Anua Heartleaf 77 Toner vs Round Lab Dokdo Toner: Which One Is Right for Your Skin?

Written by the Theglowk team in Seoul. Prices as of November 2026.

If you have spent any time on K-beauty TikTok, you have seen these two bottles over and over: Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner and Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner. Both are gentle, both are bestsellers in Korea, and both cost less than a lunch in Seoul. So which one should you actually buy? Here is a straight comparison based on each brand's own ingredient lists and claims.

The short answer

• Choose Anua Heartleaf 77 if your skin gets red, warm, or reactive, or if you are oily and want a calming, cooling toner.
• Choose Round Lab Dokdo if your skin feels rough, dull, or dehydrated and you want very mild daily exfoliation plus hydration.
• Can't decide? Many people in Korea use both: Dokdo right after cleansing, then Anua as a calming layer.

Side-by-side comparison

	Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner	Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner
Main job	Soothing and calming	Hydration plus gentle exfoliation
Hero ingredients	77% Heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) water, a multi-type hyaluronic acid complex, panthenol, centella	Deep sea water from Korea's East Sea, red algae (Chondrus crispus), sugarcane extract, a protease enzyme, panthenol, allantoin, betaine
Exfoliating?	No exfoliating acids or enzymes in the ingredient list	Yes, very mild (enzyme-based, no strong acids)
Best for	Redness, sensitive or reactive skin, oily skin that overheats	Dull or rough texture, dehydrated skin, toner beginners
Brand notes	Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, low-irritation tested (per Anua)	Water-type texture with no sticky finish; for sensitive and all skin types (per Round Lab)
Price at Theglowk	$16.99 (250ml)	$25.99 (500ml + 100ml)

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner: the calming one

Heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata, called eoseongcho in Korean) is the star here, making up 77% of the formula. Anua pairs it with several forms of hyaluronic acid for lightweight hydration, plus panthenol and centella for extra comfort. There is no fragrance and no exfoliating acid, which is why so many people with reactive skin keep it as a daily staple.

In Anua's own testing, the brand reports a drop in skin temperature after one use and lower sebum after two weeks of use. Treat brand data as a guide rather than a promise, but it matches what most users describe: skin feels cooler, calmer, and less shiny.

Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner: the smoothing one

Round Lab built this toner around deep sea water drawn from Korea's East Sea near Ulleungdo and Dokdo, which is rich in minerals. The key difference from Anua is a protease enzyme, a very gentle exfoliant that helps loosen dead skin without the sting of strong acids. Red algae and sugarcane extracts add hydration, and panthenol, allantoin and betaine keep things soothing.

The result is a watery toner that leaves skin feeling smoother and more even over time. It is one of the most common "first toners" in Korean households, and our 500ml + 100ml set is great value if you go through toner quickly.

Which one for your skin type?

• Oily or acne-prone: Start with Anua for calming and oil control. Add Dokdo a few nights a week if your skin also feels bumpy.
• Dry or dehydrated: Dokdo first for hydration and smoothness. Follow with a moisturizer.
• Sensitive or redness-prone: Anua. If you want to try Dokdo, patch test first and use it every other day at the start.
• Combination: Either works. Many people use Dokdo in the evening and Anua in the morning.
• Dull or uneven texture: Dokdo.

How to use them together

1. Cleanse.
2. Apply Round Lab Dokdo Toner with a cotton pad or your hands (this is where the gentle exfoliation helps).
3. Pat in Anua Heartleaf 77 with your palms. Layer 2 to 3 times on dry days.
4. Follow with serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen in the morning.

If you already use strong acids or retinoids, keep Dokdo to a few evenings a week so you don't over-exfoliate.

Want more calming? Pair with

Or browse more: all Korean skincare at Theglowk.

FAQ

Is Anua Heartleaf toner exfoliating?
No. Its ingredient list has no exfoliating acids or enzymes. It is a soothing, hydrating toner.

Is Round Lab Dokdo Toner safe for sensitive skin?
Round Lab lists it as suitable for sensitive and all skin types, and its exfoliation is enzyme-based and mild. As with any new product, patch test first.

Which lasts longer?
Dokdo, by volume. Our set includes 600ml in total (500ml + 100ml), compared with 250ml for the standard Anua bottle.

Are these authentic Korean versions?
Yes. Every product at Theglowk is 100% authentic and ships from Seoul with tracking. If you ever receive a product that isn't genuine, we refund you in full immediately, shipping included. See our refund policy, or read how to spot fake Korean skincare.

Free shipping on orders over US$50. New here? Use code GLOWK20 for $20 off your first order.

Ingredient information is taken from Anua and Round Lab official product pages. This article is for general information and is not medical advice.