Mary Kay Botanical Effects Refreshing Toner Versus Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Updated on May 22, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 5 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 or parabens
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
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 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
Mary Kay Botanical Effects Refreshing Toner 29 ingredients
Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 71 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 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.
Butylene 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 GlycolCitric 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 AcidDisodium 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 EDTAPanthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.
There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.
D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.
Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):
Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.
This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.
Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.
This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.
Learn more about PanthenolWater. 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
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 71 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
