Last updated: October 13, 2026
- Anua Heartleaf vs Some By Mi at a glance
- Anua Heartleaf toner: what is inside
- Some By Mi lineup: which toner is which
- Round 1: Toners
- Round 2: Pads
- Round 3: Serums and treatments
- The wider Anua Heartleaf line
- Who should pick which
- Can you use both?
- How to use a toner step properly
- Value and buying tips
- FAQ
- The verdict
Anua Heartleaf vs Some By Mi comes down to gentle versus active. The Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is a fragrance-free, calming-feel toner built on 77 percent heartleaf extract, so it suits sensitive, redness-prone or beginner routines. The Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner is an exfoliating toner with three acid types and tea tree, so it suits oily, congested skin that already tolerates acids. If you can only pick one, pick Anua Heartleaf for daily comfort and Some By Mi for a weekly-to-daily clarifying step.
These two brands are often compared because both sell “calming” toners, serums and pads aimed at blemish-prone skin, but the formulas work differently. This comparison covers the toners, the pads, the Some By Mi Truecica and Yuja Niacin lines, ingredient differences, and who should pick which. It also lists the rest of the Anua Heartleaf line (cleansing oil, foam and duo). Updated October 2026.
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Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner, 8.45 fl.oz
Included for 'Anua Heartleaf vs Some By Mi: Which Wins' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.
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Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, Korean Skincare, 6.76 fl.oz
Included for 'Anua Heartleaf vs Some By Mi: Which Wins' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.
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Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam, 5.07 fl.oz
Included for 'Anua Heartleaf vs Some By Mi: Which Wins' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.
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ANUA Double Cleansing Duo for Facial Cleansing
Included for 'Anua Heartleaf vs Some By Mi: Which Wins' as a representative home product in this roundup; selection reflects the product set returned for this topic.
View on AmazonAnua Heartleaf vs Some By Mi at a glance
| Factor | Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner | Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 250 ml (8.45 fl oz) | 150 ml |
| First ingredient | Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) extract, 77 percent | Water, then butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, glycerin, niacinamide |
| Exfoliating acids | None in the toner (PHA gluconolactone appears in the Anua pad) | Salicylic acid (BHA), citric acid (AHA), lactobionic acid (PHA) |
| Key botanicals | Heartleaf, centella, chamomile, purslane | Tea tree leaf water (10,000 ppm claimed), witch hazel, papaya |
| Fragrance and essential oils | Fragrance-free list | Contains peppermint oil and raspberry ketone |
| Feel | Light, watery, calming | Thin liquid with a tingly, clarifying feel |
| Best for | Sensitive, reactive, beginner, daily hydration | Oily, congested, texture-prone, experienced with acids |
| Routine frequency | Twice daily | Start a few times a week, evening |
Anua Heartleaf toner: what is inside
The Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner lists Houttuynia cordata extract at 77 percent first, then water, 1,2-hexanediol, glycerin, betaine and panthenol, followed by a set of plant extracts including purslane, chamomile, burdock root and centella. Retailers describe it as mildly acidic, and the INCI list shows no fragrance, essential oils or exfoliating acids. That makes it a hydrating, comfort-focused step rather than an exfoliant. Ingredient lists can change between batches, so check the bottle.
Who it suits: sensitive-feeling skin, people starting a routine, and anyone who wants a low-risk toner to use morning and night. Trade-off: it will not exfoliate or noticeably change texture on its own, and heartleaf-type plant extracts can still bother people with plant allergies, so patch-test.
Some By Mi lineup: which toner is which
Some By Mi sells several toners with similar names, and they are not interchangeable.
| Some By Mi product | Core idea | Notable ingredients | Skin fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner | Exfoliating, clarifying | Salicylic acid about 100 ppm, citric acid about 500 ppm, lactobionic acid about 100 ppm, tea tree water, niacinamide | Oily, congested |
| Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner (135 ml) | Calming, snail-based | Snail secretion filtrate first, niacinamide, tea tree, centella, mugwort | Sensitive-feeling, dull |
| Yuja Niacin 30 Days Miracle Brightening Toner (150 ml) | Brightening-focused | Yuja (citron) extract about 90 percent, niacinamide about 5 percent | Uneven-looking tone |
| Miracle Truecica Clear Pad | Pad format of the acid concept | Willow bark water about 85 percent, betaine salicylate, citric and lactobionic acid | Oily, texture-prone |
Concentrations come from retailer and ingredient-database listings, not from regulatory filings, and the formula has changed across versions. Always compare the box in your hand with the product page.
Round 1: Toners
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
Spec line: 250 ml, 77 percent heartleaf extract, no fragrance, no exfoliating acids. Pick it if your skin feels easily irritated, you wear sunscreen daily and want one simple hydrating step. Skip it if you want an exfoliating step to address rough texture.
Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner
Spec line: 150 ml, salicylic, citric and lactobionic acids with tea tree water and niacinamide. Pick it if you are oily or congested, you have used acids before, and you want one product that exfoliates and hydrates lightly. Skip it if your skin is sensitive, you react to peppermint or witch hazel, or you are pregnant (ask your doctor before using salicylic acid). Use in the evening and always wear sunscreen the next day, because acid exfoliants can increase sun sensitivity.
