
Where can I buy COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid?
appy with it?
Fifty Shades of Snail 
170 responses to “Review: COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid”
This sounds so interesting. Did I miss it or do we not know the %? I am running out of my current AHA and will be on the market for a new one soon. Might give this a go! Thanks for the review x
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It’s 7% glycolic as far as I know. I think it’s written on the box, but mine didn’t come in a box for some reason
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ahh so they’re called “closed comedones”… had heaps of em recently but i have been told it’s also due to dehydration in the skin so they’ve mostly cleared after i been using the sk-ii facial treatment essence! maybe i’ll try this product in the future
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Hmm, the dehydration thing does make sense. Maybe dehydrated skin doesn’t renew itself as quickly and so clogs can build up.
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yeah that’s what i thought as well, and maybe cos i started using sleeping packs too which have been hydrating me well from deep within, i’m not as oily as i used to be!
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Which sleeping packs do you like?
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i’ve only ever tried the snail missha one i reviewed before, and the innisfree green tea sleeping pack. the only thing i like about the missha one is that is has snail but hands down the innisfree one is way better, also looking to try the face shops pomegranate sleeping pack
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Nice! I actually just put on the Innisfree green tea one. I love the way it smells, and it’s so light feeling, really nice in warmer weather.
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yeah and also face doesn’t feel as sticky as some other sleeping packs. might even get the innisfree green tea serum! currently tossing up between that or the face shops calming seed essence or pure seed essence to use in the day time to calm down the redness in my inner cheeks throughout the day
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Whelp, that did it. Just ordered a bottle. (Don’t tell my husband — he thinks I buy waaaay too many AB items!)
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LOL I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I always thought Mr. Snail Lady probably thought the same about my AB hauling, but I brought it up the other day and he said something like “I love it that you’re into this girly stuff now”–I used to be super duper low maintenance :p
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Gotta give a shout out to Peter Thomas Roth’s 10% glycolic liquid. Not had it long but it’s smoothing things out, lowww pH and non-stinky x
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Love all your minecraft figurines! I currently use a lactic acid toner, which I love, but am considering switching to this liquid when I run out. Glycolic is supposed to be more effective I’ve heard.
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Ha, they’re my son’s! He was nice enough to let me borrow them for a photo shoot, but I did have to bribe him with some fruit gummies. So I guess he more so rented them to me.
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Can you comment on why you use the vitamin C serum prior to the BHA? I currently use SkinCeuticals CE+Ferulic (am considering switching out to an AB antioxidant serum when this bottle finishes soon) and it’s usually the last thing in my routine before the sunscreen, but I’m relatively new to this. Would it be better to switch it to right after the cleanser step like you?
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It depends on what your priority is. All actives will have their maximum effect when applied to bare skin. For me, evening out skin tone and stimulating collagen production are more important than the pore control (BHA) or texture improvement (AHA) as I usually don’t have pore or textural issues. When I do have problems with my pores or skin texture, however, I switch it so that my routine goes BHA -> AHA -> Vitamin C until the problem is resolved.
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Love your detailed review! I see niacinamide in the ingredients list. I thought they are not suppose to go together? Also what’s the difference between the BHA A-sol and BHA blackhead?
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At a low pH, niacinamide can convert to niacin, which in some people may cause a temporary flushing effect. I haven’t ever experienced this with this or any other COSRX product, however, and haven’t heard of anyone else experiencing it either.
A-Sol is a spot treatment or overall preventative step but not an exfoliant, as the percentages are too low. BHA Blackhead Power Liquid is the BHA chemical exfoliant in this brand.
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[…] but this stuff does not a spa-like experience make. I’ve heard the Cosrx AHA smells bad too. Do all AHAs smell bad? And if so why don’t BHAs suffer from the same […]
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Been all over your blog since I read your article on Fashionista.com and I pretty much ordered this product as soon as I read your review! Just got it in the mail (from a great eBay seller who sent me a replacement after my shipment took over 30 days — their username is cosmetic.love). I wanted to ask if you’d suggest a skincare newbie rinse this product off, or just leave it on? I’m adding it to a super simple regimen that currently only includes cleanser and moisturizer. Should I rinse my face before applying my cream?
