Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid Versus Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid versus Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence .

Last updated on March 06, 2024. Published on November 01, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 10 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, 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.

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Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence

Exfoliator South Korean Brand

Essence South Korean Brand

Exfoliator

Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.

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 BHA 2% Clear Liquid

Starts at $10.49

Shop

Buy Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence

Starts at $13.58

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 36 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

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 36 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

BHA

Hyaluronic Acid (3)

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing

Reduces Irritation

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying

Irritating (2)

Rosacea

Eczema

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

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Ingredients Compared

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

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 36 ingredients

Water • Butylene Glycol • Propanediol • 1,2-Hexanediol • Salicylic Acid • Castanea Crenata Shell Extract • Sodium Hydroxide • Glycerin • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Ethylhexylglycerin • Xanthan Gum • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Disodium EDTA • Citric Acid • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Hyaluronic Acid • Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid • Sodium Citrate • Sodium Hyaluronate • Salix Alba Bark Extract • Allantoin

Water • Glycerin • Butylene Glycol • Potassium Hydroxide • Portulaca Oleracea Extract • Sodium Hyaluronate • Glyceryl Caprylate • Panthenol • Madecassoside • Allantoin • 1,2-Hexanediol • Hydroxyethylcellulose • Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder • Glycolic Acid 4% • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Dextrin • Lactic Acid 4.02% • Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • Sucrose Stearate • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract • Asiaticoside • Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate • Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine • Madecassic Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin • Centella Asiatica Extract • Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract • Castanea Crenata Shell Extract • Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract • Asiatic Acid • Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetearyl Alcohol

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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.

Water

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 1.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 1.

Butylene Glycol

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 BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 2.

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

1,2-Hexanediol

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 BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 4.

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

Castanea Crenata Shell Extract

What it does: Skin Conditioning

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 Extract

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 6.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 32.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin 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 Glycerin

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 8.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 2.

Ethylhexylglycerin

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (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.

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 10.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 29.

Hydroxyethylcellulose

What it does: Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

Community Rating: Mixed

Hydroxyethylcellulose is used to improve the texture of products. It is created from a chemical reaction involving ethylene oxide and alkali-cellulose. Cellulose is a sugar found in plant cell walls and help give plants structure.

Hydroxyethylcellulose helps stabilize products by preventing ingredients from separating. It can also help thicken the texture of a product.

This ingredient can also be found in pill medicines to help our bodies digest other ingredients.

Learn more about Hydroxyethylcellulose

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 12.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 12.

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Extracts of licorice have demonstrated to have antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant properties.

One component, glabridin, has extra potent antioxidant and soothing properties. It has also been found to block pigmentation from UVB rays in guinea pigs.

Licorice Root also contains a flavonoid. Flavonoids are a natural substance from in plants. Flavonoids also have antioxidant properties.

Another component, glycyrrhizin, has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. This may make licorice root extract effective at treating acne. However, more research is needed to support this.

Liquiritin is one of the flavone compounds found in licorice. It has been found to help lighten skin by preventing tyrosinase from reacting with tyrosine. When the two react, protein is converted to melanin. Melanin is the substance in your body that gives your features pigmentation.

Licorice root is native to Southern Europe and Asia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with respiratory issues.

Learn more about Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 15.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 19.

Sodium Hyaluronate

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 BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 19.

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

Allantoin

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

Community Rating: Loved

Allantoin 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 Allantoin

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid contains this as ingredient number 21.

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 36 ingredients

52% are loved or liked

29% have mixed ratings

14% are disliked or very disliked

5% have no rating yet

61% are loved or liked

19% have mixed ratings

6% are disliked or very disliked

14% have no rating yet

Usage

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

When to use

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence 36 ingredients

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

4.7 /5

from 6 ratings

Absorbs Well (2) Great Value (2) Hydrating (2) Light (2) Works Well (2) No Scent (1)

BrittBrine

5 months ago · Sensitive Skin

Review

HG! This is my favorite chemical exfoliant I have ever used! I will use this forever!
It's a watery toner but the next morning my face looks so...

HG! This is my favorite chemical exfoliant I have ever used! I will use this forever!
It's a watery toner but the next morning my face looks so nice and feels so smooth. It has helped with acne and doesn't sting if using on healthy skin. It also doesn't dry out my skin if I leave it on for a while before putting other products on.

Isntree

Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid

ChantelleAng

1 month ago · Combination Skin

Review

GREAT exfoliator for ppl with sensitive skin. so gentle and is very effective. its so much better than paula's choice for me, so much more gentle...

GREAT exfoliator for ppl with sensitive skin. so gentle and is very effective. its so much better than paula's choice for me, so much more gentle highly recc!!!

Isntree

Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid