Medik8 Blemish Control Pads™ vs COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

Medik8

COSRX

A chemical exfoliant built around BHA and Salicylic acid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A chemical exfoliant built around AHA and Glycolic acid, for hydration and barrier repair.

Chemical exfoliant

11 ingredients

10 ingredients

Brand price

GBP 30.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

USD 22.00 · checked 25 Sept 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Fungal-acne-safe; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

BHA1
Beta hydroxy acid — oil-soluble, so it works inside the pore.
Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid1
The BHA used in acne treatment.
Salicylic Acid

Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
AHA1
Alpha hydroxy acids — water-soluble chemical exfoliants.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid1
The smallest AHA, and so the most penetrating.
Glycolic Acid
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

Hydrating1
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Glycerin
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Glycerin
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin

Hydrating3
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair2
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation1
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Panthenol
Redness Reducing1
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Niacinamide

May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis1
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
May Worsen Irritation3
May cause stinging, redness or sensitivity.
Limonene, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
May Worsen Eczema3
May worsen itching or irritation for eczema-prone skin.
Limonene, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
May Worsen Rosacea3
Can trigger flare-ups in rosacea-prone skin.
Limonene, Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

No concerns found

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Cocamidopropyl Dimethylamine
Cleansing
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Salicylic Acid
Preservative
- BHA
- Salicylic acid
- Acne Fighting
- Exfoliating
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
Glycerin
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
0 / —
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Reduces Irritation
- Smoothing
Sodium Hydroxide (in both products)
Buffering
0 / —
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning
Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil
Skin Conditioning
- EU labelled fragrance allergen
- Fragrance
- Fragrant essential oil (sensitizer)
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea
Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil
Skin Conditioning
- Fragrant essential oil (sensitizer)
- May Worsen Eczema
- May Worsen Irritation
- May Worsen Rosacea

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Sodium Hydroxide
Buffering, Denaturant
Sodium hydroxide
Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide →

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