Thank you for your help + your awesome blog + sending me down an Asian skincare K-hole.
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Hi Sophie, thanks for the compliments and sorry about the impending damage to your bank account 🙂
To answer your question, there is no need to wash or wipe this product off after the 20-30 minute wait time is over, as the pH will have neutralized and the AHA will no longer be exfoliating. But with that being said, there’s no real reason *not* to remove it, either! Personally, I’ve been going over my face with hydrating toner on a cotton pad after I finish the acids stage of my evening routine. I like doing that because I feel that the rest of my routine is able to penetrate just a little bit better, since the skin is more bare. But I didn’t remove acids at all until recently and still saw good results from my products. It’s whatever you prefer 🙂
Yes, cosmetic-love is a good seller! I think they are the eBay arm of one of the popular Korean webshops, though I don’t remember which one.
Enjoy your trip down the K(beauty)-hole!
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Thank you for your quick reply! Very good info to know. If you have any other must-haves for someone just getting serious about their skincare, feel free to send them my way 🙂 xx
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I’m almost finished with my Paula’s Choice 8% AHA, and I’m debating between this and the Mizon 8%. I’m glad I stumbled onto your review! I’m definitely leaning towards getting this over the Mizon one now. You mentioned that it’s best used after cleansing. I use a witch hazel toner after cleansing; would this go on before or after the toner?
(P.S. I’m loving the Sam Winchester Funko POP! in the related posts thumbnail!)
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If your witch hazel toner is at a pretty low pH (I’d say 4.5 or lower) then you can use it before the AHA, and if not, it will go after.
Help me decide which Funko POP! to get next! I just found a few at a store close to me. Game of Thrones Daenerys, or a 3-pack of mini Walking Dead (Rick, Daryl, walker)?
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Thanks for the advice! How small are the minis? If they’re not too small, I say go with that one. Do you have Dean and Castiel, too? I recently got a Buffy one and a Flash CW one from Barnes & Noble.
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Thanks right back for the advice! No, I don’t have Dean or Castiel yet, so I need to hunt those down too 😀
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I have very fine lines/wrinkles on cheeks and suffer from occasional whiteheads/cc. So when I read this review & other comments on the same product on the reddit asiabeauty, I had to try it.
Now I’ve been using Cosrx Aha 7 for 5 days (daily in the evenings) and I don’t really see any peeling apart from day two when I saw three or four tiny fluffy bits on one side of cheeks. Is this normal? Is peeling working by dissolving the top layer of dead skin that you don’t actually see it? I wash my face with HL foam cleanser, then put C21.5 serum wait for 20 minutes then put Cosrx Aha 7 wait for 30 minutes then put Missha geumseul essence then moisturizing cream from the same line then finish off with a layer of camillia oil by a HK company.
I am really sorry to bother you with this but I haven’t figured it out how to put it out on reddit asiabeauty yet. I would be most grateful for your advice on if I am doing it right and it’s normal not to see the skin actually peeling off or how I should use it to be effective.
Many Thanks from Hong Kong
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Hello Sanna,
It is totally normal not to peel! This is a daily use AHA and it loosens the dead skin cells so that they fall off or are washed away when you cleanse your face. You’re doing fine 🙂
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Thanks for the reassurance.
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Can the products you mentioned (vitamin c serum and power liquids) be used near or on the under eye area? I tend to have whiteheads around there, but I’m reticent to use serums or toners too close to my eyes. I can’t seem to find too much information online– so thankful I just found your amazing blog!!
