Isntree

Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence.

Masks & Peels

About this product

An exfoliating essence with alpha hydroxy acids designed to gently exfoliate dry, rough skin and lighten dark spots.

Full ingredients

Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Panthenol, Madecassoside, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Glycolic Acid, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Dextrin, Lactic Acid (4.023%), Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Sucrose Stearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycolic Acid (4.004%), Asiaticoside, Glycereth-25 Pca Isostearate, Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine, Madecassic Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centella Asiatica Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Castanea Crenata (Chestnut) Shell Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Asiatic Acid, Lactic Acid, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Guru Score

77%

Yay

Early verdict · Few reviews so far

2Gurus

2Yay

0Mixed

0Nay

What they liked

Dual AHA blend targets multiple skin depths
Lightweight hydrating texture
Fragrance-free

What they flagged

Tacky sensation on application

What the gurus are saying

This dual-AHA formula (4% glycolic and 4% lactic acid) delivers visible lightening on dark spots while remaining hydrating, a combination gurus praise for dry sensitive skin. The liquid texture requires careful application, typically painted on with a finger. Though higher AHA percentages are unusual in skincare, those with dryness appreciate that this formula hydrates while it exfoliates, and it pairs safely with tretinoin.

Synthesized from 2 expert reviews · most recent take December 2024

Best for

Dry skin

Type

Masks & PeelsLiquid

Key actives

Hyaluronic acidAHA

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

✓Yay

"This clear Essence I think is a great option for people who have dry sensitive skin. Alpha hydroxy acids can be particularly beneficial for dry skin but it's easy to overdo them and further worsen dryness and cause a lot of irritation. It all is contingent on kind of the overall formulation of the product as well as what else you're using with it and how frequently you're using it but this particular Essence is great for dry rough and bumpy skin."

All 4 takes from Dr Dray

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"I've used that several times not really enough to appreciate much of a difference but it is a nice lightweight exfoliating hydrating toner with alpha hydroxy acids very mild. I've taken it down to my neck without any neck irritation. I've been using it alongside of tretinoin with no issue. Alpha hydroxy acids depending on how the product overall is formulated, they hydrate, they also soften and gently exfoliate rough dry skin. So overall this type of product you can expect to have smoother skin, perhaps better moisture retention, and also can aid in the lightening of dark spots hyperpigmentation. I obviously haven't been using it long enough to really determine if I'm seeing those effects for myself with it, but that's what they do. I like that it's fragrance free."

Trying Isntree Chestnut AHA | Skincare Vlog

"It's a liquid and it can help soften dry rough skin texture. I just paint a thin layer on with my finger under my cheeks, with my skin a little bit damp but not soaking wet. I don't use it around my eyes because I can end up being too dry in there. I do my forehead, but I haven't really noticed a huge change with this, but so far I haven't hated it either. It's free of fragrance and it's a little unwieldy to use because it is a liquid, but I just put it in the palm of my hand and kind of paint it on."

New Budget Friendly Moisturizer | Skincare Vlog

"The Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence has been working really well for me. I do this painting technique with my finger to really apply it because there are a lot of sensory nerve endings in your finger pad and you can really feel where you are applying. I came across an old video of myself and I have this little freckle here that I've had since I was a little kid, and I swear it's gotten lighter compared to those old photographs. I was looking back and I was like wow that freckle is a lot darker a couple of years ago. When you document your face every day you've got that to look back on."

AliceintheRabbitHole

59k subs

✓Yay

"I don't use AHA ingredients too often, I have to be really cautious spacing them out in my routine, but I have to admit this is an excellent option for AHA ingredients. We don't see these higher percentages too often, this product uses 4% glycolic acid and 4% lactic acid to target different levels of your skin for exfoliating. For me personally this one does have a little bit of a tacky sensation, but it's such a rare category, especially in K-beauty, and I do appreciate it. I appreciate that they upgraded it to fragrance-free too."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids loosen the bonds holding dead cells at the surface. The evidence supports smoother texture and more even tone over time, and they can leave skin more sensitive to sun.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence?

An exfoliating essence with alpha hydroxy acids designed to gently exfoliate dry, rough skin and lighten dark spots.

Is Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence worth it?

Yes. All 2 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 77%.

What is Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence's Guru Score?

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence holds a Guru Score of 77%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 2 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence best for?

Isntree Chestnut AHA 8% Clear Essence is generally suited to dry skin.