Versus

Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner Versus Mediheal Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad

Exfoliator
Facial Treatment
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Overview

What they are

These products are both fungal acne (malassezia) safe and reef safe . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain BHA

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Masking, Solvent

Dipropylene Glycol is a synthetically created stabilizer and solvent. It is a part of the glycol class in the alcohol family.

Dipropylene Glycol helps dissolve and evenly distribute ingredients. It also helps decrease viscosity and thin out texture.

As a masking agent, Dipropylene Glycol can be used to cover the smell of other ingredients. However, it does not have a scent.

Studies show Dipropylene Glycol is considered safe to use in skincare.

Learn more about Dipropylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Emulsifying

Octyldodeceth-16 comes from the fatty-alcohol Octyldodecanol.

Emulsifers keep oils and water ingredients together to create a more even consistency.

Buffering, Masking

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salts of citric acid. In skincare, it is used to alter pH levels and acts as a preservative.

Its main functions are to maintain the pH of a product and neutralize metal ions.

The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome; normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5).

Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Learn more about Sodium Citrate
Buffering, Masking

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol

When to use

775 Routines
14% use in am
86% use in pm
40% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
376 Routines
25% use in am
75% use in pm
64% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner 34 ingredients

4.4 /5
from 16 ratings
Works Well (12) Light (9) Great Value (8)
Cheeks's avatar

Cheeks

5 months ago
Review

This is an amazing exfoliator! She is affordable, powerful, little to no scent, non drying and has the added bonus of practical packaging! I use this every 5 days as the only exfoliating product in my routine and she just wipes any closed comedones, sebaceous filaments, clogged pores etc right off. Though it mentions a fragrance there is little to no scent detected for me and I am sensitive to Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#no scent
raggedrobbin's avatar

raggedrobbin

11 months ago
Review

I've tried both Paula's Choice and Isntree's BHA toners and I find that for my sensitive but acne prone skin this Anua one is far superior. It doesn't have as much of a sticky feeling as the other two (but still some) and also didn't dehydrate or sensitise my skin as much, while still drastically improving my blackheads and acne bumps.

I believe this to be way more beginner-user and sensitive Show more

#great value
#light
#no scent
#works well

Mediheal Phyto-Enzyme Peeling Pad 20 ingredients

4.2 /5
from 6 ratings
Absorbs Well (5) Works Well (5) Light (4)
AshN.'s avatar

AshN.

10 months ago
Review

I actually didn't know toner pads were a popular k-beauty product until I came across this brand. I have to say these are worth the hype! I specifically got this formulation to treat more of the textured areas of my face (forehead/cheeks). I followed the usage instructions for intensive treatment (according to the brand site) which is leaving the pads on my face for 15 min and wiping off with the Show more

#great value
#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
448's avatar

💗

7 months ago
Review

Great toner pad!! It didn’t break me out or irritate my skin. After a few uses, I did notice smoother skin texture and my blackheads did disappear. However if you have deep or large closed comedones/whiteheads, this might not be enough. Nonetheless, it’s a great mild exfoliant that’s gentle enough for everyday use.

#great value
#light
#absorbs well
#light scent