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Yes indeed! I take my vitamin C serum and AHA right up to my lashlines pretty much. Just pat it in very carefully and start slowly then work your way up in frequency, make sure to wear sunglasses when outside, and moisturize well 🙂
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Great! Thanks so much for your help! I’m looking forward to getting lost in your blog 🙂
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Should you buy both whitehead and blackhead corsyx liquids? Or would you recommend buying all three? Whitehead liquid + Blackhead liquid + A-Sol? Also should you be using chemical exfoliators everyday? How do you know when you’re overexfoliating with chemical exfoliators? I’m new to chemical exfoliators! 😛 Love your blog btw!
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Hahaha! Well, it really depends on what you want to treat. Just get whichever ones you need; no need to use anything your skin doesn’t need. Just please go slow when you start introducing them. Only introduce one new product at a time and start with once every other day or so until you know your skin can handle it. Good luck!
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https://us.memebox.com/aha-7-whitehead-power-liquid
Here’s a working link to the product on the Memebox site. They frequently have sales that make it even cheaper! Great deal! 🙂
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i’m now using missha’s fte and would like to introduce COSRX’s A-sol, BHA Blackhead and AHA Whitehead in my routine. but should I buy and try all 3 of them at once or i need to buy just one of them first? and if i need to try one of them first, which one is the best to do so? really need your advice.. love from malaysia^__^
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I’m a total newbie to skincare, so I’ve got a total newbie question for you…
Re AHAs and BHAs, is it essential to incorporate both of them into a cleansing routine? I have sensitive skin, and from what I’ve read so far BHAs tend to be better suited to my skin type, so I’d like to avoid AHAs if possible.
Would it be ok to only use COSRX BHA Blackhead Power as an exfoliator on its own (instead of using both COSRX AHA Whitehead Power + COSRX Blackhead Power in the same routine)?
Thanks in advance! 🙂
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Of course! Acids aren’t necessary (technically, nothing really is, though of course I think cleansing and sunscreen are) so just do what you feel your skin needs and can tolerate. Good luck!
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Hi Fiddy! I’ve been using this and the BHA Blackhead liquid for the past week, but I’m starting to think I’m using it wrong… After the 30 minutes, do I wash the AHA off then move onto the BHA, wait 30, wash again, then tone, etc? Or can I just use the following products after the wait periods? Thanks in advance!!
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Oh! No need to wash off 🙂 And I’m starting to think that the 30 minute wait times in between are not really necessary either. Lately I put on my AHA first (because the pH) is lower, then wait just about 10 minutes so it’s fully dry and absorbed, then do the BHA and just wait another 10 minutes before moving on. If I didn’t, man, between that and my tretinoin, I’d be sitting up waiting on my actives all night! I’ve not seen a reduction in effectiveness.
If you ever feel after your acids that your face has some gunk on it or other products aren’t absorbing well, what you can do is take some toner on a cotton pad and swipe it over your face.
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I always love your reviews! Can the AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid be used on newly erupted pimples? And if so, does it make the erupted area or pore heal faster and become smaller compared to if I didn’t use this product? I’m really hoping to start using chemical exfoliants. Just scared of the purging that awaits me haha.
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Yes, you can use it on breakouts! It may help them purge out faster 🙂
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Thank you! What about pimples that are freshly popped (by themselves of course haha) and are a bit raw and red? Sorry for the TMI!
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Hello Fiddy. I have a question.
I’ve read both this and you skincare routine page and I got confused with which comes first.
Is it the BHA first or the AHA 7 first?
It says BHA here but in your Skincare Routine page it says AHA.
I’m a big fan BTW. Read your blog anonymously for almost a year now.
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Hiya! Hmm, I should clarify–it will be whichever has the lower pH. Cosrx’s BHA is at a pretty high pH, so I’ve been putting it after my AHA product (the Cosrx AHA is slightly lower and the Mizon AHA is much lower). So when layering actives, go lowest pH to highest IMO. And thank you for reading!
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Does the clear bottle reduce the effectiveness of this product over time? I heard that too much exposure to light can affect certain products.
