Propolis?
I was a little surprised to find an effective BHA in Asian Skincare due to the strict regulation of Salicylic Acid limiting what can be sold in over the counter products. But! Excited as always to try new things, I gave this a go.
Claims
Ingredients
Propolis Extract (60%), Alcohol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Water, Glycolic Acid, Betaine Salicylate (1%), Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Allantoin, Cassia Obtusifolia Seed Extract, 1,2 -Hexanediol, Ethyl Hexanediol, Tea Tree Leaf Oil, PEG 60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil.
Here’s a cute chart explaining the role of each ingredient.
I wish more companies did this. I probably would have skipped this product if they hadn’t specified that the Tea Tree Oil was only really in there for aroma-therapy as I’ve had poor experiences with the essential oil in the past.
Why I was so excited to try this.
Propolis. It’s a resinous substance that bees use to construct their hives. Topically applied in humans, propolis possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and has been shown to promote wound healing. Whoo! Exciting stuff!
My Experience
The product arrived in late January, so I decided to dedicate February to testing the A-Sol, and I used it as my only BHA for 23 days when I realised that it alone wasn’t enough for my skin.
The consistency is like water, it doesn’t sting and the tea tree fragrance is strong but not lingering. During my testing period it really impressed me as I had a lot of super gross hormonal acne on my chin, cheek and eyebrow (yuk), and the A-Sol made quick work of dominating them. I agree with COSRX’s claims, it does an amazing job at healing.
However, by the end of the month, I realised that the A-Sol (Acne + Solution) works so much better as a spot treatment (as directed by the instructions on the box) than an all over BHA for prevention so I reintroduced my regular BHA the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Spot Stress Control Ultra-light Spot Treatment Moisturiser back into my routine.
It was my wishful thinking that I could use the A-Sol as anything else. I’ve found that while it isn’t strong enough as a sole BHA product for me, using it in the morning and using my regular BHA at night is much better for my skin. I tried doubling up on my Neutrogena BHA but that just lead to over exfoliation and sadness, so this is perfect.
Even though this product didn’t dramatically change my life and give me perfect skin (what does right?), it is now an essential part in my skincare routine. If you already use a strong BHA, this probably isn’t going to be enough for you, but as a spot treatment and ‘top up’ chemical exfoliator if like me you’re afraid of peels then this is perfect.
-x-
I bought mine from Jolse’s eBay page (jolse_cosmetics) and the free shipping option came with a tracking number which is awesome! WishTrend & Jolse are the two main retailers of COSRX that seem to have a good working relationship with the brand so they get a lot of the newer items first. I know other retailers like RRS and Cosmetic Love also stock COSRX.
Shop around for the best price and only buy from trusted retailers!
adoredee 
After reading your review it made me want to buy this product more. I’m suffering from a terrible acne breakout right now 😦 that I wish if only I could just rip the skin off my face and replace it with a new one -_-
LikeLike
Aww! Now I just want to give you a big hug! I have those feelings too sometimes, but it gets better! The A-Sol has been a big help in that, but like with anything in skincare your experience might be different from mine. If you do decide to get it, I hope it works for you! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Adoredee for hearing my sentiment. I appreciate your positivity, which I honestly need right now. Blogging has just become my escape to talk or share thoughts with those who have experienced the same problem as I do now. At the moment I am trying the OST vitamin c20 serum. So far I don’t see any big improvements yet as I have just started using it yesterday. So hopefully it will work wonders. But other than that, I still want to purchase this along side with the Cosrx’s Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and for the whitehead one. 🙂 a thank you so much! Please keep writing as I like the content of your posts, very informative 👍 I sure will keep posted 💕☺️ xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad that my ramblings are of some help to you! I think after two weeks you start to see a change with the OST, though I’m not sure as I haven’t used it before. I’ve just heard!
I’m interested in the snail essence too! I tried a sample of the snail cream and really just love it! I haven’t bought it because I still have two tubes of Mizon’s Snail Gel to go through before I can buy anything else! It seems we have similar wishlists! I look forward to reading more posts from your lovely blog!
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, you write very well and I like it 🙂 I really hope so too dear. I’ve never ever experienced anything this serious, not even in my teenage years, only now. So it’s really worrying. But I am still hoping for the best. As you said, it will get better 🙂
Oh I nearly ordered Mizon’s Snail Gel last week. I just didn’t yet cause I still have the Skin Watchers Green Snail intensive cream which I am happy too cause it works well on my skin. 🙂 have a lovely day and see you around 👸💛
LikeLike
That’s exactly my experience. This product has been wonderful as a spot treatment for breakouts but somehow isn’t really enough. So I’m thinking about introducing a stronger BHA…
LikeLike
It’s a great spot treatment, but it really isn’t strong enough for an all over BHA, it only has 1% Betaine Salicylate after all!
As much as I love Asian Beauty Skincare, I don’t think I’ll ever be relying on Asian Brands for my BHA if they don’t have Salicylic Acid as I think my skin just really loves that ingredient. I know COSRX has a BHA that has 4% Betaine Salicylate, so that might be something to try next? Have you used a BHA before this one?
LikeLike
I started my journey with actives with the AHA Serum from Mizon and my skin is fine with it. In fact, it is even feels a bit too weak but that’s maybe because it’s an AHA which is more targeted towards dry skin and my skin is normal with an oily T-Zone. I really want to try a BHA, so I’m currently eyeing the Blackhead BHA from Cosrx ^^
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love my bha too! 🙂
Have you looked at Paula’s Choice chemical exfoliants? They have a really great range, to suit most skin types. And their pH levels for exfoliants are bang on. I use their bha 2‰ liquid, and their gel to spot treat. I also use their 10‰ weekly aha treatment. It’s really made a difference in my skin. Glad to meet a fellow blogger who also has oily and dehydrated skin:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never tried anything Paula’s Choice, but I hear great things about them all the time. I really should just try one of their samples and see if it’s something for me.
Oily.dehydrated sisters unite!
LikeLike