ISNTREE Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid
Works for
ExfoliationSalicylic acid, Allantoin + 1 moreWorks well
“Refine rough skin with this exfoliating toner infused with 2% BHA to slough off dead skin cells and accelerate skin cell turnover.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: salicylic acid.
MoisturizingGlycerin, Biosaccharide gum-1 + 6 moreWorks
“Refine rough skin with this exfoliating toner infused with 2% BHA to slough off dead skin cells and accelerate skin cell turnover. Additional ingredients like tannin (extracted from chestnut shells) tighten enlarged pores and remove unwanted shine, while hyaluronic acid and sodium hyaluronate keep moisture levels high.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": biosaccharide gum-1, glycerin.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).
Anti-blemishSide benefit · Salicylic acid, Allantoin + 1 moreWorks well
This product can help reduce breakouts and clogged pores because it contains the following ingredient: salicylic acid. This ingredient is used for treating acne and can have a noticeable effect.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy7 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
3 of 3 community members would buy it again.
I like this better than both of the Paula’s Choice 2% SAs. It feels soothing on the skin rather than stinging. I use it once a week or once every two weeks. The price is much better than Paula’s, too.
J'ai une peau sensible, mixte et à tendance acnéique et je ne le trouve pas du tout irritant. Aide bien pour apaiser l'acné et exfolier en douceur.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Butylene glycol~5.7–8.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolPropanediol~3.5–5.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about Propanediol1,2-hexanediol~1.5–2.2%
Salicylic acid~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidCastanea crenata shell extract~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium hydroxide~1.3–1.9%
Glycerin~1.2–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinBiosaccharide gum-1~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and is claimed to provide a longer-lasting hydration because of its ability to create a water-binding film on the surface of the skin
More about Biosaccharide gum-1Ethylhexylglycerin~0.55–1.25%
Xanthan gum~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHydroxyethylcellulose~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to thicken product formulations and create gel-like textures
More about HydroxyethylcelluloseDisodium edta~0.2–0.75%
Citric acid~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidDipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening
More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizateHyaluronic acid~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. Naturally present in skin. Typically has large molecule size unless advertised otherwise on the product label. Helps support skin's barrier function and may help to reduce inflammation
More about Hyaluronic acidHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidSodium citrate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateSodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSalix alba bark extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect
More about Salix alba bark extractAllantoin~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps calm down inflammation in skin and can help reduce itching. Helps to repair the skin barrier and keep skin hydrated
More about AllantoinIngredient list view
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
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| ISNTREEChestnut BHA 2% Clear LiquidYOUR PRODUCT | Good MoleculesGlycolic Exfoliating Toner | Paula's choiceResist Anti-Aging Daily Pore-Refining Treatment BHA Full size | Pixiby Petra Clarity Tonic with Salicylic Acid | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 89% | 88% | 86% |
| Price | — | $14.00 | $50.80 | $13.38 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Panthenol | Glycolic Acid |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion Tonere.l.f. Cosmetics Thirst Burst Pore-fecting Toner
Product summary
"ISNTREE - Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid" is effective for: Anti-blemish and Exfoliation
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Salicylic acid (0.90% - 1.35%). This is an oil-soluble exfoliating acid. Because of this property, it can work inside pores and help reduce the congestion. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treat acne. Because it is a quite strong exfoliator, be careful with using this product too often: it could result in over-exfoliation.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.05% - 0.15%, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid 0.05% - 0.25%, hyaluronic acid 0.10% - 0.35%, biosaccharide gum-1 0.90% - 1.30% and glycerin 1.20% - 1.70%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "ISNTREE" is cruelty free and so is its parent company.
Price
The product retails from 12.60$ up to 21.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Beta Hydroxy Acidsfda.gov
- 4A review of toxicity from topical salicylic acid preparationssciencedirect.com
- 5
- 6
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