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Hi Heather! The clear bottle is not a problem for this product. AHAs don’t degrade in sunlight AFAIK. I believe the ingredient that causes concerns with clear containers is L-ascorbic acid vitamin C, which is highly sensitive to light, heat, and air exposure and will oxidize and lose efficacy very quickly 🙂
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Thank you for the prompt reply!!
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Hi Fiddy!
How do I know if the COSRX Whitehead is breaking me out or just purging my whiteheads out? I’m on day three of it and I seem to be seeing more whiteheads pop up in my problem areas (my jawline) and a few red bumps. 😦 I hope this is normal. Note: this is my first time introducing an AHA to my skincare routine
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Do you apply it with your hands or with a cotton pad?
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Almost always hands.
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Hi Fiddy
so i’ve been using bha power liquid for like a month and it’s good and unclogged some of my blackhead
i’ve use it like twice a week, can i use it every day? will it be too much (over exfoliate)?
oh and i also planning to try out AHA, but i got some questions lol
– can i use it on the same day as my BHA? ( ps : i never use AHA before)
– can i use it around the eye area? is it gentle enough?
– will it make me go through purging? i have active acne, acne scar, 1 stubborn cyst, blackhead, clogged pores, and white heads ( my skin basically a total mess now LOL
– and also i’m planning to try the klairs supple toner( the new one) without retynil palmitate. i think it’s the 180ml one. Should i use it before or after my acid?
– if i’m not using acid toner, should i wait before applying acid after cleansing? If so, how long?
Sorry for the lengthy post ^^
Thanks for your answers
Stay Awesome !
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Hi Eric! Yes, you can begin increasing your use of the BHA. Instead of beginning AHA, I would first use the BHA more frequently, increasing it slowly, until you get to the frequency that you want/results that you want. After that, start over with AHA in addition to the BHA.
I don’t use AHA or BHA around my eyes just because I don’t see the point, as I don’t usually have pores to unclog there 🙂 You may indeed purge, as they are actives.
Klairs Supple Preparation Toner is a hydrating toner, so that goes after acids. And I really don’t think waiting after cleanser is a necessary step even without acid toner 🙂 But what cleanser are you using? If it’s a high pH one, you may want to wait a bit–I’m just not sure of practical results from this as I haven’t ever done that regularly.
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oh and also i look at the AHA ingredients on your post
it said that it contain niacimide
and i’ve heard that acid doesnt really go well with acid
something about it makes your skin flush or something
Thanks Fiddy
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In some people and some combinations, niacinamide at a low pH can convert to niacin which can cause slight and temporary flushing. I have never noticed it with the AHA though, as the niacinamide in it is probably in too low of a concentration to do that, so don’t worry about it unless you do experience flushing! I don’t think I’ve heard of anyone who has.
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[…] kasih review karena baru mau dicoba ntar malem hehehe… Tapi kalo menurut review beautyblogger ini mah, COSRX Whitehead ini juara lah! Gak cuma untuk jerawat or whitehead tapi juga angkat sel-sel […]
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Hi Fiddy
Im thinking of adding more acids
My concern is PIH from acnes and a cyst
Im currently using BHA every other day, so thats like 3/4 times a week
Which one do you suggest, AHA or vit.C serum?
Also do i need a hydrating toner like hadalabo or klairs after using acids?
My skin is combination (normal-oily)
Thanks
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i have both aha and bha but i always confuse which one first to go. some people told me to use aha then bha some said bha then aha 😦 i don’t want to forget about the step between aha and bha, so i use aha for this day and bha tomorrow. and thats happen around 2 weeks since my bha come. how do you think about it? am i doing something wrong? i would like your advice. thank you
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I think that using AHA on one day and BHA the next is a really good idea actually! It will prevent your skin from getting irritated by too much exfoliation, and later when you are more used to the products, you can use them both in one day.
I don’t think there is really agreement about which one should go first in the routine. Personally, I prefer to do my acids from lowest pH to highest, which means that for Cosrx I’ll use the AHA before the BHA. Other people use BHA first and have good results too, though. Don’t worrytoo much about it and just see which way works better for your sin!
