AXIS - Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel Versus Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Updated on May 22, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, oils or parabens
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
AXIS - Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel 20 ingredients
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 71 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
AXIS - Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel 20 ingredients
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 71 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Gluconolactone 10%
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Tromethamine
Buffering1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Sclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientCamellia Japonica Flower Extract
EmollientCarica Papaya Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningPrunus Mume Fruit Extract
Humectant
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
Emollient
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone 10%, Glycerin, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Acrylic Acid/Ma Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Prunus Mume Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Tocopherol
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Salicylic Acid
Masking
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Cajaputi Extract
TonicPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningOenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin Conditioning
Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Zinc Sulfate
Antimicrobial
Triethylhexanoin
MaskingCholesterol
Emollient
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Potassium C11-15 Alkyl Phosphate
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Glycine
Buffering
Glutamic Acid
Humectant
Glutamine
Skin ConditioningLysine
Skin ConditioningMethionine
Skin ConditioningValine
MaskingSerine
Masking
Cysteine
Antioxidant
Citrulline
Skin ConditioningAsparagine
MaskingAspartic Acid
Masking
Isoleucine
Skin ConditioningAlanine
MaskingArginine
Masking
Ornithine
Skin ConditioningTaurine
BufferingTyrosine
MaskingThreonine
Tryptophan
MaskingPhenylalanine
Masking
Proline
Skin ConditioningHistidine
Humectant
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodeceth-16, Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Salix Alba Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Butylene Glycol, Zinc Sulfate, Triethylhexanoin, Cholesterol, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Potassium C11-15 Alkyl Phosphate, Ceramide Ng, Dimethicone, Ceramide As, Ceramide AP, Ceramide Ns, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Glycine, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Lysine, Methionine, Valine, Serine, Cysteine, Citrulline, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Isoleucine, Alanine, Arginine, Ornithine, Taurine, Tyrosine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Phenylalanine, Proline, Histidine, Ceramide EOP, Phytosphingosine, Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterButylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene Glycol1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumEthylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTACentella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.
Studies show the compounds in centella help with:
The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.
Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.
Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.
Learn more about Centella Asiatica ExtractTocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
AXIS - Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel 20 ingredients
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 71 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
AXIS - Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel 20 ingredients
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ 🤎
🥥 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞: 𝐃𝐫𝐲/𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐜𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐳𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞.
🪴 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐬:
𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐈 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐞𝐜𝐳𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐% 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞 (𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐜𝐳𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐨, 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐡𝐚 🥲) 𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐥. 𝐒𝐨 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐇𝐀 𝐞𝐱𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 Show more
I have VERY sensitive skin when it comes to exfoliating acids. I mean it when I say VERY sensitive. the beauty of joseon green plum toner which contains 2.5% glycolic acid and 0.5% salicylic acid always destroyed my skin whenever I tried it, but this PHA peel did not do that at all! I'm left with very supple skin that doesn't feel sensitised.
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 71 ingredients
This is an amazing exfoliator! She is affordable, powerful, little to no scent, non drying and has the added bonus of practical packaging! I use this every 5 days as the only exfoliating product in my routine and she just wipes any closed comedones, sebaceous filaments, clogged pores etc right off. Though it mentions a fragrance there is little to no scent detected for me and I am sensitive to Show more
I've tried both Paula's Choice and Isntree's BHA toners and I find that for my sensitive but acne prone skin this Anua one is far superior. It doesn't have as much of a sticky feeling as the other two (but still some) and also didn't dehydrate or sensitise my skin as much, while still drastically improving my blackheads and acne bumps.
I believe this to be way more beginner-user and sensitive Show more
