This niacinamide toner is gentle, pore-reducing and K-beauty's finest
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If you're my clone and also a skincare enthusiast, you already know that when COSRX drops a product, the beauty world listens.
One of the brand's hidden gems — the COSRX Niacinamide 2% + BHA 4% Blackhead Exfoliating Toner — is now on sale ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2025 (yes, that's on its way, taking place on July 8 to 11), and as someone who's tested hundreds, if not thousands, of beauty products over the years, I can confidently say: this one deserves your attention.
Let's be honest: toners have a reputation for being the 'meh' step in skincare routines. After all, some people consider it the skip-me step, as your best cleanser tends to reign supreme. But this COSRX exfoliant flips the script.
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It's formulated with 2% niacinamide, known for its sebum-regulating and brightening properties, and a potent 4% beta hydroxy acid (BHA)—a high enough concentration to unclog congested pores without over-stripping skin. The result is a daily-use exfoliating toner that leads to fewer blackheads when used consistently and clearer skin.
After reviewing the lion's share of COSRX, this toner has that it-factor and is worth grabbing while it's nearly 30% off before Prime Day. It's one of the best Prime Day early deals the retailer is hosting right now.
From the first use, I noticed how refined my skin felt. Not tight. Not overly exfoliated. Just balanced. That's the COSRX signature: high-performance actives that work in harmony, even for sensitive or acne-prone skin like mine.
This isn't just another salicylic acid toner. COSRX has gone the extra mile with their ingredient list. The BHA here is salicylic acid derived from natural willow bark, which works to decongest pores and slough away dead skin cells with precision. Meanwhile, niacinamide does its multitasking magic: calming redness, refining texture and brightening dull spots.
What really impressed me during testing is how well this formula works with my skin rather than against it. It's alcohol-free, fragrance-free and has a low pH, which makes it suitable for regular use on my sensitive skin. Trust me, I usually have to tread lightly with chemical exfoliants, but this one is so gentle, it *feels* like a moisturizer.
Because it falls under the glass skin-producing product category of Korean skincare, it's one I regularly turn to for that dewy, well-hydrated look. Unlike some harsher BHA treatments I've tried in the past (and promptly shelved), this one keeps skin feeling balanced and fresh, not raw or sensitized. That makes it an ideal option for pretty much anyone.
The bottom line
With Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, this early deal on COSRX's Niacinamide + BHA Toner is worth jumping on. Whether you're battling blackheads, uneven tone or just looking for a gentle-yet-effective exfoliating step, this toner is a standout.
This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what's truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria's latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
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