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Hi! I have been obsessed over your blog — I’ve read almost all your reviews and how to build a skincare routine. After reading your blog, I bought the COSRX AHA, BHA, the AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, and the White Power Essence. I didn’t want you to repeat yourself so I read through all your comments to see if any are similar to mine and couldn’t find one tailored to the items I bought so I HAD to leave you a comment since you are the expert.
Just to make sure I am using it right, first I cleanse my face, then AHA, then wait for 30 minutes, toner, the WP essence, and then serums?
I was also wondering… do you think its good to alternate AHA and BHA? Like one night I use AHA and then the next night I use BHA?
What is the best way to introduce actives? How many days do you recommend trying and how do I start increasing dosage? I know my skin pretty well and I would consider my skin as pretty tough and thick. Never reacts to anything so I am assuming it won’t be as sensitive as others to introduce AHA and then next day BHA and vice versa. Do you think thats a good idea?
Thank you for your help! I am excited to go on this skin journey. 🙂
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If i have whiteheads bumps, should i only use aha? I think using aha gave me a few pimples
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Typically AHA will help, but you may have to try a few different ones to find one that works with your skin. Apart from Cosrx, I know that Papa Recipe also makes an AHA if you want to stick with Korean options, and Paula’s Choice AHA products are well regarded (though I think they’re a bit pricey tbqh).
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Hi! can you please tell me what should go first, AHA/BHA Clarifying Toner or AHA 7 Whitehead Power? Thanks!
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First the toner as that is a pH prep toner, and then the AHA 7 after that.
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I am so glad I found your blog on IN , it has helped me a lot and educated me as well since I am very new with Asian skincare . I was wondering if this product caused you purging? or make your skin flaky and dry ?
I started using the cosrx aha/bha toner with the cosrx snail products and I am not sure if the toner is breaking me out or the cream ? I already used before a few samples for the snail essence and the whitening essence and never had any problem with them but now after using this 2 new products i got a few white pimples and a red big one near my lip and i think its because of the toner because my skin feel so dry .
Also on the first week i started using the toner , i tried a cosrx aha sample to see how it worked on my skin but after 2 days of trying the sample i got the pimples and red big one near my lip . Therefore I am not sure if the AHA and the toner are purging my skin or the toner is just breaking me out ! 😦
My skin is sensitive but it get oily on my t zone and dry on the rest of my face , i get pimples once in a while but nothing like this so im trying to figure if i should take a break of it or maybe switch to something else .
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Hi,
The toner itself isn’t really formulated to exfoliate on its own, so if you’ve broken out from using that (and it isn’t the cream), then that isn’t purging but a regular product breakout.
Did you get the pimples when using the AHA sample on places where you normally already get clogs or breakouts? Are they whiteheads that go away quickly, or other kinds of pimples?
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Hi,
Thank you for the review and especially the comparison between Paula and Cosrx. In fact, I have been quite obsessed with Paula’s and have recently ordered quite a few products from them: BHA 2%, AHA 10%, BHA weekly 4% and Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum.
I have been using Paula’s BHA 2% (every night) and AHA (2x per week) for nearly 3 weeks but have not noticed any difference on my skin. In fact, I am not sure why there are more and more white bumps appearing on my skin. There are more red pimples, which I suspect it’s due to the Retinol which I tried for my first time ever 4 days ago. Since then I have not “dared” to continue applying it for 2nd time.
After reading your review, I think I will give Cosrx a try.
On a separate note, do you have any advice for Retinol usage in general, or Paula’s Retinol especially? I read from a few sources saying that we should continue to test out Retinol (as part of the “process” is that your skin will react to it, so just continue on and reduce the frequency accordingly). What is your opinion or personal experience on this please? Thank you!
