Anua vs Medicube Toner: Which One Is Right for Your Skin?
Share
Quick answer: Pick Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner if your skin is sensitive, red, irritated or breaking out and you want something calming to use twice a day. Pick Medicube Zero Pore Pad if you have oily skin, clogged pores, blackheads or rough texture and want gentle exfoliation a few times a week. Many people use both, on different days.
These two are probably the most asked about toners in our DMs. Both are Korean, both went viral, and both sit in the same price range, so people assume they do the same job. They don't. One calms skin down. The other clears it out.
Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner
The main ingredient is heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) extract, which makes up 77% of the formula. Heartleaf is a plant used in Korean skincare for calming redness and supporting skin that's irritated or acne-prone.
What it feels like: watery, almost like a light essence. No strong smell. It sinks in fast and doesn't leave a film.
Good for:
- Sensitive and reactive skin
- Redness, including skin that gets red after shaving, waxing or the sun
- Mild breakouts
- Anyone using strong actives like retinol, who needs a gentle step that won't add irritation
Not ideal for: people who want visible exfoliation or fast results on texture. It's a soothing toner, not a treatment.
Medicube Zero Pore Pad
These are pre-soaked pads with two textured sides. The formula uses AHA (lactic acid) and BHA (salicylic acid), which exfoliate dead skin and clean inside pores.
What it feels like: a cool pad you swipe across your face. The embossed side gives a little physical buffing, the smooth side is for calming and absorbing.
Good for:
- Oily skin and visible pores
- Blackheads and whiteheads on the nose and chin
- Rough, bumpy texture
- Dull skin that looks flat
Not ideal for: very sensitive skin, a damaged barrier, or daily use alongside retinol. Acids plus retinoids on the same night can sting and peel.
Side by side
| Anua Heartleaf 77 Toner | Medicube Zero Pore Pad | |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Soothing and calming | Exfoliating and pore care |
| Key ingredients | Heartleaf extract 77% | Lactic acid (AHA), salicylic acid (BHA) |
| Format | Liquid toner | Pre-soaked pads |
| How often | Morning and night | 2 to 4 times a week to start |
| Best skin type | Sensitive, red, acne-prone | Oily, congested, textured |
| Use with retinol? | Yes | Not on the same night |
Which one for which skin type
- Oily skin with clogged pores: Medicube, 3 nights a week. Add Anua on the other nights if you get red.
- Sensitive or easily irritated skin: Anua. Skip pads until your skin feels stable.
- Combination skin: Anua all over, and a Medicube pad only on the T-zone a few times a week.
- Dry skin: Anua, followed by a richer moisturiser. Pads can be too much.
- Acne-prone skin: both can help. Start with Anua, introduce Medicube slowly, and stop if you see more irritation rather than fewer spots.
Can you use Anua and Medicube together?
Yes, just not in the same step on the same night if your skin is sensitive. A simple week looks like this:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday night: Medicube Zero Pore Pad, then moisturiser.
- Other nights and every morning: Anua Heartleaf toner, then serum and moisturiser.
- Every morning: sunscreen. Exfoliated skin burns and pigments more easily, especially in UAE sun.
How to tell the real ones from fakes
Anua and Medicube are two of the most copied K-beauty brands in the region. Check for Korean labelling, a clear batch code and expiry, a sealed cap or pouch, and a price that isn't suspiciously low. Our guide on spotting fake K-beauty goes into detail.
FAQ
Anua ya Medicube, kaunsa toner behtar hai?
Dono alag kaam karte hain. Sensitive ya red skin ke liye Anua Heartleaf. Oily skin, blackheads aur open pores ke liye Medicube Zero Pore Pad.
Is Anua toner good for oily skin?
Yes. It's light and doesn't add oil. It won't unclog pores the way an acid toner does, but it calms breakouts and redness.
Can I use Medicube Zero Pore Pad every day?
Some oily skin types can, after a few weeks of building up. Start at 2 to 3 times a week and watch for stinging, dryness or peeling.
Which toner is best for open pores?
A BHA-based toner or pad such as Medicube Zero Pore Pad. Salicylic acid cleans inside the pore, which makes pores look smaller over time.
Do I need a toner at all?
No, it's optional. But a targeted toner is an easy way to add soothing or exfoliating ingredients without a long routine.
Shop Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner, Medicube Zero Pore Pad, or browse the Anua, Medicube and toner collections.