Anua vs Round Lab vs Beauty of Joseon: Which Should You Put On After Cleansing?
The Journal · No. 02Comparison
Three of the most-searched Korean first-step products, compared for Canadian shoppers
Updated August 2026 · Ships from Canada · No customs fees
Three products come up again and again when people research Korean skincare: the Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, the Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner, and the Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water. They get recommended together constantly, which is exactly why so many people end up stuck choosing between them.
One clarification before the comparison, because most articles skip it. Two of these are toners and one is an essence. In practice they all occupy the same slot — the first hydrating layer you apply after cleansing — so comparing them is fair. But an essence is generally more concentrated and slightly richer than a toner, and that difference shows up in both the feel and the price.
They are not interchangeable. Each was built around a different priority — calming, hydrating, or nourishing — and the right answer depends on what your skin is actually dealing with right now.
The short answer:
Anua Heartleaf 77 — if your skin is reactive, congested, or looks red after cleansing.
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo — if your skin is dry or tight, or you want the safest first Korean toner. Also the cheapest per millilitre by a wide margin.
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water — if your barrier is comfortable and you want a richer, more nourishing layer for dull or mature-looking skin.
At a glanceSide-by-side comparison
| Anua Heartleaf 77 |
Round Lab 1025 Dokdo |
Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Toner | Toner | Essence |
| Best for | Reactive, oily or congested skin | Dry, tight, barrier-compromised skin | Dull or mature-looking skin |
| Hero ingredient | Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) extract, 77% — the first ingredient | Sea water, panthenol and allantoin — no single high-percentage active | Panax ginseng root water — the first ingredient — plus niacinamide |
| Texture | Thin and watery, absorbs immediately | Lightly cushioned, not sticky | Richer and slightly slippy, sinks in slowly |
| Fragrance | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free | Fragrance-free, alcohol-free |
| Size | 250 ml | 200 ml | 150 ml |
| Price (CAD) | $29.99 | $17.99 | $24.99 |
| Per 100 ml | $12.00 | $9.00 | $16.66 |
Scroll the table sideways on mobile →
That last row is worth pausing on. The sticker prices look close, but the bottles are not the same size. Per millilitre, the Dokdo Toner costs roughly half what the Ginseng Essence Water does — and the Anua bottle, despite being the most expensive on the shelf, works out cheaper per use than the Beauty of Joseon.
One thing all three share: none contains added fragrance, essential oils, or alcohol. If you have been burned by a scented toner before, that narrows the decision to texture and purpose rather than tolerance.
01 · The calming oneAnua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
This toner is built around a single idea: a very high concentration of heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) extract, with little else competing with it. Heartleaf has a long history in Korean formulation as a calming botanical, and here it makes up the bulk of the formula rather than sitting near the bottom of the ingredient list.
The texture is genuinely watery — closer to water than to essence — so it layers well and leaves no film. That makes it workable for oily and combination skin, which is usually where soothing products fall down.
Who it suits
Skin that flushes easily, looks red after cleansing, or turns bumpy and congested. It is also a sensible base layer if you are using stronger actives elsewhere in your routine.
Who should skip it
If your skin is simply dry rather than reactive, this will not hydrate enough on its own — you would need something heavier straight after.
02 · The safe oneRound Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner
If the Anua toner is specialised, the Dokdo Toner is deliberately the opposite. The ingredient list is short and unfussy — a hydrating base with sea water, panthenol and allantoin, and a little red seaweed extract for slip. No single active dominates it, and that is the point: it is designed to be the layer that never causes a problem.
The texture is a little more cushioned than the Anua, so it feels more substantial on dry skin without turning sticky. It is also the one most people can use twice a day indefinitely without their skin objecting.
Who it suits
Dry or dehydrated skin, skin recovering from over-exfoliation, and anyone buying their first Korean toner who would rather not gamble.
Who should skip it
If you want a product to visibly do something — fade marks, clear congestion — this is not it. It supports; it does not treat.
