Introduction
Hanyul may not enjoy the same global spotlight as some of its K-beauty cousins, yet those who have wandered into the brand’s nature-inspired lineup know it rarely misses the mark. Drawing on traditional botanical wisdom with a modern chemist’s precision, Hanyul has earned a quiet but loyal following for formulas that feel considerate rather than showy.
Enter the Chestnut Shell Pore-Tight Pads, a name that sounds equal parts snack and skincare experiment. According to Hanyul these pre-soaked rounds promise a tidy three-step benefit: sweep away dead cells, whisk off lingering grime and persuade lazy pores to tighten up, all courtesy of chestnut-derived LHA teamed with AHA and PHA. The brand suggests a quick once-over after cleansing or a five-minute pore mask moment for extra credit.
I spent a full two weeks wiping, waiting and scrutinizing to see if these pads could live up to their confident claim and, more importantly, if they warrant a place in your routine and budget. The verdict unfolds below.
What is Chestnut Shell Pore-Tight Pads?
At its core this product is a chemical exfoliant delivered on pre-soaked cotton rounds, designed for anyone looking to keep pores looking smaller and clearer. Classified as a pore treatment, it targets the surface of the skin where dead cells and excess sebum tend to collect and stretch pore walls. The idea is simple: swipe the pad across clean skin to dislodge buildup then let the blend of acids and chestnut-derived LHA continue working for a few minutes before moving on with the rest of your routine.
Unlike physical scrubs that rely on grit, the formula leans on a trio of water-soluble acids. AHA loosens the bonds between tired surface cells, PHA offers a gentler exfoliation for those who find traditional acids too sharp and LHA, sourced from chestnut shell, dives slightly deeper to clear out pore linings while encouraging elasticity. The brand suggests a brief application after cleansing as a maintenance step or leaving a pad on oil-prone zones for up to ten minutes when the T-zone is acting up. In short, it is a leave-on chemical exfoliant geared toward congestion control and a smoother looking canvas.
Did it work?
In the spirit of hard science I heroically benched my regular pore serum for three whole days before starting these pads, convinced that my sacrifice would make Pasteur proud. Fourteen days felt like a solid window to see what chestnut wizardry could actually do, so I used one pad nightly after cleansing and parked an extra one across my nose once every three nights for the suggested five minute “intensive care” session.
The first swipe delivered a faint tingle that subsided by the time I reached my jaw. Skin looked a touch brighter the next morning but nothing Instagram would gasp at. By day four sebaceous shine along my cheeks seemed slightly muted and makeup clung a bit longer before surrendering to midday humidity. Encouraging, though the visible size of my pores still read the same in my magnifying mirror.
Week two brought the real verdict. Texture along my forehead felt smoother to the touch and I noticed fewer tiny congestion bumps around the brows. However the deeper craters on my nose carried on unfazed and a faint dry patch surfaced near the corners of my mouth, suggesting the acid trio might be tipping my balance from combination to cranky. I dialed usage back to every other night and the patch calmed but any illusion of pore “tightening” remained subtle at best.
So did it work? Partly. The pads are competent at deglazing surface oil and delivering a gentle polish yet they stop short of the dramatic pore recoil implied by the product name. I appreciate the mild approach and botanical angle but I will retreat to my trusty treatment for long term duty and keep these in mind only when my skin needs a polite reset rather than a power move.
Main ingredients explained
Front and center is capryloyl salicylic acid, the chestnut shell derived LHA that gives the pads their name. Think of it as salicylic acid’s more refined cousin: oil soluble enough to slip inside pores yet slightly larger in size so it works at a measured pace. That slower action is why the formula manages to clear debris without the sting often felt with pure BHA.
Backing up the LHA you have a classic acid tag team. Glycolic acid represents the AHA category, loosening the bonds that keep dull surface cells hanging on. Gluconolactone, a PHA, does a similar job but adds a humectant side gig so skin does not feel stripped afterward. Together the trio tackles both the pore lining and the outermost layer which explains the smoother texture I saw by week two.
