Mary Kay Botanical Effects Cleansing Gel Versus Mary Kay Botanical Effects Moisturizing Gel
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Cleansing Gel 36 ingredients
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Moisturizing Gel 32 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
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Cleansing Gel 36 ingredients
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Moisturizing Gel 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
Cleansing
Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate
CleansingGlycerin
Humectant
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
Cleansing
PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate
Emulsifying
Sodium C12-15 Pareth-15 Sulfonate
CleansingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningBenzyl Alcohol
Perfuming
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingEthylene Brassylate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
Masking
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Cyclamen Aldehyde
MaskingGamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
Perfuming
Citronellyl Acetate
MaskingPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
UV Absorber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
UV Absorber
Methyl Dimethylmethylenecyclohexane Carboxylate
MaskingPolyquaternium-7
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Disodium EDTA
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Salicylic Acid
Masking
DMDM Hydantoin
Preservative
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 17200
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Sodium C12-15 Pareth-15 Sulfonate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Benzyl Alcohol, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethyl Linalool, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Gamma-Undecalactone, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Citronellyl Acetate, Propylene Glycol, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Methyl Dimethylmethylenecyclohexane Carboxylate, Polyquaternium-7, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Salicylic Acid, DMDM Hydantoin, CI 14700, CI 17200
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion Stabilising
Disodium EDTA
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingMethylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
Perfuming
Cyclamen Aldehyde
MaskingCitronellyl Acetate
MaskingAmmonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingEthyl Linalool
Masking
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingWater
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingGamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Citric Acid
Buffering
Dimethicone
Emollient
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantCI 47005
Cosmetic ColorantPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Triethanolamine
BufferingSilica
Abrasive
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate
Preservative
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingMethyl Aminomethylcyclohexane Carboxamide Hcl
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningDimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Dipropylene Glycol, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Citronellyl Acetate, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Ethylene Brassylate, Ethyl Linalool, Ethylhexylglycerin, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Water, Caprylyl Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Hexylene Glycol, Gamma-Undecalactone, Citric Acid, Dimethicone, Sodium Benzoate, CI 14700, CI 47005, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Silica, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Methyl Aminomethylcyclohexane Carboxamide Hcl, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract is an extract of the leaves of the aloe, Aloe barbadensis, Liliaceae.
Aloe is one of the most well-known natural soothing ingredients, and for good reason. It’s full of water and has a cooling, calming effect on the skin, especially when it’s sunburned, itchy, or irritated. Aloe also helps your skin stay hydrated and smooth by mimicking what healthy skin naturally produces. On top of that, it contains vitamins and nutrients that support skin recovery.Â
It doesn’t protect you from the sun, but it can help your skin bounce back after too much time in it.
Let’s get into the details:
Aloe contains antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E, which help fight off free radicals (unstable molecules from things like pollution that can damage your skin).
It’s also rich in polysaccharides, which are natural sugars that help hydrate the skin by acting like the skin’s own moisturizing agents. These, along with other sugars like monosaccharides, help form a protective barrier that locks in moisture.
Aloe works as both a humectant and an emollient. That means it draws water into the skin (humectant) and helps trap it there (emollient), making it an effective natural moisturizer.
You’ll also find a mix of other skin-supporting ingredients in aloe, including folic acid, choline, calcium, amino acids, fatty acids, and even Vitamin B12.
Out of the 420+ species of aloe, Aloe barbadensis is the most widely used in skincare products thanks to its gentle yet effective properties.
There are over 420 species of aloe but Aloe Barbadensis is the most commonly used for topical products.
Learn more about Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractButylene 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 GlycolCi 14700 is a synthetic red dye.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidWe don't have a description for Citronellyl Acetate yet.
We don't have a description for Cyclamen Aldehyde yet.
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 EDTAEthyl Linalool is a fragrance.
We don't have a description for Ethylene Brassylate yet.
Gamma-Undecalactone is a fragrance.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinWe don't have a description for Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract yet.
We don't have a description for Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol yet.
We don't have a description for Methyldihydrojasmonate yet.
Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal is a fragrance.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
Another role of this ingredient is preventing a product from melting or freezing. Propylene glycol also adds antimicrobrial properties to a product, elongating product lifespan.
This ingredient is considered an organic alcohol and commonly added into both cosmetics and foods.
Those with sensitive skin or conditions may develop a rash when using this ingredient.
Learn more about Propylene GlycolSodium Benzoate is a preservative. It's used in both cosmetic and food products to inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria. It is typically produced synthetically.
Both the US FDA and EU Health Committee have approved the use of sodium benzoate. In the US, levels of 0.1% (of the total product) are allowed.
Sodium benzoate works as a preservative by inhibiting the growth of bacteria inside of cells. It prevents the cell from fermenting a type of sugar using an enzyme called phosphofructokinase.
It is the salt of benzoic acid. Foods containing sodium benzoate include soda, salad dressings, condiments, fruit juices, wines, and snack foods.
Studies for using ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate in cosmetics are lacking, especially in skincare routines with multiple steps.
We always recommend speaking with a professional, such as a dermatologist, if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Sodium BenzoateWater. 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 WaterIngredient Ratings
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