This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a commission should you choose to make a purchase through one of these links. This is at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclaimer here.
AD info | This post is not sponsored, however, I was sent these products by the brand. As always, this does not influence my thoughts or opinions.
I’m back! I’ve been trying to post every week but, between my job and going on holiday, I’ve not had a lot of time to dedicate to the blog recently. That said, the autumn/winter months are usually a bit quieter for me, so I’m fully ready to jump back into it with lots of new content!
This post is my mini Anua skincare review as one of the most popular Korean skincare brands at the moment.
The team at Anua very kindly reached out to me to try out a few of their bestsellers. I have spoken briefly about these products on Instagram, but I also felt like they warranted a full blog post. It’s very difficult to get all your thoughts down when you’ve got a caption limit!
I’ll be speaking about three products from Anua’s viral Heartleaf line: the Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, the Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream and the Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil. I’ll also be reviewing the Peach 70% Niacin Serum which at the time of writing this Anua skincare review doesn’t have as much hype as the other three… but I think it’s only a matter of time!
If I have the opportunity to try out any more Anua products, I’ll be sure to add them on to this post.
Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
Anua’s Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is TikTok’s current ‘it’ product. I’ve seen this ALL OVER my FYP and I’m not surprised so many people love it. This was the top-rated toner in the Olive Young 2022 Awards and its popularity keeps growing… even as we’re reaching the end of 2023.
With a light, watery texture, this toner absorbs into the skin almost instantly. It’s not at all sticky, greasy or stripping. And it’s the perfect product for layering. Seriously, this will sit well under any essence, moisturiser or sunscreen!
A quick breakdown of the ingredients list proves why this has garnered so many positive reviews. It’s free from alcohol, fragrance and essential oils, and contains a whole host of beneficial plant extracts. Of course, heartleaf is the star ingredient so it sits right at the top.
If you haven’t heard of heartleaf before, it’s a humectant with anti-inflammatory properties – this toner contains a whopping 77%!
We’ve also got another K-beauty favourite, Centella Asiatica, which has similar calming effects, as well as other skin-soothers like panthenol, chamomile and purslane extract.
I’ve seen a few people say that this toner is overrated and, to be honest, if you have normal skin with very few skin concerns (i.e. no redness, acne or irritation), you might feel like this toner doesn’t do a lot for you. But for those with extremely sensitive skin, this is a really great option – especially if you’re trying to avoid certain irritants like alcohol and fragrance.
This is one of those products that I can use no matter what state my skin is in and I know if won’t sting or break me out. If my skin barrier needs mending, this toner is one of the first products I reach for since I can count on it to help my skin recover.
What’s great about this toner is that it works for practically all skin types, though those with dry skin might need to apply a couple of layers to really lock in moisture. In terms of providing hydration, I think there are other toners out there that do a better job. But, with a good moisturiser, this is perfect for my combo skin.
Peach 70% Niacin Serum
Anua’s Peach 70% Niacin Serum isn’t part of the brand’s Heartleaf collection, though they do have a Heartleaf Ampoule if you want to stick within the Heartleaf line. This seems to be a stand-alone product (for the time being at least) – the only other niacin product I could find was the mask version of the serum!
I was super intrigued by the formula because I don’t actually own many skincare products that contain peach fruit extract. I wasn’t aware of its benefits until I did some research around this serum!
Peach extract is packed with vitamins that help to brighten, smooth and repair the skin. Niacinamide, the third ingredient on the list, has very similar skin benefits, as well as reducing redness and curbing oil production.
We’ve also got a bunch of anti-inflammatory plant extracts in here, like Centella Asiatica, turmeric root and neem flower, plus a few different forms of hyaluronic acid.
Usually I’m not a massive fan of serums, essences or toners that contain fragrance but this is very lightly scented so I can let it slide! I can’t really smell it once it’s on my face, only if I hold the bottle up to my nose!
The texture of this is slightly viscous (but not sticky) and, once applied, it gives the skin a really lovely glow. I can’t say I’ve noticed massive changes in my skin from using this, but it does leave it feeling plump and healthy. It also makes a really great makeup base!
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream SPF 50+
Korean sunscreens are well-known (and highly praised) for how lightweight they are… and the Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream is no exception. Its moisturising yet non-sticky formula makes it a really great choice for almost all skin types. I like this one because it doesn’t leave an overly shiny finish like a lot of chemical sunscreens tend to do!
This contains five UV filters: Uvinul T 150, Mexoryl SX, Uvinul A Plus, Polysilicone-15 and Tinosorb S. Sometimes Tinosorb S can make my eyes sting, but luckily this is the lowest filter on the ingredients list so I don’t experience that so much with this sunscreen.
Like the toner, this sunscreen is alcohol and fragrance-free so it’s perfect for sensitive skin – check out this post if you’re searching for more sunscreens that are free from these ingredients.
It contains 30% heartleaf extract, as well as other plant extracts like coffee, grape and green tea. These are all great for soothing and moisturising the skin. The inclusion of niacinamide also helps to reduce inflammation, minimise pores and improve skin tone.
Texture-wise, this is light and lotion-like. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a white cast. If your skin leans oily you could probably get away with using this in place of a moisturiser, but drier skin types will definitely need to apply moisturiser underneath.
If you’re already a fan of sunscreens like Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun and SKIN1004’s Hyalu-Cica Sun Serum, this definitely need to be next on your list to try. It’s the most matte of the three but not at all drying by any means!
And, if you’re wondering if this is suitable for acne-prone skin, it doesn’t contain any breakout-causing ingredients as far as I can tell!
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Anua’s Heartleaf Cleansing Oil is almost eclipsing the toner in popularity – I’m seeing much more about it these days!
This cleanser is designed to remove makeup and impurities, while also reducing redness and irritation. It has a runny consistency which makes it really easy to massage into the skin, and a slight rosemary scent that kind of reminds me of focaccia… in a good way!
When I initially scanned the ingredients list, I didn’t register any ingredients that would be a huge issue for acne-prone skin. But, on second review, I realised that Ethylhexyl Palmitate is the first ingredient (not sure how I missed it!!).
Ethylhexyl Palmitate is rated 4 on the comedogenicity scale which means it has the potential to cause clogged pores. The comedogenicity scale isn’t 100% accurate – if a product has a high rating it’s not guaranteed to break you out – but it does give some indication of which skincare ingredients might be causing congestion. Lab Muffin Beauty Science provides a great breakdown in this video on comedogenicity ratings if you’re looking for more info.
Aside from Ethylhexyl Palmitate, this contains lots of nourishing plant oils (such as sunflower, olive, jojoba and grape), as well as plant extracts like turmeric and heartleaf which soothe and brighten the skin.
In terms of removing makeup, this does do a really great job. It’s easy to apply and it takes off waterproof mascara with minimal rubbing.
I’ve seen people say this also helps remove sebaceous filaments and blackheads. Honestly, this did nothing for me in that respect. I’m not sure whether I just haven’t been cleansing for long enough to see results, or whether the blackheads people are showing are actually just skin cells and sebum that have clumped together from rubbing (like you get with a peeling gel). I’d love to know if this has worked for you though – let me know in the comments!
Have you tried any of these products from the Anua Skincare Review? If not, which of these would you like to try?
Leave a Reply