Heartleaf or Deep-Sea Water? Choosing Between Anua 77 and Round Lab Dokdo Toner

Two famous toners, two different jobs

If you have looked at Korean toners at all, you have probably seen these two. Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner and Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner are both clear, watery, and unscented, and both go on right after cleansing. Because they look so alike in the bottle, people often assume they do the same thing.

They don't, quite. Anua built its toner around a plant, heartleaf, and around soothing and hydration. Round Lab built its toner around deep-sea water and describes it as a toner that gently exfoliates while it adds moisture. Knowing that difference makes the choice much easier.

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner ($23)

Heartleaf is the common name for Houttuynia cordata, a leafy plant used widely in Korean skincare. On Anua's label it is the first ingredient, listed as houttuynia cordata flower/leaf/stem water. The "77%" in the name refers to that heartleaf content, according to Anua.

After the heartleaf, the label lists:

  • Glycerin, betaine, and panthenol, three familiar humectants and skin-conditioning ingredients that help skin feel hydrated.
  • Centella asiatica extract, the same plant behind many Korean "cica" products.
  • Extracts of burdock root, purslane, chamomile, chaste tree, and Phellinus linteus (a mushroom).
  • Seven forms of hyaluronic acid, including sodium hyaluronate and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.

No fragrance appears on the ingredient list, and there are no exfoliating acids. Anua describes the toner as soothing and moisturizing, and it has a light, cooling feel when you pat it on. It is designed for use both morning and night.

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner ($19)

Round Lab's toner is named for Dokdo, a group of islets in Korea's East Sea, and the brand draws its deep-sea water from the waters off nearby Ulleungdo. Round Lab says the water is filtered to concentrate its naturally occurring minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, and zinc.

On the label you will find:

  • Sea water, the deep-sea water the product is known for.
  • Chondrus crispus (red algae) extract and sugarcane extract.
  • Protease, an enzyme. This is the ingredient behind Round Lab's description of the toner as a gentle exfoliating step.
  • Betaine, panthenol, and allantoin, which Round Lab includes for a soothing, comfortable feel.
  • Glycerin, for hydration.

The texture is thin and watery, and Round Lab labels it unscented. The brand's own directions are to soak a cotton pad and wipe gently along the skin, which suits its exfoliating role. Its ingredient list is also on the shorter side for a Korean toner.

So which one should you choose?

The easiest way to decide is to think about what you want your toner to do.

Choose Anua Heartleaf 77 if your main goal is a soothing, hydrating layer. It works well for skin that feels sensitive, tight, or a bit stressed after a long day, and for anyone who wants a toner they can pat on generously, even in several thin layers. It is also a natural pick if you already use exfoliating products elsewhere in your routine and don't want to add another.

Choose Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner if you want a toner that also smooths. The enzyme gives it a gentle refining role, so it suits skin that looks dull or feels rough, especially normal, combination, or oilier skin. Swiped on a cotton pad, it is a quick way to start a routine with a fresh, clean feel.

Use both if you like to layer. Many people swipe Round Lab on a cotton pad first, then pat on Anua to add a hydrating, soothing layer. If you do this, watch how your skin feels over the first week, and skip the Round Lab step on any day your skin feels sensitive.

How to use each toner

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

  1. Cleanse and gently pat your face dry.
  2. Pour a small amount into your palms or onto a cotton pad.
  3. Pat it over your face until it absorbs. Add a second thin layer if your skin still feels dry.
  4. Follow with serum and moisturizer. Use it morning and night.

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner

  1. Cleanse your face.
  2. Soak a cotton pad with the toner.
  3. Wipe gently outward along the skin, without scrubbing.
  4. Follow with serum and moisturizer. Once a day is a good place to start, and you can move to twice a day if your skin feels comfortable.

For either toner, wear sunscreen during the day as part of your usual routine, and patch test on a small area first if your skin tends to react to new products.

One step, done well

A toner isn't the most exciting part of a routine, but it is the step you use every single day, so it is worth picking the right one. Choose Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner for soothing hydration, Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner for gentle smoothing, or both for a layered routine. Every order ships from Naples, Florida.

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