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Product photo: anua.us (official brand store). The pack size shown may differ from the Korean 350ml.
Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
A watery, fragrance-free toner built on 77% heartleaf extract, bought mainly by people with redness-prone or easily irritated skin who want a calm, simple first layer.
- Key ingredient
- Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) extract, 77%, Glycerin and betaine
- Texture
- Clear, almost water-thin, absorbs in seconds with no stickiness
- Routine step
- toner · AM & PM
- Korean pack
- 350ml
Overview
Korea vs international: Korea sells a 350ml bottle; the US and UK mostly get 250ml, so we compare per ml.
Key ingredients
- Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) extract, 77% Plant extract traditionally used in Korea for calming skin; it is the main ingredient, ahead of water
- Glycerin and betaine Humectants that draw water into the top layer of skin
- Panthenol Pro-vitamin B5, helps skin hold moisture and feel less tight
From the US, it's 45% cheaper in Seoul after tax and refund. From the UK, it's 49% cheaper in Seoul.
What it is
Anua’s Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is the product that made Anua an international name. It is a simple, clear toner whose first ingredient is heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) extract, at 77% of the formula. You pat it on after cleansing to add a light layer of hydration before serum and moisturiser.
It does not exfoliate, brighten or treat acne directly. Its job is to make skin feel calmer and less tight, and to give the next steps a damp surface to spread over.
Why it is so popular
Three things explain the following it has: it is gentle enough for reactive skin, it has a short ingredient list with no fragrance, and it works under almost anything. It became a social-media staple around 2023 and has stayed one of Olive Young’s best-selling toners. On Amazon US it has well over ten thousand ratings, which is unusual for a toner.
Key ingredients in plain English
Heartleaf is a plant used in traditional Korean and Chinese remedies. In skincare it is used as a soothing extract; the evidence for it is mostly lab and small-study level, so think of it as comforting rather than medicinal. The rest of the formula is a standard, well-tolerated base of glycerin, betaine and panthenol, plus small amounts of other plant extracts.
Who it suits, and who should skip it
It suits sensitive, oily, combination and acne-prone skin especially well, because it hydrates without leaving any film. People with very dry skin often find it too light on its own and either layer it two or three times or pair it with a richer toner such as Laneige Cream Skin.
Skip it if you want visible exfoliation or brightening from your toner; a product like COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner does that job instead.
Texture and how to use it
It is as thin as water. Pour a few drops into your palms and press into the skin, or soak a cotton pad and swipe. Many people use the 350ml bottle as a “7-skin” layer, patting in several thin coats on dry days. Use morning and night, before serum and moisturiser.
How it compares
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner is similarly gentle but slightly more slippery and contains a mild enzyme. Torriden DIVE-IN Toner is a hyaluronic-acid toner that feels a touch more hydrating. Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner is thicker and has an even shorter ingredient list. If you are choosing purely on calming, Anua is the most direct option.
Korea vs international version
The formula sold in Korea and abroad is the same as far as we can tell. The difference is size: Korea’s standard bottle is 350ml, while most US and UK listings are 250ml. That size difference is one reason the Seoul price looks so good per ml.
FAQ
Is Anua Heartleaf 77% toner fragrance-free?
Yes. The published ingredient list has no added fragrance or essential oils.
Does it exfoliate?
No. There are no acids in the formula. It is a hydrating, soothing toner, so it can be used twice a day alongside other actives.
Why is the Korean bottle bigger?
Olive Young Korea mainly stocks the 350ml bottle, while Amazon US and UK mostly sell 250ml. We compare per ml so the sizes are fair.
