Versus

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner Versus Ilso Super Melting Sebum Softener - Original (Water)

Toner
Facial Treatment
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on December 11, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin and sensitive skin

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

About this product

About this product

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Super Melting Sebum Softener

Water

Skin Conditioning

1,2-Hexanediol

Skin Conditioning

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Ganoderma Lucidum Extract

Skin Protecting

Salix Alba Bark Extract

Astringent
Good for Oily Skin Icon

Codonopsis Lanceolata Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Arctium Lappa Root Extract

Skin Conditioning

Chrysanthemum Sinense Flower Extract

Cleansing

Butylene Glycol

Humectant
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyglyceryl-10 Oleate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Viscum Album Leaf Extract

Soothing

Hamamelis Virginiana Extract

Antiseborrhoeic
Can worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Hydrogenated Lecithin

Emulsifying

Polyglyceryl-10 Isostearate

Skin Conditioning
Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Lavandula Angustifolia Extract

Skin Conditioning
May cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Phytosterols

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin

Skin Conditioning

Illicium Verum Fruit Extract

Perfuming
Fragrance Icon

Sodium Gluconate

Skin Conditioning

Lavandula Angustifolia Oil

Masking
Fragrance IconOil IconMay cause irritation IconEU Allergen Icon

Panthenol

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract

Astringent

Carica Papaya Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Squalane

Emollient
1 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Glucose

Humectant

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract

Masking
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Centella Asiatica Extract

Cleansing
Helps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Prunus Mume Fruit Extract

Humectant

Malus Domestica Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Papain

Skin Conditioning
0 / 0

Houttuynia Cordata Extract

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconHelps reduce irritation Icon

Chamaecyparis Obtusa Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract

Skin Conditioning

Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Skin Conditioning

Cinnamomum Cassia Bark Extract

Masking
May worsen Eczema Icon

Lactobacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract

Skin Conditioning

Madecassoside

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconHelps with Anti-Aging Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Myrciaria Dubia Fruit Extract

Skin Conditioning

Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

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

Houttuynia Cordata Extract is more commonly known as Heart Leaf, Fish Mint, or Chameleon plant.

The components found in Heart Leaf give it antioxidant, hydrating, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Heart Leaf is rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, and more. It also contains polysaccharides, the most common type of carbs in food.

Flavonoids have been shown to be effective antioxidants. They help neutralize free-radical molecules. Free-radical molecules are unstable molecules that may damage our skin cells and DNA. The flavonoids in Heart Leaf also help soothe the skin.

Polysaccharides are naturally found in our skin. They play a role in hydrating and repairing the top layer of skin. The polysaccharides in Heart Leaf help moisturize our skin.

Studies show decanoyl acetaldehyde, a component of Heart Leaf oil, is effective at killing bacteria.

The name 'Fish Mint' comes from the herb's natural fishy smell. Is is native to southeast Asia and used throughout the continent for traditional cooking and medicine.

Learn more about Houttuynia Cordata Extract
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
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 
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Skin Conditioning

Panthenol is a common ingredient that helps hydrate and soothe the skin. It is found naturally in our skin and hair.

There are two forms of panthenol: D and L.

D-panthenol is also known as dexpanthenol. Most cosmetics use dexpanthenol or a mixture of D and L-panthenol.

Panthenol is famous due to its ability to go deeper into the skin's layers. Using this ingredient has numerous pros (and no cons):

Like hyaluronic acid, panthenol is a humectant. Humectants are able to bind and hold large amounts of water to keep skin hydrated.

This ingredient works well for wound healing. It works by increasing tissue in the wound and helps close open wounds.

Once oxidized, panthenol converts to pantothenic acid. Panthothenic acid is found in all living cells.

This ingredient is also referred to as pro-vitamin B5.

Learn more about Panthenol
Skin Conditioning

This extract comes from Purslane, a succulent. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hydrating properties.