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Hi Fiddy!! I just purchased this based on your recommendation and used it for the first time tonight! Just wondering, I have a gel BHA (Paula’s Choice) is it a good idea after I let the BHA pentrate to use a PH toner after to 1) get the gel remnants off my skin and 2) being my PH back down for my AHA? I moreso want to know if using the gel would create a barrier preventing my AHA for working effectively. Thanks so much!!!
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I think that’s a good idea actually! When I use a pH toner, that’s typically how I use it, to sweep away any product residue. I hope the AHA works for you!
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[…] know how else to describe it) that aren’t rashes. I was convinced to try this product by Fiddy Snails and I’m so glad I listened. Also, CosRX products can be decorated with stickers that are […]
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Hey Fiddy! Just wondering if you’ve used BR’s P50? I believe it’s an AHA as well and I love it, but have been searching for a cheaper alternative and this is really tempting!!
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Hiya, I haven’t tried it but my friends Kerry at Skin and Tonics and Sheryll at The Wanderlust Project sure do love P50!
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Hey Fiddy! Which one do you think the best for closed comedoes? A-sol, BHA Blackhead, or AHA Whitehead?
I’ve been using AHA Whitehead and centella blemish cream for a week but the whitehead still won’t go away 😦
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hello there,
first of all, thank you, reading your blogs have made me learn so much about skincare.. I’m really interested to try out the AHA.. you’ve mentioned that we needa wear sunscreen after using AHA, you meant the next morning right..?
Thanks.. 🙂
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Hey fiddy, if i don’t have bha asol or ph adjuster toner, can i use bha after cleansing? Or i have to wait until my ph skin balance?
Fyi, i use tosowoong enzyme powder wash
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Hi! I have a lot of CCs on my forehead and some on my cheeks. Do you think that it is okay for a 16 years old to use this product? It is the only thing that is holding me back for buying this product. I’m just wondering if this product will be too harsh for my skin. Thanks a lot! 🙂
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So it’s called closed comedones omg HAHAHAHAHAHAHA been wondering what are this bumps that don’t fade away on my forehead. I’m already using OST C20 Vit C Serum and COSRx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid already and I’ll be adding this then to remove those pesky closed comedones~
Oh yah I got one question. How long do you wait before continuing with your routine after using your tretinoin? My friend has 4 tubes of tretinoin microsphere gel and wanted to give me(she bought 12 of those when she visited the US and wanted to give me because she heard about my obsession with skincare and heard that tretinoin helps with cell turnover) but I’m not sure about the waiting time after using it. I did some research here and there but they only said 20-30 mins after chemical exfoliants then use tretinoin but it stops there so ya, how long should I wait?
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Hi I’m using the homemade apple cider vinegar toner. Does the toner go before the acids or after? Thank you =)
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What’s the pH of your toner?
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Hi, I recently came across your website and really am loving it. I learn sooo much from it. After reading many of your recommendation, I really want to try a lot of the product but as you mention, it better to do thing slowly. I have never use an BHA or AHA defoliator before I really want to try both of these. If I want to begin, which would you suggest I begin with. I am prone to cystic acne (and only cystic acne T.T) and I really want to address the many scar my cystic acne has left me with. Thank you
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Hiya! For your issues, I think an AHA would be more useful to start out with, and I’m glad you know it’s better to try slowly! Good luck! I do think the Cosrx is a great one to start with as it isn’t too strong.
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Thank you very much. I apologize if I may have double posted. I’m new to blog so I wasn’t sure if my commend had posted or not since it didn’t show up. I can’t wait to try out all the skin product you review and hope to see more review. Thank you
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I’m sorry, I couldn’t figure out how to edit my comment but may I ask, if I start to use the AHA, such as COSRX AHA, can I use a physical exfoliate or an peeling gel sometime? If so, how often? Thank you and sorry again.
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Yeah, you can use something gentle with it, but try not to go more than once a week at least at first. Peeling gel or a mild exfoliant (I’ve been using Goodal Phytowash Yerba Matte Bubble Peeling) is okay!
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Do you think this will go well with Mamonde Rose Water Foam Cleanser?
