If you could only pick one product from this list, this is the one I'd tell you to start with. The COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid has been a staple in K-beauty routines for years — and the reason it keeps coming up is simple: it works consistently, it's gentle enough for most skin types, and at $18–24 for 100ml, it's genuinely excellent value.

The key ingredient is betaine salicylate at 4%, derived from willow bark water. Unlike conventional salicylic acid, betaine salicylate is naturally sourced and tends to be less irritating — which is why this liquid is suitable for daily use rather than once-a-week treatment. It dissolves the sebum and debris sitting inside pores, which is what makes the pores look enlarged in the first place. Over consistent use — typically two to four weeks — the difference is visible.

It also contains niacinamide, which regulates sebum production and supports an even skin tone. The formula is paraben-free, synthetic colorant-free, and mineral oil-free. Vegan and cruelty-free certified.

Apply after cleansing on a cotton pad or by patting directly onto skin. Start every other day if your skin is new to BHA — the formula is gentle, but any acid benefits from a gradual introduction. Always follow with SPF in the morning, since BHA increases photosensitivity.

If you've spent any time on K-beauty TikTok in the last two years, you've seen this pad. The Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0 won YesStyle's 2025 Award for "K-pop idol favourite skincare" — and the brand name has appeared on the shelves of more Korean celebrities than almost any other skincare product in its category. That level of visibility isn't coincidence.

What makes it genuinely interesting is the dual-sided design. One side is textured (embossed dots) to physically remove surface debris and excess sebum. The other is smooth to soothe and moisturise after the exfoliation. It's BHA and AHA on the active side, with panthenol and allantoin on the calming side — a one-step treatment that does what would normally take two or three products.

The convenience is real. At 70 pads per pack, it's a routine you can do in 30 seconds after cleansing. For someone whose morning is already rushed — and whose evenings are spent recovering from the day — that matters.

A note on price: the RRP is around $48 AUD, which puts it at the top end of this list. However, Medicube runs sales regularly, and the price frequently drops to around $29–33. If you're considering this one, it's worth waiting for a sale or checking current pricing before you buy.

This is the gentlest option on the list — and the one I'd recommend if your skin tends to react, or if you're in a sensitive phase right now. You may recognise Beauty of Joseon from the Relief Sun we featured in our Asian sunscreen guide. The brand has a consistent approach: highly concentrated hero ingredients, minimal irritants, EWG green-rated formulas.

The Glow Serum is built around propolis at 60% — the resinous substance bees produce to seal and protect their hives. In skincare, propolis has well-documented anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. At this concentration, it actively calms inflammation (including around congested pores), supports barrier repair, and helps fade the post-breakout marks that often sit alongside visible pores.

The 2% niacinamide regulates sebum and refines the appearance of pores over time. The BHA at 0.5% is low enough to be effective without significant irritation risk. All ingredients are EWG green-rated.

The texture is honey-thick when dispensed — warm two to three drops between palms and press into skin. It absorbs within about 30 seconds and leaves the skin visibly calm. For anyone who has tried stronger BHA products and found them too reactive, this is a meaningful alternative.

If your pore concerns come with a side of uneven skin tone, post-breakout marks, or the beginnings of sun-related pigmentation — this is the serum that addresses all of it at once. You might already know Anua from their Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, which we've covered in our hormonal acne serum guide. This one is the brand's brightening-focused formula, and it does something slightly different.

Niacinamide at 10% is a meaningful concentration — high enough to visibly regulate sebum, tighten pore appearance, and even skin tone over consistent use. It's higher than most formulas, which tend to sit around 2–5%. Tranexamic acid (TXA) at 4% is a skin-brightening ingredient that's been gaining significant traction in K-beauty — it works by interrupting the pigmentation pathway that causes dark spots and uneven tone, without the irritation that vitamin C can sometimes cause.

Together, they address the two things that often come together after a period of hormonal breakouts: enlarged, visible pores and the marks left behind. Ceramide and hyaluronic acid in the formula also mean the skin stays hydrated — which matters because pores can look more visible when the surrounding skin is dry and stressed.

A note on price: the RRP is around $33 AUD but Lila Beauty and iHerb have stocked it at $23–24 during sales. Worth checking current pricing before you buy.