Mary Kay Botanical Effects Refreshing Toner Versus Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Updated on July 28, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
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 common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates
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 Refreshing Toner 29 ingredients
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 34 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Refreshing Toner 29 ingredients
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 34 ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
PEG-8
HumectantPPG-5-Ceteth-20
EmulsifyingButylene Glycol
Humectant
Glycerin
Humectant
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
Skin Conditioning
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Methyldihydrojasmonate
MaskingIsobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol
MaskingTriethanolamine
BufferingDisodium EDTA
Ethyl Linalool
Masking
Ethylene Brassylate
MaskingCitronellyl Acetate
MaskingCyclamen Aldehyde
MaskingGamma-Undecalactone
Perfuming
Methyl Dimethylmethylenecyclohexane Carboxylate
MaskingMethylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Simethicone
Emollient
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Benzophenone-4
UV Absorber
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, Alcohol Denat., PEG-8, PPG-5-Ceteth-20, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hylocereus Undatus Fruit Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract, Allantoin, Panthenol, Methyldihydrojasmonate, Isobutyl Methyl Tetrahydropyranol, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethyl Linalool, Ethylene Brassylate, Citronellyl Acetate, Cyclamen Aldehyde, Gamma-Undecalactone, Methyl Dimethylmethylenecyclohexane Carboxylate, Methylenedioxyphenyl Methylpropanal, Phenoxyethanol, Simethicone, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Cyclopentasiloxane, Benzophenone-4, CI 14700
Water
Skin ConditioningDipropylene Glycol
Masking1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSalicylic Acid
Masking
C12-14 Pareth-12
EmulsifyingOctyldodeceth-16
EmulsifyingMelaleuca Cajaputi Extract
Tonic
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
Astringent
Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract
AstringentUlmus Davidiana Root Extract
Skin ConditioningPinus Palustris Leaf Extract
TonicPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantCentella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ficus Carica Fruit Extract
HumectantHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Sodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Potassium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningHyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate
Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol
HumectantSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodeceth-16, Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Salix Alba Bark 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, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Butylene Glycol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, 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:
- It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
- It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
- It helps improve product application.
- It has mild preservative properties.
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
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 EDTACitric 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 AcidIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Refreshing Toner 29 ingredients
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 34 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Refreshing Toner 29 ingredients
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 34 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
