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Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid.

Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid
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Masks & Peels
About this product

A 2% salicylic acid exfoliating toner with chestnut extract, designed to unclog pores and smooth skin texture without harsh irritation.

Full ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Castanea Crenata (Chestnut) 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 (Willow) Bark Extract, Allantoin

More from Isntree 32 products · Guru Score 92% →

Guru Score

88%

Yay

7 experts · Moderate agreement
Guru Certified
Broad expert consensus

What the gurus are saying

This BHA exfoliating liquid earns consistent praise for being gentler than typical salicylic acid products, thanks to soothing chestnut extract and hydrating ingredients like sodium hyaluronate that soften the exfoliating experience. Gurus found it smooths skin and helps with breakouts and blackheads without the dryness or stinging many associate with BHAs, making it a standout option for sensitive skin or anyone who finds standard salicylic acid products too harsh. The one practical note: the watery texture works best applied with a cotton round rather than by hand.
Synthesized from 7 expert reviews · most recent take March 2026

What they liked

  • Hydrating formula that doesn't strip or sting
  • Watery texture, easy to apply with a cotton pad

What they flagged

    Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

    Type

    Masks & PeelsLiquid

    Formula notes

    Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

    Where to buy

    Opens a store search. We may earn from these links.

    Scan it in the shopFree iPhone app. Scores in the aisle.

    What the experts use it for.

    The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

    Breakouts and acne2 experts

    “If you have acne, this is phenomenal.”

    Cassandra Bankson, watch at 6:41

    Clogged or visible pores1 expert

    “amazing if you have blackheads.”

    Cassandra Bankson, watch at 8:01

    Redness1 expert

    “I like it because it's not just [...] anti-inflammatory and exfoliating, great for controlling acne, but it also has an additional benefit for helping to control redness.”

