Review: COSRX Low pH BHA Overnight Mask

COSRX Low pH BHA Overnight Mask reveals soft skin overnight by dissolving dullness, blackheads, and whiteheads. As you sleep, 0.9% BHA helps treat and prevent breakouts while visibly brightening discoloration and uneven skin tone. Great for acne-prone and oily skin, this resurfacing cream mask restores skin moisture while gently balancing the skin.

– ULTA

I was unsure of how effective this mask would be, with how thick the cream is. With a scent resembling a bit too much like earwax and the consistency of slightly malleable cream cheese, applying this mask took some getting used to. However, the results can’t be overlooked – this is one of the few night creams that delivers on making the skin look plump and refreshed the next day without irking my acne-prone skin. For this reason, alongside its reasonable price ($21), its become a staple in my routine.

Ingredient Pros and Cons

Ingredients: Centella Asiatica Leaf Water, Butylene Glycol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Betaine, Panthenol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Kernel Oil, BeesWax, Gluconolactone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/ Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/ Capric Triglyceride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine Salicylate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lactic Acid, Water, Niacinamide, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Ethyl Hexanediol, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil.

Significant Pros

• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Water (skin protecting, soothing, humectant and emollient)
• Butylene Glycol (moisturizing humectant)
• Panthenol (soothing moisturizing)
• Glycerin (hydrating)
• Betaine (moisturizing, humectant)
• Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil (moisturizing)
• Niacinamide (brightening, anti-acne, and moisturizing)
• Gluconolactone (PHA exfoliant)
• Lactic Acid (exfoliant)
• Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil (acne-fighting)

Significant Cons

• Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate (fungal acne triggers)

Takeaway

Though there are some ingredients in this list that might stimulate fungal acne, the exfoliants and tea tree leaf oil works to combat acne in tandem, leaving the results of the mask to be calming, moisturizing, and brightening all at the same time. Overall, I’m incredibly pleased with this ingredient list and would recommend others give this product a try (keeping in mind that the application may take some getting used to).