Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence Versus Isntree Chestnut PHA 5% Clear Cream
Updated on October 30, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, 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
Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 25 ingredients
Isntree Chestnut PHA 5% Clear Cream 38 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 25 ingredients
Isntree Chestnut PHA 5% Clear Cream 38 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycolic Acid
Buffering
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Potassium Hydroxide
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Asiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMadecassic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract
Skin ProtectingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
EmulsifyingSucrose Stearate
EmollientCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientHydroxyethylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Potassium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Asiaticoside, Asiatic Acid, Madecassic Acid, Madecassoside, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Allantoin, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Sucrose Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Ethylhexylglycerin
Water
Skin ConditioningGluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
Betaine
Humectant
Ethylhexyl Stearate
Emollient
Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)
EmollientCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningCalendula Officinalis Flower Extract
Masking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Stearate
Emulsifying
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPalmitic Acid
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Cetearyl Olivate
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Disodium EDTA
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sodium PCA
HumectantMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Glycerin
Humectant
Tromethamine
BufferingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingT-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Propanediol
SolventEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCastanea Crenata Shell Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Betaine, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), Centella Asiatica Extract, Chenopodium Quinoa Seed Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Sorbitan Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Palmitic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Panthenol, Disodium EDTA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sodium PCA, Myristic Acid, Beta-Glucan, Ceramide NP, Madecassoside, Glycerin, Tromethamine, Hydrogenated Lecithin, T-Butyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Castanea Crenata Shell Extract
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 WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about Glycerin1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
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 preservatives
Castanea Crenata Shell Extract comes from the shell of the chestnut.
Studies show chestnut shells to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Antioxidants protect your skin against damaging molecules. This may help reduce the signs of aging.
Learn more about Castanea Crenata Shell ExtractPanthenol 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 PanthenolCentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractMadecassoside comes from the super popular skin-soothing ingredient, Centella asiatica. It is one of four active compounds found in the extract of Centella Asiatica.
Madecassoside has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hydrating properties. It contains fatty acids, amino acids, beta-carotene, and phytochemicals.
One study found using Madecassoside with ascorbic acid helped reduce the signs of aging and improved skin hydration.
Learn more about MadecassosideCetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 25 ingredients
Isntree Chestnut PHA 5% Clear Cream 38 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 25 ingredients
this works so well!! it got rid of all my texture. my skin looks and feels so smooth. it’s very light on the skin and absorbs almost immediately. the only reason why i rated this product 4 stars is bc it gave me fungal acne on my forehead :( i didn’t think this product would trigger my fungal acne as it only has one ingredient (cetearyl alcohol) that isn’t fungal acne safe. but thankfully i Show more
it felt very light and was the first ever essence i used but really worked well. But the fact that it feels so light makes you want to put more because it feels like you’ve put nothing on your skin.