    Kelly Driscoll, watch at 3:15

    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
    No BS Beauty
    No BS Beauty
    89k subs
    ✓Yay
    "This one's a really nice option. It's 3.38 ounces and it's $10.50, so this one will save you about $25ish dollars. It's got 2% salicylic acid. It's got licorice root and [allantoin] for soothing. Yeah, so it's a very nice alternative in my opinion to the [Paula's Choice], which is getting kind of pricey."
    Kelly Driscoll
    Kelly Driscoll
    91k subs
    ✓Yay
    "I think Isntree is a little bit of a nicer experience, a little bit more hydration, a little bit more plumping, a little bit softer, a little bit gentler on the [...] skin. I really do appreciate the way that this delivers into the skin with a kiss of hydration. [...] I am happy with it not just as a cheap dupe, but I think as in some circles a superior product."
    All 4 takes from Kelly Driscoll
    Pt.2 Save $$ | Affordable Skincare Dupes for Expensive Products!
    "I really like that there's some extra humectant ingredients in here. This almost feels more like an exfoliating toner than an exfoliating liquid, [...] where it [...] has a slightly more hydrating kind of feel that is just a little bit more pleasant, especially if you're into texture or if you just need every ounce of hydration you can get. I also like that they've included willow bark extract along with the chestnut extract. These are two what I call clarifying ingredients."
    Fade Hyperpigmentation in 3 Steps
    "Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Liquid is also a goodie. It's [...] one of my favorite ingredients that checks all of these boxes for controlling inflammation and exfoliating the skin. [...] I like it because it's not just [...] anti-inflammatory and exfoliating, great for controlling acne, but it also has an additional benefit for helping to control redness."
    Save $$$ | Expensive Skincare Dupes!! Caudalie, Allies of Skin and Paula's Choice Alternatives!
    "I think Isntree is a little bit of a nicer experience, a little bit more hydration, a little bit more plumping, a little bit softer, a little bit gentler on the [...] skin. I really do appreciate the way that this delivers into the skin with a kiss of hydration. [...] I am happy with it not just as a cheap dupe, but I think as in some circles a superior product."
    Slow Morning, Late Summer Skincare Routine
    "I've actually refilled it with the Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid. I like this bottle because it actually sprays upside down and I love the BHA exfoliation for my back which can be prone to breakouts."
    Dr. Jenny Liu
    Dr. Jenny Liu
    324k subs
    ✓Yay
    "This one is great because number one it does contain B so even though BHA we think of it more for like pore congestion acne oiliness it does also offer some chemical exfoliating benefits"
    Dr Dray
    Dr Dray
    2.69M subs
    ✓Yay
    "Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid, I really like it. It's really helping to smooth the skin surface and it's not irritating, although I did find that I've been putting it on my neck and I did find that I got a little bit of dryness back here."
    AliceintheRabbitHole
    AliceintheRabbitHole
    59k subs
    ✓Yay
    "My favorite BHA toner is the Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid. [...] It does contain 2% salicylic acid, [...] but what's different is that it's using a bit of a higher pH, around 3.5 to 4 last time I tested it, and newer research suggests salicylic acid [...] is not pH dependent the way AHAs are."
    Top Pick: bha toner
    All 2 takes from AliceintheRabbitHole
    20 Isntree Products, RANKED: My Favorite K-Beauty Brand!
    "My favorite BHA toner is the Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid. [...] It does contain 2% salicylic acid, [...] but what's different is that it's using a bit of a higher pH, around 3.5 to 4 last time I tested it, and newer research suggests salicylic acid [...] is not pH dependent the way AHAs are."
    The BEST Toners | 2023 Best Skincare Products
    "This is an easier salicylic acid product for me to use, and because I have [...] sensitive skin that's tough to disrupt my barrier so much, this is a great fit for me. As for texture, this one is very watery, so I prefer to apply it with a cotton round. I don't smell anything in this product. [...] I do think it's interesting that they included chestnut, but I feel the real hero ingredient here is of course the salicylic acid."
    Cassandra Bankson
    Cassandra Bankson
    2.46M subs
    ✓Yay
    "They have a chestnut BHA liquid that's really nice and lightweight."
    Sponsored
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    "They have a chestnut BHA liquid that's really nice and lightweight."
    BEST Under $30 Drugstore Skincare Deals - Cyber Monday & Black Friday Budget Finds
    "They have a BHA Chestnut exfoliating liquid that's like a K-beauty version of the Paula's Choice toner, amazing if you have blackheads."
    K Beauty That Actually Delivers
    "And if you've ever used a BHA before, you know that salicylic acid has a tendency to almost like irritate the skin or it can dry it out because it's oil soluble. This is so nice. The chestnut is so soothing. This is like the K beauty version of Paula's Choice BHA exfoliant. It's like the more gentle K beauty version. I love this. It is soothing to the skin. It is wonderful, but it actually does the job. It just does it at a more gentle rate."
    A Post Workout Gym Skincare Routine That Actually Keeps You Glowing
    "This is one of their new products and it is the most gentle BHA toner that I think I've ever used. If you have acne, this is phenomenal. It's for normal to dry skin, but I think oily skin can use it too. [...] I absolutely freaking love it and I love to apply this at night."
    My 21 Favourite Skincare Discoveries Of 2021
    "They help with acne-prone skin, but for a lot of people they can be trying and harsh. This one, this has blown my mind. This toner is like the gentle alternative to the Paula's Choice BHA toner. I have fallen in love with this. And for winter, there are other ingredients in here that act as antioxidants. Why didn't this exist earlier?"
    Finally Addressing My Hair Loss… (while I do my skincare) - My Alopecia Story
    "I have to say this is probably the most gentle BHA that I've ever used. I feel like I can use this before I go out during the day. It is a really light liquid and it just soaks into skin so well, and it doesn't irritate [...] the skin the way that a lot of other BHA products do. This one does have that salicylic acid, but it also has chestnut extract which is wonderful, as well as sodium hyaluronate which is [...] the salt form of hyaluronic acid and it's really nice and hydrating to skin."
    James Welsh
    James Welsh
    1.58M subs
    ✓Yay
    "This is a salicylic acid exfoliating product, and it's really really nice. It's again non-intrusive on the skin, it feels like a lightweight toner with no redness, no irritation, no stinging. They use upcycled chestnut shell, so this is the waste from the chestnut industry that they take and extract for this product. Salicylic acid removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, helps with clogged pores and blackheads, smoothing out skin texture."
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    What the evidence says.

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

    Salicylic acid

    Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

    Source: DermNet

    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 BHA 2% Clear Liquid?

    A 2% salicylic acid exfoliating toner with chestnut extract, designed to unclog pores and smooth skin texture without harsh irritation.

    Is Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid worth it?

    Yes. All 7 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 88%.

    What is Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid's Guru Score?

    Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid holds a Guru Score of 88%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 7 expert reviewers we have collected. It is also Guru Certified, our mark for products that hold broad approval across many expert reviewers.

    Who is Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid best for?

    Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid is generally suited to oily skin and acne-prone skin.

    What is Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid good for, according to the experts?

    In their reviews, experts say Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid is good for breakouts and acne (2 experts), clogged or visible pores (1 expert) and redness (1 expert).

    Is Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid good for breakouts and acne?

    2 experts who reviewed Isntree Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid say it is. Cassandra Bankson put it this way: “If you have acne, this is phenomenal.”

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