Guides
Anua Heartleaf 77 Toner: who it suits and how to use it right
What is heartleaf, who is Anua's 77 toner for, and how do you use it with a cotton pad, with your hands or as a quick mask? A simple guide before you buy it.
4 November 20265 min read
Few Korean products have become as famous as Anua Heartleaf 77 Toner. You see it in every routine on TikTok, and it's recommended especially for sensitive and irritated skin. But fame alone isn't enough, so let's understand what's in it, who it really suits and how to get the best results from it.
What is heartleaf, anyway?
Heartleaf is a plant whose scientific name is Houttuynia cordata. Its leaves are shaped like a heart, which is where its name comes from. In Korea it has long been used in traditional care, and modern Korean brands put it in toners and creams because it's known for being gentle on skin and helping to calm it. The 77 in the toner's name means heartleaf extract makes up 77% of the formula, which is what keeps its texture light, almost like water, with no strong fragrance.
Who is it for?
This toner is designed for soothing and light hydration, not for exfoliating or fading dark spots. So it suits you best if:
- Your skin is sensitive or reddens quickly, especially after sun or after strong products.
- Your skin is oily or combination and you want hydration without a heavy feel.
- You use exfoliants or retinol and need a gentle step to balance your routine.
If your skin is very dry, the toner is still a nice step, but you'll need a hydrating serum and a richer cream after it, because on its own it isn't enough.
Three ways to use it
With a cotton pad: Soak a cotton pad and sweep it over your face after cleansing. This way gives you an extra-clean feeling, and it suits oily skin.
With your hands: Put a few drops in your palm and pat them lightly onto your face. You waste less product, and it suits sensitive skin because there's no rubbing at all.
As a quick mask: Soak a thin cotton pad in the toner and lay it on red or irritated areas for five minutes. Or use the ready-made Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad: it's soaked with the same idea and easier to travel with.
A Korean toner isn't a second cleansing step. It's the first layer of hydration, and everything after it works better.
Where it goes in your routine
Morning: a gentle cleanser, then the toner, then a serum if you use one, then moisturizer, and sunscreen last.
Night: a double cleanse, then the toner, then your serum or whichever concentrated product you use, then moisturizer.
And if your skin is thirsty from the air conditioning, try the layering method: apply the toner two or three times in thin layers, and let each layer sink in before the next.
Common questions
Does it cause breakouts? Its formula is light and has no heavy oils, so it usually doesn't clog pores. But every skin reacts in its own way, so try it on a small area of your face for two days before using it all over.
Can I use it with retinol or acids? Yes, and that's one of the main reasons people love it: it calms your skin while it gets used to strong products.
Does it brighten skin? That's not its job. If your goal is a more even tone, look for niacinamide or vitamin C in your serum step.
Not sure if it suits your skin? Ask Mi, and she'll build your whole routine around your skin type.
Shop the heartleaf products
Share
More stories
Guides4 min read
Korean pimple patches: how they work and when to use them
Hydrocolloid patches protect a pimple, absorb what comes out of it and stop you from touching it. When they help, when they don't, and the difference between the types.
Guides5 min read
How can you tell your Korean product is genuine? 6 signs to check before using it
Fake Korean products are everywhere. Six signs you can check yourself: the Korean label, the batch number, the seal, the texture, the source and the price.
Guides6 min read
Korean sunscreen in the Saudi sun: how to choose it, and how to wear it
SPF, PA++++, two fingers, every two hours: what sunscreen labels really mean, how much to apply, and how to stay protected under a sun as strong as ours.