BHA (Salicylic Acid)
BHA (salicylic acid) is an oil-soluble exfoliant that gets inside pores to clear the sebum behind blackheads and breakouts — the key acne active in Korean pore-care. Here are the best BHA products by international reviews.
How we rank: ordered by how international shoppers rate and review each product on Olive Young Global (Korea's largest beauty retailer), combined with ingredient and skin-fit analysis from reviews. Updated 2026-07-23.
What BHA does
- Clears pores — Oil-soluble, so it dissolves sebum inside the pore.
- Targets blackheads & breakouts — Exfoliates where clogs and acne start.
- Smooths texture — Regular use refines rough, bumpy skin.
Best K-beauty with BHA (salicylic acid)
Ranked by verified international reviews. Each links to full ingredients, skin-fit analysis, and how to buy it at Olive Young.
- 1
AnuaAnua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 150ml (+25ml)
[박희선Pick] 아누아 어성초 피지쏙 모공 폼 150ml 2입 기획★4.8$13A heartleaf cleansing foam with a touch of BHA — the wash I use when my combo skin needs pores kept in check without stripping.
BHA - 2
SOME BY MISOME BY MI AHA.BHA.PHA 30 Days Miracle Acne Body Cleanser 400g
[등드름 트러블 바디워시] 썸바이미 아하 바하 파하 아크네 바디 클렌저 400g★4.7$25.4My back-acne fix — an AHA·BHA·PHA body wash that keeps breakouts in check without stripping me dry.
BHACentella - 3
SeapuriSeapuri Dr. 33 Hair Ampoule 20ml
[탈모증상완화] 씨퓨리 닥터33 탈모앰플 20ml NEW★4.4$24.99This scalp ampoule with salicylic acid and menthol is what I massage in when my scalp feels clogged and tired.
BHA - 4
BANILA COBANILA CO Clean It Zero Original Cleansing Balm 100mL
[6월 올영픽/1등 클렌징밤] 바닐라코 클린잇제로 클렌징밤 100ml 더블기획 (+리무버 100ml +미니밤 4개)★4.9$20The cult cleansing balm I always circle back to — a touch of BHA, melts off makeup, never leaves my skin tight.
BHA - 5
AROMATICAAROMATICA Rosemary Hair Thickening Conditioner 400mL
[7월 올영픽/단독기획/탈모증상완화] 아로마티카 로즈마리 스칼프 스케일링 샴푸 400ml (단품/더블기획/리필)★4.7$26My scalp reset shampoo — BHA-powered scaling with a gentle amino acid base that never leaves my scalp stripped.
BHA - 6
SOME BY MISOME BY MI AHA.BHA.PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner 150ml
썸바이미 아하 바하 파하 30 데이즈 미라클 토너 기획세트 (150ml+30ml)★4.7$23My 30-day reset toner for temperamental skin — tea tree and papaya extract lean more calming than exfoliating in my experience.
- 7
AROMATICAAROMATICA Tea Tree Purifying Tonic 100ml (Double Set/Single)
[7월 올영픽/단독기획/탈모증상완화] 아로마티카 티트리 퓨리파잉 토닉 100ml (단품/더블기획)★4.8$28Tea tree and BHA teaming up on my scalp — this is the tonic I spritz on when it starts feeling congested and itchy.
BHA - 8
SOME BY MISOME BY MI Cica Peptide Derma Scalp Care Tonic 150ml
썸바이미 시카 펩타이드 안티 헤어로스 더마 스칼프 트리트먼트 50ml (+바디워시 20g 증정)★4.7$20.6Cica and peptides for my scalp instead of my face — this treatment is my pick when itchiness and hair worries need calming down.
NiacinamideBHA - 9
Beplainbeplain Mung Bean Pore Cleansing Milk Balm 100ml
[단독기획] 비플레인 녹두 모공 클렌징 밀크밤 100ml 기획 (+3ml*4개)★4.9$29My go-to balm cleanser for pores that feel clogged — mung bean base, a touch of BHA, and totally fragrance-free.
BHAFragrance-free - 10
Round LabROUND LAB Pine Calming Cica Ampoule 30ml Set (+Toner 20ml)
[집중진정] 라운드랩 소나무 진정 시카 앰플 30ml 기획 (+토너 20ml)★4.7$29A pine-and-cica ampoule set that's clearly built for soothing first, hydration second, on my more reactive days.
BHACentellaFragrance-free - 11
mixsoonmixsoon Centella Cleansing Foam 150mL
믹순 병풀 클렌징 폼 150ml★4.8$18A centella cleansing foam with a touch of BHA that clears my combo-to-oily days without stripping.
BHAFragrance-free - 12
Beauty of JoseonBeauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Toner 150ml
조선미녀 청매실 AHABHA 토너 150ml★4.8$18A green plum AHA-BHA toner with real exfoliating power — one I introduce slowly, not on my most sensitive days.
AHABHAFragrance-free
Frequently asked questions
- What does BHA do for skin?
- BHA (salicylic acid) exfoliates inside oily pores, clearing blackheads and helping prevent breakouts, while smoothing skin texture.
- How often should you use BHA?
- Start 2–3 times a week and build up as tolerated. Overuse can irritate and damage the barrier.