03 · The nourishing oneBeauty of Joseon Ginseng Essence Water
Ginseng has been used in Korean skincare far longer than any current trend, and Beauty of Joseon builds its whole identity on that hanbang tradition rather than treating it as a marketing note. Ginseng root water leads this formula, and the result is noticeably richer than the other two — closer to a light essence than a watery toner.
That density is the trade-off. It gives a more nourished, cushioned finish that suits dry and mature-looking skin, but it is the one most likely to feel like too much if your skin already runs oily or if you layer several products afterwards. It is also the most expensive per millilitre of the three.
Who it suits
Skin that looks dull, flat, or thin, where the goal is nourishment rather than relief. It works particularly well as the last hydrating step before moisturiser, and in colder months when a plain toner stops feeling like enough.
Who should skip it
Actively irritated or compromised skin, and very oily skin in summer. Settle the barrier first with something simpler, then introduce a richer layer once your skin is calm.
Also worth consideringSKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
Centella and heartleaf get mentioned in the same breath, but they are different botanicals and people respond differently to them. Heartleaf is generally reached for when skin is congested and reactive; centella when it is sensitised and needs settling. The SKIN1004 toner sits close to the Anua in purpose, at $24.99 for 210 ml — so if a calming toner sounds right but centella suits your skin better, this is the one to weigh against it.
Shop the SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner — $24.99 →
DecidingSo which one should you buy?
Pick based on the problem you are actually trying to solve, not on which one is talked about most.
Choose Anua if your skin reacts — redness, stinging, congestion. Choose Round Lab if your skin is dry or tight, or you are new to Korean skincare. Choose Beauty of Joseon if your barrier is already comfortable and you want a richer, more nourishing layer.
If you genuinely cannot decide, start with the Dokdo Toner. It is the one least likely to be wrong, it costs the least per use, and it shows you how your skin behaves before you commit to something more targeted.
PracticalBuying Korean skincare in Canada
Most well-known Korean toners and essences are sold through American retailers, and that is where the real cost hides. Orders crossing the border can attract duties, taxes collected on delivery, and a customs brokerage fee — with delivery stretching to two or three weeks.
Everything in this comparison ships from within Canada, so the price you see is the price you pay, with nothing collected at the door. [[CONFIRM AND ADJUST: add current free-shipping threshold and typical delivery window.]]
QuestionsFrequently asked
What is the difference between a toner and an essence water?
Both go on straight after cleansing, so they compete for the same step. An essence is generally more concentrated and slightly richer, which is why it tends to cost more per millilitre. If your skin is comfortable and you want more from that first layer, an essence makes sense; if you want something light you can use twice a day without thinking about it, a toner does.
Can I use two of these together?
You can, though there is rarely a reason to. If you want to, apply the thinner one first and give it a moment to absorb. A more useful approach is to use one consistently for six to eight weeks so you can actually tell what it is doing.
How long does one bottle last?
Applied twice daily with hands rather than a cotton pad, a 200–250 ml bottle typically lasts three to four months, and a 150 ml bottle closer to two or three. Cotton pads use noticeably more product and shorten that considerably.
Do I pay customs or duties on these?
No. These ship from within Canada, so there are no import duties, brokerage fees, or charges collected on delivery.
What is the difference between heartleaf and centella?
Both are calming botanicals used widely in Korean formulation, but they are not the same plant and people respond differently to them. Heartleaf is more often chosen for congested, reactive skin; centella for skin that is sensitised and needs settling. If one has not worked for you, the other is worth trying.
Where does this step go in the routine?
Straight after cleansing, onto skin that is still slightly damp, and before serum and moisturiser. In the morning, sunscreen always goes last.
Prices and product information are current as of August 2026 and may change. Ingredient lists can vary between production batches — always check the packaging you receive. This article is general information, not medical advice; if you have a diagnosed skin condition, speak to a healthcare professional before changing your routine.