Round 1 verdict: Anua for gentle daily use, Some By Mi for clarifying use. They are not direct substitutes.
Round 2: Pads
Anua Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad (70 pads) pairs 77 percent heartleaf extract with gluconolactone, a PHA, and uses a dual-sided pad: an embossed side for light exfoliation and a smooth side for calming. It is fragrance-free. Some By Mi’s pad is the Miracle Truecica Clear Pad, which relies on willow bark water, betaine salicylate and acids, and also lists peppermint oil. For a first pad, the Anua one is the milder choice; the Some By Mi one is the more active choice. Use either no more than a few times a week at first.
Round 3: Serums and treatments
This is where the brands diverge most. Anua’s well-known serum in its beginner kit is a niacinamide, TXA and arbutin serum aimed at the look of uneven tone. Some By Mi’s equivalent is the Yuja Niacin line (toner and serum), based on yuja extract and niacinamide, and the Snail Truecica line aimed at a calming feel. Both brands use niacinamide, so layering a niacinamide serum on top of either toner is a simple way to add tone support. If your skin is sensitive, add only one of these at a time.
The wider Anua Heartleaf line
If you like the heartleaf concept, Anua sells a matching cleansing range that makes a complete low-fragrance start.
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Spec line: 6.76 fl oz (200 ml) oil cleanser that dissolves sunscreen and sebum. Best for: the first step of an evening double cleanse. Trade-off: a very oily or fragrance-sensitive user should rinse thoroughly and patch-test.
Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Spec line: 5.07 fl oz (150 ml) foaming cleanser with heartleaf. Best for: oily and combination skin as the second cleansing step. Trade-off: foaming cleansers can feel drying on dry skin, so use it once a day if needed.
Anua Double Cleansing Duo
Spec line: bundle of the heartleaf cleansing oil and the foam. Best for: people who want both steps together. Trade-off: check bundle contents and sizes on the listing before buying.
Who should pick which
| You are… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New to Korean skincare | Anua Heartleaf toner | Fragrance-free, no acids, simple |
| Sensitive or easily flushed | Anua Heartleaf toner (patch-test first) | No acids or essential oils on the INCI list |
| Oily with visible texture | Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA, evenings, a few times a week | Includes BHA and AHA with tea tree water |
| Dry but dull | Anua toner, plus a separate gentle exfoliant occasionally | Hydration first |
| Uneven-looking tone | Some By Mi Yuja Niacin toner or Anua’s niacinamide serum | Niacinamide-based options |
| Using retinoids or other acids | Anua Heartleaf toner | Avoid stacking exfoliants |
| Pregnant or nursing | Ask your doctor before any acid product | Salicylic acid guidance varies |
Can you use both?
Yes, but not at the same time of day on the same night in the early weeks. A common pattern is the Some By Mi acid toner two or three evenings a week, and the Anua Heartleaf toner on all other mornings and evenings. Keep sunscreen daily, and stop the acid toner for a while if your skin stings, flakes or turns red. A dermatologist is the right person to ask about persistent breakouts or irritation.
How to use a toner step properly
- Cleanse and leave skin slightly damp.
- Pour a coin-sized amount into your palm or onto a cotton pad.
- Press into the skin; do not scrub.
- Wait about a minute, then apply your serum and moisturizer.
- For the acid toner, avoid the eye area and lips, and avoid layering it with other exfoliants the same night.
Value and buying tips
Anua’s toner comes in a larger 250 ml bottle, so it tends to cost less per ounce, while the Some By Mi liquids are smaller at 135 to 150 ml. Both are usually in the budget to mid tier. Buy from reputable sellers because popular K-beauty bottles are frequently counterfeited, and check the batch and packaging against the brand’s official images. Formulas and bottle designs change, so older reviews and listings may not match what ships today.
FAQ
Is Anua Heartleaf toner an exfoliating toner?
No, the Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner contains no exfoliating acids on its ingredient list, and it is meant for hydration and comfort.
Is Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA toner good for sensitive skin?
It is better for oily, acid-tolerant skin, and sensitive skin should patch-test or choose a gentler option because it contains acids, peppermint oil and witch hazel.
Which is better for oily skin?
The Some By Mi acid toner is the more clarifying option, while Anua Heartleaf is the gentler daily toner.
Can I use Anua and Some By Mi together?
Yes, alternating them on different nights is a common approach, but introduce one at a time and use sunscreen daily.
Which has more heartleaf?
Anua’s toner lists heartleaf extract at 77 percent as its first ingredient, while Some By Mi’s best-known toner is built on tea tree rather than heartleaf.
How often should I use the acid toner?
Start with two or three evenings a week and increase slowly only if your skin stays comfortable.
The verdict
Anua Heartleaf wins for gentle daily hydration, sensitive skin and beginners, and Some By Mi wins for oily, congested skin that wants a clarifying step. Neither “wins” for everyone, and the best setup for many people is Anua most days with a Some By Mi acid toner a few nights a week. Patch-test new products, wear sunscreen, and see a dermatologist for persistent skin concerns.
