Quick Answer

Both toners get pitched as “calming” K-beauty essentials, but they actually do different jobs:

• Buy Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner if you want pure calming, no exfoliation, fragrance-free, daily AM and PM use across any skin type.
• Buy SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner if you want calming plus gentle daily exfoliation (it contains gluconolactone, a PHA), better for oily-combo skin and texture refinement.

The two are not interchangeable. Anua is the safer first toner if you’ve never used K-beauty before; SKIN1004’s is the better choice if you’ve outgrown plain calming toners and want something that does more.

Side-by-Side Specs

How They Actually Differ

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is built around heartleaf extract, which is famous in Korean skincare for soothing visibly inflamed or reactive skin. The 77% is the marketing number — heartleaf extract makes up the vast majority of the formula by volume. The rest is hydrating supportive ingredients (sodium hyaluronate, panthenol) and a minimal preservative system.

There are no exfoliating acids in the Anua Heartleaf Toner. It does not exfoliate. It calms, hydrates lightly, and preps skin for whatever you layer on top. That’s the entire job.

SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner is also built around a hero centella extract, but with a critical addition: gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA). PHA is the gentlest exfoliating acid family — gentler than AHA (glycolic, lactic) and gentler than BHA (salicylic). It works at the skin’s surface to lift dead cells, reduce roughness, and gradually refine pore visibility. The “Toning Toner” name signals exfoliation; the centella signals calming.

This dual function is why the SKIN1004 toner doesn’t work for everyone. If your skin is currently reactive or barrier-damaged, even a gentle PHA can be too much. If your skin is oily, combination, or texture-prone, the gentle daily exfoliation is exactly what you’ve been missing.

Who Should Buy Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner

• You want a pure calming toner with no exfoliation.
• You have sensitive, reactive, or barrier-damaged skin.
• You’re a K-beauty beginner and want the safest first toner.
• You already have an exfoliating step elsewhere in your routine (BHA, AHA, retinol).
• You want the simplest possible answer to “what toner should I use?”

Where to buy: Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner.

Who Should Buy SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner

• You want calming and gentle exfoliation in one product.
• Your skin is oily, combination, or texture-prone.
• You’ve used calming toners before and feel like you need a step up.
• You don’t have a BHA or AHA elsewhere in your routine.
• You’re comfortable introducing gentle exfoliation and watching for sensitivity.

Where to buy: Browse SKIN1004 on Argana Beauty.

Routine Pairing

If you already use Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner, common pairings:

• After cleansing, before any serum.
• AM with Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum + sunscreen.
• PM with calming ampoule + moisturizer.

If you use SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner, common pairings:

• After cleansing, instead of a separate BHA/AHA step.
• AM with vitamin C + sunscreen (the PHA does not conflict with vitamin C).
• PM with niacinamide or hyaluronic acid serum + moisturizer.

The toners are not designed to be used together at the same step. If you want both, alternate days or use one AM and one PM — but for most shoppers, picking one is the right call.

UAE-Specific Notes

• Hard water and PHA. UAE tap water is mineral-rich. A PHA toner like SKIN1004’s helps reset skin’s surface pH after foaming cleansers used with hard water.
• AC dryness. Both toners add a hydration layer, but Anua’s is slightly more comfortable for very dry skin. SKIN1004’s exfoliation is meaningful but mild — won’t strip in AC air.
• Sunscreen pairing. Both work fine under any sunscreen. PHA does not increase sun sensitivity the way AHA does, but daily SPF50+ is non-negotiable either way.

FAQ

Can I use both toners at the same time?

Not at the same step — they serve different functions and double-toning isn’t necessary for most skin types. If you want both, alternate by day (Anua one day, SKIN1004 the next) or by routine (Anua AM, SKIN1004 PM). Watch for any signs of over-exfoliation.

Which is better for active acne?

For active inflamed breakouts, Anua Heartleaf is the safer pick — it calms without adding any active ingredient. For acne-prone but stable skin, SKIN1004’s PHA helps prevent new breakouts by keeping pores clear. If you’re using prescription acne treatments (tretinoin, adapalene, etc.), Anua is the safer pairing.

Which one is gentler for sensitive skin?

Anua Heartleaf 77% is gentler. The SKIN1004 Toning Toner’s PHA is mild but still active. For truly sensitive or reactive skin, Anua is the right call.

Can pregnant or breastfeeding shoppers use these?

Both toners are built around commonly tolerated ingredients (heartleaf, centella, hyaluronic acid, panthenol). The SKIN1004 contains a low-level PHA (gluconolactone), which is generally considered safer than AHA or BHA but still worth checking with your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check the full ingredient list and ask your doctor before introducing new skincare.

How long does each bottle last?

Both bottles are 210–250ml. At twice-daily use across the face, expect about 3 months per bottle. Use a cotton pad or apply directly with palms — palms waste less product.

Where to Start

If you’ve never tried either and want one for general daily use, start with Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner. It’s the universal pick, the most forgiving, and the right entry point for any skin type. If after a few weeks you feel like you need more from your toner step — better texture, gentle pore refinement, exfoliation without irritation — switch to or add SKIN1004’s Toning Toner.

Shop Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner | Browse SKIN1004 on Argana Beauty.

For more toner comparisons and best-of lists, see Best Korean Toners for Acne-Prone Skin and Best Korean Toners for Glowing Skin. For a deeper look at the SKIN1004 range, see the Complete Guide to SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Skincare.