Panoxyl Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid

Versus

Panoxyl Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid Versus Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid

Updated on March 06, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe exfoliators. 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 and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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.

New Comparison

Panoxyl Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid

Exfoliator

American Brand United States

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid

Exfoliator

South Korean Brand

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Panoxyl Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid 15 ingredients

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Panoxyl Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid 15 ingredients

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Notable Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid

Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

BHA • Preservative • 5 Benefits • 4 Concerns

Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Liked Full details ->

Betaine Humectant, Skin Conditioning

3 Benefits

Betaine is a common humectant (a substance that promotes retention of moisture). It's known to be gentle on the skin and can help balance hydration.

Loved Full details ->

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Chamomilla Recutita Extract Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Helps reduce irritation

Chamomilla Recutita Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Liked Full details ->

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

0 / 0

2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Hydroxyacetophenone Antioxidant

Antioxidant

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

Liked Full details ->

Pentylene Glycol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

Mixed Full details ->

Phenoxyethanol Preservative

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Potassium Sorbate Preservative

Preservative

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Disliked Full details ->

Propanediol Solvent

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Liked Full details ->

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Loved Full details ->

Sodium Benzoate Masking, Preservative

Preservative

Sodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.

Disliked Full details ->

Sodium Citrate Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Mixed Full details ->

Sorbic Acid Preservative

Preservative • May worsen Eczema

Sorbic Acid is a preservative. It is the most commonly used food preservative in the world.

Very Disliked Full details ->

Spirulina Platensis Extract Skin Protecting

Spirulina Platensis Extract comes from the alga called Spirulina platensis. It has wound-healing, antioxidant, and soothing properties.

Disliked Full details ->

Salicylic Acid 2%, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, Chamomilla Recutita Extract, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Pentylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Propanediol, Water, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sorbic Acid, Spirulina Platensis Extract

Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid

Water Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Loved Full details ->

Butylene Glycol Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

1 / 0

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

1 Com. / 0 Irr.

Mixed Full details ->

Propanediol Solvent

Liked Full details ->

1,2-Hexanediol Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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.

Mixed Full details ->

Salicylic Acid Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

BHA • Preservative • 5 Benefits • 4 Concerns

Liked Full details ->

Castanea Crenata Shell Extract Skin Conditioning

Castanea Crenata Shell Extract comes from the shell of the chestnut.

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Sodium Hydroxide Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

Mixed Full details ->

Glycerin Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

0 / 0

2 Benefits

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Biosaccharide Gum-1 Skin Conditioning

Biosaccharide Gum-1 is a sugar created from fermented sorbitol. Most sorbitol is made from potato starch.

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Ethylhexylglycerin Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

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Xanthan Gum Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

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Hydroxyethylcellulose Emulsion Stabilising, Stabilising

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.

Mixed Full details ->

Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

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Citric Acid Buffering, Masking

AHA • 4 Benefits • 2 Concerns

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

Disliked Full details ->

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate Humectant, Skin Conditioning

3 Benefits

Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate comes from licorice root.

Liked Full details ->

Hyaluronic Acid Humectant, Moisturising, Skin Conditioning

Hyaluronic Acid • 4 Benefits • May cause irritation

Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a humectant, meaning it draws moisture to your skin.

Loved Full details ->

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid Humectant, Skin Conditioning

Hyaluronic Acid

Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid is a form of hyaluronic acid. It is created by the hydrolysis of hyaluronic acid with a high molecular weight. Once created, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid has a low molecular weight.

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Sodium Citrate Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Mixed Full details ->

Sodium Hyaluronate Humectant, Skin Conditioning

0 / 0

Hyaluronic Acid

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

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Salix Alba Bark Extract Astringent, Skin Conditioning, Soothing

Good for Oily Skin

Salix Alba Bark Extract comes from the white willow tree, which is native to Europe and Central Asia.

Liked Full details ->

Allantoin Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Soothing

0 / 0

3 Benefits

Allantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.

0 Com. / 0 Irr.

Loved Full details ->

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Salicylic Acid

Masking, Preservative, Skin Conditioning

Liked

This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.

Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.

Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.

It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.

In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.

While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.

If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.

Learn more about Salicylic Acid

Butylene Glycol

Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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.

Glycerin

Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

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

Propanediol

Solvent

Liked

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Water

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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

Sodium Citrate

Buffering, Masking

Mixed

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Sodium Citrate helps maintain the pH of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Sodium Citrate is a chelating agent. It neutralizes metal ions from water and prevents them from binding to other ingredients. This ensures the other ingredients will not be altered.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate

Ingredient Ratings

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

Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid

liked

mixed

disliked

not rated

When to use

Panoxyl Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid 15 ingredients

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid 21 ingredients

29 Routines

38% use in am

62% use in pm

83% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

205 Routines

16% use in am

84% use in pm

44% use every day

When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Panoxyl Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid 15 ingredients

Clarifying Exfoliant 2% Salicylic Acid hasn't been rated yet.

Rate it now

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

6 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

2 months 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