Purslane is very nutritious. It contains omega-3 fatty acids, NMFs, many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The vitamins found in purslane include: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E.

Fun fact: Purslane is a succulent with an extensive habitat. It is used in traditional Korean medicine to treat irritated skin.

Nowadays, purslane is becoming a superfood due to its highly nutritious content.

Learn more about Portulaca Oleracea Extract
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

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

  • It is a solvent, meaning that it helps to dissolve other ingredients. This also enhances the absorption of the product into one's skin.
  • It is a humectant, which means that it helps attract moisture into the skin.
  • It helps improve product application.
  • It has mild preservative properties.

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

Masking, Skin Conditioning

Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract comes from the Chamomile flower.

Chamomile is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Several compounds found in chamomile help with soothing, such as bisbolol.

Antioxidant components in chamomile make it an effective ingredient to help slow the signs of aging. Antioxidants help fight free-radical molecules, or molecules that may damage your skin.

Essential oils from chamomile have been found to improve wound healing due to its antimicrobial properties.

Ancient Greeks and Egyptians used Chamomile to treat skin redness and dryness. Chamomile has also been used to help treat stomach issues.

Learn more about Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Skin Conditioning

Arctium Lappa Root Extract is from the burdock plant. It is an antioxidant and helps soothe skin. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.

In folk medicine, Arctium Lappa has been used to treat skin inflammation and digestion.

Skin Conditioning

Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract comes from grapes.

Grape extract has many skin benefits. It also contains many potent antioxidants such as Vitamin E , Vitamin C, proanthocyanidins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins. Antioxidants help protect skin. Proanthocyanidin have also been shown to help even out skin tone.

Grape extract also helps soothe and hydrate your skin.

Learn more about Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Cleansing, Skin Conditioning, Smoothing

Centella Asiatica Extract (Centella) is derived from an herb native to Southeast Asia. It is famous for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Centella is rich in antioxidants and amino acids, such as Madecassic Acid and Asiaticoside.

Studies show the compounds in centella help with:

The combination of all these properties makes centella effective at soothing, hydrating, and protecting the skin.

Other great components of centella include Vitamin A, vitamin C, several B vitamins, and Asiatic Acid.

Fun fact: Centella has been used as a medicine and in food for many centuries. As a medicine, it is used to treat burns, scratches, and wounds.

Learn more about Centella Asiatica Extract

When to use

12,048 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
57 Routines
26% use in am
74% use in pm
47% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner 21 ingredients

3.3 /5
from 197 ratings
Light (79) Absorbs Well (66) No Scent (60)
laila.21's avatar

Laila

1 year ago
Review

Did not live up with the hype I've seen all over TikTok.
I wanted to love it as I heard great things about it for acne prone skin, but it literally did nothing to me even when i used it for four months (2 bottles).
Once I stopped using it, my skin became better.

#drying
#no scent
#doesn't work
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

1 year ago
Review

Very good at targeting redness and irritations. Whenever my skin feels irritated, either from treatments or using products with Tretinoin and Hydroquinone, or is experiencing Rosacea flare-ups, applying one or more layers of this toner noticeably reduces redness - sometimes it even disappears completely, depending on the severity.

I usually am cautios with hyped products, they tend to set you Show more

#light
#absorbs well
#no scent
#works well

Ilso Super Melting Sebum Softener 43 ingredients

2.7 /5
from 4 ratings
Strong Scent (3) Doesn't Work (1) Expensive (1)
honimoli's avatar

honimoli

2 months ago
Review

I don't think it's the best for dryer skin. I have seen the results on people with oilier skin with lots of sebaceous filaments, and it seems to work for those, but I don't think it reaches deep enough for people with dryer skin. Still, I give it three stars because when I use it, even if it looks the same, my nose does feel noticeable softer than usual and the results last days, even though my Show more

#light
#strong scent
#doesn't work
joyce_'s avatar

joyce

2 months ago
Review

Removes so much sebum in 5 mins

#great value
#strong scent
#works well