COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner Versus Isntree Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner
Updated on June 17, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free, fungal acne (malassezia) safe, and reef safe toners. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, fragrances, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 11 ingredients
Isntree Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner 32 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 11 ingredients
Isntree Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingBetaine Salicylate 0.9%
Antimicrobial
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract
EmollientTrehalose
HumectantAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningHizikia Fusiforme Extract
Skin ConditioningBorago Officinalis Extract
Emollient
Salix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Salvia Sclarea Extract
AntiseborrhoeicEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCentaurea Cyanus Flower Extract
AstringentAloe Ferox Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningSoy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Codium Fragile Extract
Skin ConditioningGelidium Cartilagineum Extract
Skin ProtectingHyacinthus Orientalis Extract
Skin ConditioningCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
Humectant
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSea Salt Extract
Skin Conditioning
Tromethamine
BufferingWater, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Xanthan Gum, Betaine Salicylate 0.9%, Glycyrrhiza Uralensis Extract, Trehalose, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Powder, Soy Isoflavones, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Codium Fragile Extract, Gelidium Cartilagineum Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sea Salt Extract, Tromethamine
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.Â
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservativesÂ
Betaine Salicylate is considered a salicylic acid alternative.
Limited studies exist proving this ingredient to be a complete alternative to salicylic acid. Based on existing research, this ingredient does not penetrate as deeply and is not shown to be as effective.
However, this makes it a great choice for those with sensitive skin or need gentle BHA action.
This ingredient is created using betaine and salicylic acid.
This ingredient is oil-soluble and is most effective at a pH range of 3.8-4.2.
Learn more about Betaine SalicylateAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 11 ingredients
Isntree Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner 11 ingredients
It feels nice on my skin, very gentle and hydrating. I like how it doesn't have fragrance. It does have a subtly medicine smell but I think that's because of the ingredients, it's soothing and not too overpowering. This toner leaves my skin glowy the next morning whenever I use it the night before. I use this everyday since my skin got accustomed to it, used to only use it once a week, every week, Show more
A staple in my skin care routine that I stock up on! My ace scaring and residual red acne marks have overall brightened over time. I noticed specifically this when i introduced it to my skin care routine made a hugeee difference in the severity of my breakouts and the quickness of the fading of my acne marks! Make sure you use sunscreen though because i heard some people say it makes blemishes Show more
Isntree Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner 32 ingredients
I'm sensitive so I can't use salycilic acid, but betaine salicylate I can use because it's a gentler version. I've used this now for around a month to decongest my pores and it works, I still have some on my cheeks but pores around my nose&forehead got cleaned out.
It's FA safe and didn't break me out. Very hydrating. No alcohol, no fragrance.
The one thing I've noticed is that my skin is Show more
I only use this toner in the evening every other day, alternating with benzoyl peroxide (BP). My skin gets red and irritated easily, and as much as BP helps with acne, it doesn't help with the former. Every time I use this toner however, my skin immediately calms down, and I wake up with no irritation, no redness, my pores and sebaceous filaments are a lot less visible, and my cheeks aren't dry or Show more
