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Isntree Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner for oily skin

Superior

  • SuperiorOily Skin Fit
  • HighEffectiveness
  • ExcellentSafety

One of the best toners for oily skin.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.

Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works

Lovi Assistant explains

  • Excellent suitability for your oily skin is provided by betaine salicylate and willow bark extract, which offer effective chemical exfoliation and seboregulation to address oily shine.
  • Panthenol and chamomile extract further soothe and hydrate your skin, enhancing overall comfort and skin barrier function.
  • The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of beneficial soothing components.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliating toner once a week at first, then increase frequency only if your skin feels fine.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner after cleansing and before your moisturizer or SPF.
  • Gently press a few drops of the exfoliating toner into your skin and let it dry.
  • Apply the exfoliating toner on clean and dry skin for the best results.
  • Avoid the eye area and always use sunscreen during the day.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviews

This toner is highly recommended for sensitive, oily, and combination skin, offering gentle exfoliation without irritation. Users frequently report smoother skin texture and reduced oiliness. Some users find it too mild for stubborn blackheads.

Highlights

  • Controls oil Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feeling less shiny by midday”
    • “cuts through excess sebum”
    • “controls oil and blackheads”
    • “normalizes sebum secretion”
  • Gentle exfoliation Often Mentioned
    • “gentle exfoliation without stinging”
    • “mild enough for sensitive skin”
    • “didn't cause any purging”
    • “no irritation or burning sensation”
  • Smoothes texture Often Mentioned
    • “smooths out rough skin texture”
    • “bumps on my skin decreased”
    • “face looks so nice and smooth”
    • “reduced closed comedones”
  • Hydrating finish Sometimes Noted
    • “doesn't dry out my skin”
    • “leaves a glow to the skin”
    • “hydrating and doesn't strip”
    • “absorbs quickly without stickiness”
  • Too mild / Slow Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't work on blackheads”
    • “requires something stronger”
    • “haven't noticed much difference yet”
    • “mild effects... overrated”
  • Scent Rarely Noted
    • “scent is pretty polarizing”
    • “smell is a bit noticeable”
    • “smells like night-time ingredients”
  • Tacky residue Rarely Noted
    • “slipperiness I couldn't get behind”
    • “leaves a matte finish”
  • Watery consistency Rarely Noted
    • “so watery it would slip through fingers”
    • “need to use a cotton round”
    • “hard to apply with hands”

Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, stylekorean.com, reddit.com, youtube.com, yesstyle.com, and more

Questions and answers

What makes Isntree Chestnut BHA 0.9% Clear Toner one of the best fits for oily skin?

This toner is one of the best fits because betaine salicylate and willow bark extract provide effective chemical exfoliation to manage oily shine. Panthenol and chamomile extract also help soothe and hydrate your skin while keeping it comfortable. It is safe for oily skin and is unlikely to cause irritation.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Which ingredients make this toner a good fit for oily skin?

Betaine salicylate and willow bark extract make this toner a great fit by providing chemical exfoliation and controlling oily shine. Panthenol and chamomile extract also help soothe your skin and keep it comfortable.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002

What does Bha do for oily skin?

BHA helps clear pores and keeps oily skin balanced by reducing extra shine and calming breakouts. It works deep inside pores to sweep away oil and dead skin cells, which helps keep skin looking clear and smooth. This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation and may improve overall skin hydration while controlling excess oil.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2014

What does Chestnut Extract do for oily skin?

Chestnut extract is generally safe and helps keep oily skin balanced without clogging pores. This type of ingredient works best for oily skin when it is combined with lightweight hydrators and gentle clarifying components that control shine.

Where does this toner go in a skincare routine for oily skin?

This exfoliating toner goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Start using it once a week, and if your skin tolerates it well and you see good results, you can carefully use it more often.

Can I use this toner with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this exfoliating toner with retinol by applying the toner first, waiting for it to dry completely, and then following with your retinol treatment on alternating nights or separate times of day to keep your skin calm. Using both together in the same routine may raise the likelihood of dryness or irritation, so spacing them out helps protect your skin barrier.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

How often should I use this toner?

Start using this exfoliating toner once a week in your routine, and carefully increase the frequency if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results. This approach helps you avoid irritation while managing oily shine.

Can this toner clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?

This toner is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as it features ingredients that gently clear away dead skin and balance oil. Panthenol and chamomile extract help soothe your skin and keep irritation away.

American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017

Is this toner fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A botanical face cleanser with hops and willow bark extract continuously reduced skin sebum levels without reactive seborrhea after treatment in 21 healthy volunteers compared to a sodium laureth sulfate cleanser, with neither cleanser causing skin irritation.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.

    American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
  • A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.

    The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
  • A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
  • Soaps containing betaine caused the least skin irritation compared to other tested soaps in twenty-eight healthy subjects, though irritation did not decrease with increasing concentrations of betaine.

    Skin Research and Technology, 2003
  • Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.

    CMAJ, 2010
  • A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.

    BioMed Research International, 2020
  • Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
  • Topical application of a cosmetic cleanser containing Diospyros kaki folium, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Castanea crenata var. dulcis extracts reduced skin oil content by 77.3%, pore number by 24.83%, and pore size by 71.43% in healthy volunteers compared to a control cleanser.

    Biomedical Reports, 2015
  • A Castanea sativa spiny burs extract-loaded topical emulsion improved skin hydration, skin elasticity, and reduced periorbital wrinkles in 30 days in healthy human volunteers compared to placebo without altering skin barrier function, sebum, pH, or erythema.

    Pharmaceutics, 2021
  • An antioxidant surfactant-free topical formulation containing Castanea sativa leaf extract demonstrated stable physical and microbiological properties, a release rate of 610 ± 70 µgh(-0.5), and a significant in vivo moisturizing effect lasting at least 4 hours.

    Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2015
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019
  • A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.

    Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017
  • The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
  • Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
  • Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
  • Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.

    Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000
  • Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.

    Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020

Ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Xanthan Gum, Betaine Salicylate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract, Trehalose, Allantoin, Betaine, Hizikia Fusiforme Extract, Borago Officinalis Extract, Willow Bark Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Centaurea Cyanus Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Soy Isoflavones, Chestnut, Amt 100, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Codium Fragile Extract, Hyacinthus Orientalis Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract Matricaria Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower Extract Lavender Flower Extract, Disodium Edta, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hydroxide, Tromethamine

Behind this fit score

Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

How does it fit your skin?

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