Niacinamide shows up in a respectable second position on the ingredient list. Beyond its well documented brightening and barrier support credentials, it has the handy skill of tempering excess sebum over time. That may be why my cheeks looked less like a mirror halfway through the day even though the pads are not overtly mattifying.
Adenosine makes a quiet appearance to encourage a bit of wrinkle softening and skin repair, while meadowfoam seed oil slips in to seal moisture. Meadowfoam scores low on the comedogenic scale which means it is unlikely to clog pores compared with thicker oils but anyone extremely prone to breakouts should still patch test. The formula also contains Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin), an emollient that adds slip and can sit on the surface; its clogging potential is considered low yet exists, so blemish prone users should keep an eye on any new congestion.
Fermented extracts from water hyacinth and yeast plus a garden lineup of cardamom, fennel, saffron and pine lend antioxidant support more for long term resilience than overnight drama. Fragrance is present near the bottom so the herbal scent is intentional though far from overpowering in use.
Animal by products are absent and the ferments are microorganism derived which means the formulation is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. In terms of pregnancy safety the pads contain a salicylic acid derivative and a blend of exfoliating acids; while concentrations appear mild, most dermatologists advise avoiding leave on exfoliants unless cleared by your doctor so proceed with professional guidance if you are expecting or nursing.
A final note: the pH measures just under 4 which lets the acids function efficiently yet still sits within the skin friendly range, explaining why the product felt active but never harsh during my trial.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick lowdown after two weeks of nightly swiping:
What works well:
- Balances gentle exfoliation with minimal sting so even my temperamental cheeks stayed calm
- Noticeable bump smoothing and reduced midday shine thanks to the LHA, AHA and niacinamide combo
- Herbal citrus scent is light and fades fast which keeps the experience pleasant without feeling perfumey
What to consider:
- Pore tightening effect is modest so those chasing a drastic blurring result may feel underwhelmed
- Dry patches can crop up on drier areas if used daily requiring a slower ramp up
- Price per pad sits on the higher side for a product that functions best as a maintenance step rather than a game changer
My final thoughts
After two weeks of disciplined use I land at a comfortable 7.5/10 for the Chestnut Shell Pore-Tight Pads. They tidy texture, temper shine and do so without turning my face into a tomato which is more than I can say for several fiery acid cocktails I have tried over the years. Still, the pore shrinking promise reads louder on the marketing sheet than it does in the mirror. If you mainly need a mellow chemical polish that will not bully sensitive areas this is a solid option. If you are chasing a near airbrushed T-zone you will probably want to recruit something stronger for backup.
I would recommend the pads to combination or oily skin types who are new to leave-on acids or anyone who prefers a swipe-and-go step over layering liquids. Drier or highly reactive complexions should approach with caution, and veterans of high-strength BHAs may find the results a little polite. Were I to repurchase? Only for the role of gentle maintenance, not as my primary pore workhorse. Would I tell a friend to buy it? Yes, if their expectations are set to realistic and their budget allows for a product that performs reliably rather than dramatically.
For readers weighing other options, a few alternatives I have used and rate highly are worth mentioning. Deascal’s Poreless Perfection Serum is an excellent all-rounder that balances oil control with steady hydration at a friendlier price point. Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner brings a light niacinamide boost that keeps shine down without stripping. StriVectin’s Super Shrink Pore Minimizing Serum offers a noticeable blurring effect in about a week thanks to its retinol-adjacent complex. If you like a fresh-fruity ritual Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-tight Toner delivers gentle exfoliation wrapped in calming cactus water and never tips my skin into dryness.
Before you slot any of these into your lineup remember a few boring-but-important truths. Patch test first (sorry for sounding like the over-protective parent I apparently am) and give any pore treatment at least a fortnight of consistent use before judging. Even the best formulas require upkeep to hold results so keep those pads or serums in rotation if you want the smoother canvas to stick around.