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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence versus COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on October 29, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe essences. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain AHA and hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, oils, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Essence South Korean Brand South Korea
Essence South Korean Brand South Korea

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Essence

Essences are used to prep skin for further treatment and may provide extra skin benefits. They are usually used before serum and moisturizers. Essences are thought to have originated in either Japan or Korea and is an essential step in K-Beauty.

Price

Shop

Buy Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence

Starts at $13.58
Shop

Buy AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

Starts at $11.59

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

AHA (2)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (5)
Reduces Irritation (7)
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (3)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating (2)
Rosacea (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing
Acne Fighting
Brightening (2)

Concerns

Irritating
Rosacea
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Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Butylene 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.

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient. It is unlikely to irritate skin, and works well with pretty much all other ingredients.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 3.

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 2.

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 6.

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 8.

3
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Panthenol (also referred to as pro-vitamin B5) is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin.

lt is a humectant, meaning that it helps the skin attract and retain moisture.

Another benefit is the anti-inflammatory abilities. This means that it's great for sensitive, irritation-prone skin.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

Learn more about Panthenol

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 8.

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 7.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

1,2-Hexanediol is a multi-tasker ingredient. It acts as a preservative to increase shelf-life and can aid other preservatives in preventing microbe growth. 1,2-Hexanediol also helps the skin retain moisture as a humectant.

In products that are water-based, this ingredient can help stabilize perfumes and fragrances. It can also help make the texture of products softer and more smooth.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 11.

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 6.

5
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Loved

Glycolic Acid is arguably the most famous AHA with research to back up its benefits. Its main role is to peel the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Glycolic Acid has shown to boost collage production, a protein that helps skin stay firm. Overall, Glycolic Acid helps with improving uneven tone, rough patches of skin, fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. It also increases skin hydration by playing a role in creating molecules that create hyaluronic acid naturally.

When applying Glycolic Acid, it is normal to feel slight stinging. The pH value and concentration of glycolic acid play a role in the effectiveness of the product.

Recent studies have shown Glycolic Acid may protect the skin against UV damage. However, you should always wear SPF, especially when using exfoliants.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Glycolic Acid

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 15.

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains this as ingredient number 3.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

61% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
6% are disliked or very disliked
14% have no rating yet
40% are loved or liked
40% have mixed ratings
10% are disliked or very disliked
10% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 36 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 3 ratings
Absorbs Well (2) Works Well (2) Great Value (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1) No Scent (1)
CustardBunny's avatar

CustardBunny

6 months ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

nothing special
feels nice on my skin but doesnt do much, might as well be without it tbh. :) but by all means not a bad product!

COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid 10 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 4 ratings
Light (2) Absorbs Well (2) Irritating (1) Pilling (1) Light Scent (1) No Scent (1)
SpaceyTrxsh's avatar

SpaceyTrxsh

4 months ago · Oily Skin
Review

Seeing forever to see results

Zienn's avatar

Zienn

1 month ago · Oily Skin
Review

oily skin nothing change or happend when use
not working at all. but kinda clean my dead skin off.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 13 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid.

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