Mary Kay Botanical Effects Freshen Formula 2 (Normal Skin)

Mary Kay Botanical Effects Freshen Formula 2 (Normal Skin)
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity

Review

Does Mary Kay Botanical Effects Freshen Formula 2 (Normal Skin) work?

Based on the ingredient list analysis by CreamScan AI, these are the key benefits you can expect from using Mary Kay Botanical Effects Freshen Formula 2 (Normal Skin):

  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Lightweight moisturizer ideal for oily skin and a humectant boost for any skincare routine

According to CreamScan analysis, Mary Kay Botanical Effects Freshen Formula 2 (Normal Skin) is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Butylene Glycol (est. ≈6.0%), PEG-32 (est. ≈4.0%) and Glycerin (est. ≈3.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Butylene Glycol
Function:
Origin:
PEG-32
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Panthenol
Function:
Origin:
Allantoin
Function:
Origin:
Disodium EDTA
Function:
Origin:
Plumeria Alba Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Nymphaea Gigantea Flower Extract
Function:
Origin:
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Citrate
Function:
Origin:
Simethicone
Function:
Origin:
PEG/PPG-22/23 Dimethicone
Function:
Origin:
PPG-26
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Benzoate
Function:
Origin:
Methylparaben
Function:
Origin:
Diazolidinyl Urea
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
16.5
6
4
3
2
1.5
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 16.5 10
10.0
6
4
3
2
1.5
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
4
3
2
1.5
All humectants 16.5 10
10
All humectants
16.5
6
4
3
2
1.5
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
0.3
0.3
0.3
All antioxidants 0.9 3 No
All antioxidants
0.9
Nymphaea Gigantea Flower Extract
0.3
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
0.3
Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
2
1.5
All soothing 3.5 5 No
All soothing
3.5
2
1.5
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Butylene Glycol
Est. %6
Function
Origin
Butylene Glycol

A clear, colorless liquid humectant that draws moisture to the skin. The humectancy of butylene glycol, owed to its two hydroxyl groups, is quite considerable, although not as powerful as glycerin, which contains three hydroxyl groups.

PEG-32
Est. %4
Function
Origin
PEG-32A synthetic water-loving moisturizer that produces water gels.
Glycerin
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Panthenol
Est. %2
Function
Origin
PanthenolA popular soothing and moisturizing derivative of vitamin B5. Panthenol is particularly beneficial for dry, flaking, burned, or damaged skin. It is used to alleviate the symptoms of a rash, dermatitis, eczema, chapped lips, and sunburn.
Allantoin
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
AllantoinA fluffy, white powder that acts as a humectant due to its water-loving chemistry and as an exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin cells. It has also been shown to be very soothing to irritated and inflamed skin.
Disodium EDTA
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium EDTAA synthetic chelator that helps to maintain the look and smell of a product by 'locking up' troublesome metal ions.
Plumeria Alba Flower Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Plumeria Alba Flower Extract
Nymphaea Gigantea Flower Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Nymphaea Gigantea Flower Extract
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Silybum Marianum Fruit ExtractA powerful antioxidant derived from milk thistle seeds.
Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract
Sodium Citrate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium CitrateA salt of citric acid that has a salty and tart flavor and is used as a fragrance. It is mildly basic, meaning that its addition to a skincare product can adjust the pH upward.
Simethicone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
SimethiconeA synthetic foam reducing agent that imparts a dry, cushiony aesthetic.
PEG/PPG-22/23 Dimethicone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PEG/PPG-22/23 Dimethicone
PPG-26
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PPG-26
Sodium Benzoate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium BenzoateA preservative that usually works in combination with other preservatives. It has to be at low pH (<5.5) to be effective.
Methylparaben
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
MethylparabenA preservative that keeps a product unspoiled. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding parabens, although the concentrations found in cosmetic formulations are generally considered to be safe.
Diazolidinyl Urea
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Diazolidinyl UreaA synthetic preservative that is effective against most common bacteria. It is not considered broad-spectrum because it does not act against any type of yeast or mold. It is therefore commonly paired with antifungal preservatives.