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Hi, can you please recommend which CosRX product/s I should buy.
-Currently have the Morning cleanser+Salicylic Exfoliating Cleanser(Do you think cleansing in the morning for oily/acne prone skin is necessary?)
-Large pores on nose that frequently form black heads
-whiteheads on chin
-I experience a new breakout almost each day on the lower third of my face(Hormonal acne? They are not cystic though)
-I currently use Skinfood’s sugar mask to exfoliate 1-2X a week
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Hiya! I do prefer to cleanse in the morning but I would not use the salicylic cleanser, to be honest. I don’t really see the point of exfoliants in cleansing products as they are just going to be rinsed right off and not do you much good, plus from what I remember, their salicylic cleanser is very high pH and may irritate and do your barrier some damage that will make the acne problems worse.
AHA is more recommended for whiteheads, BHA is recommended for pores, but don’t start by using both all over your face at the same time. Either start with just one, or use them on separate zones of your face, to be safe and avoid overexfoliation!
I’m afraid I can’t speak much about hormonal acne, but if you check fanserviced-b.com, you may find some more helpful information there as Tracy has struggled with it quite and bit and is experiencing a lot of improvement lately!
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Hi! thanks for the review. I’m very new in using skin care. I’ve read that sodium hydroxide can be harmful. What are your thoughts about it? I’m interested in buying both BHA and AHA power liquid but both contain sodium hydroxide.
Thanks!
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Hiya! Okay, so sodium hydroxide can be a scary-sounding ingredient. It is a component in traditional soaps and many high-pH cleansers that are pretty much just liquefied soaps with some other skincare ingredients thrown in. Personally, I don’t like it in cleansing products as it seems to appear in them in much greater concentrations that can be irritating, and I dislike alkaline cleansers in general since they can compromise the skin’s protective barrier. In a chemical exfoliant like this one, I’m comfortable with it, as they tend to be present in far smaller concentrations and certainly aren’t making the products alkaline. There’s a saying, “the dose makes the poison,” that generally governs how I feel about ingredients–small amount of things are generally much safer than large ones.
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HI Fiddy^^
First at all, all review in your blog was amazing and helpful. I learned a lot by reading it.
I just bought COSRX AHA / BHA Toner and 7 AHA Whitehead power liquid. But I am still confused how to use them with my another skincare product. So, What is the correct order to usage for this product :
1. COSRX AHA/BHA toner
2. COSRX 7 AHA Whitehead power liquid
3. Secret Key STE
4. Hada Labo Gokujyun lotion as hydrating toner.
I hope you’ll answer this question. I need your advice so much.
Thank you:)
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The order you have listed is how I would use them!
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Thanks for answering, Fiddy! ^^
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Hi Fiddy,
I just use mine for the first time, but mine doesn’t smell that bad at all? Should I be worried?
Thanks in advance 🙂
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Nah, everybody perceives scents differently! They may also have improved the smell in recent batches, which would be a nice thing!
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Hi Fiddy! First of all, i love your blog! Thank you for posting such an informative and detailed review of the COSRX Whitehead Power Liquid. I’ve been thinking of getting this for quite a while now, as I just recently bought their Snail Mucin 96 Power Essence (which btw i’m loving so far! It’s done a great job at calming my skin from nonstop breakouts!). Just wondering, which would best be applied first — the COSRX Whitehead Power Liquid or the Snail Mucin Essence? 🙂
Thanks in advance for taking your time to read and respond!
Love and light xx
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Hi! The AHA would go before the snail as you want it on bare or close-to-bare skin so it can get at those dead skin cells better 🙂
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Hello fiddy. May i know what sunblock youre using?
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I have several! Lately I’ve been using Biore Perfect Bright Milk when I need very strong or water-resistant protection (like going to the beach etc.). For everyday, I’m alternating between Thankyou Farmer’s sunscreen in the blue tube, some samples of Cosrx’s aloe sunscreen, and Naruko’s 10 Peptide sunscreen.
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