Klairs Supple Preparation vs Anua Heartleaf 77 Toner
These are the two fragrance-free Korean toners that keep landing in the same cart — but they’re built for different jobs. Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented is a hydration-first “prep” toner; Anua Heartleaf 77 is a soothing toner aimed at redness. Both are gentle, alcohol-free and beloved, so “which is better” really means “is your main concern dehydration or irritation?” Below: how they differ, who each suits, and why neither is a treatment.
Last verified: June 2026. Formulas change — we re-check periodically against the current INCI.
The short answer (TL;DR)
- Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented is a hydrating prep toner — hyaluronic acid + beta-glucan to flood skin with comfortable moisture and prep it for the rest of a routine. Suits all skin types.
- Anua Heartleaf 77 is a soothing toner — 77% heartleaf to calm redness and irritation, in a lighter, waterier texture. Best for oily, sensitive or breakout-prone skin.
- Buy Klairs if your priority is hydration and layering, or you want one reliable do-anything toner. Buy Anua if your skin runs red, reactive or congested and you want calm.
- Both are fragrance-free, alcohol-free and gentle — and neither is an exfoliating or “active” toner. They hydrate and soothe; they don’t treat acne or texture.
At a glance
| Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented | Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hydrating prep toner | Soothing toner |
| Hero ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, centella, panthenol | 77% heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata), HA, panthenol, centella |
| Texture | Slightly thick, hydrating (by design) | Watery, lightweight; absorbs fast |
| Main job | Hydration + prep (“skin flooding”) | Calming redness + light hydration |
| Fragrance | Fragrance-free (also essential-oil- and alcohol-free) | Fragrance-free |
| Best for | All skin types; dehydrated, layering-focused | Oily, sensitive, red or breakout-prone skin |
| Evidence strength | Strong (HA, beta-glucan, panthenol well-supported) | Heartleaf soothing data mostly in-vitro |
| Value | Mid-range per ml | Big bottle, low cost per ml |
What each one is
Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
The unscented, essential-oil-free version of Klairs’ famous prep toner. It’s a slightly thicker, hydration-forward formula built on hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan (humectants that hold water), plus centella and panthenol (soothing, barrier-supporting) and amino acids — all alcohol-free and pH-balanced. The job is “preparation”: soften and hydrate skin so everything after it absorbs and spreads better.
- Pros: genuinely hydrating; fragrance-, essential-oil- and alcohol-free; layers beautifully; widely tolerated even by acne-prone skin; a long-proven formula.
- Cons: not a treatment (no acids/actives); slightly thicker than a watery toner; not enough on its own for very dry skin (follow with a cream).
Anua Heartleaf 77 Soothing Toner
A lightweight, watery toner that leads with 77% Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) water — a Korean botanical rich in soothing polyphenols (quercetin and relatives) with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Around it sit hyaluronic acid, panthenol and centella, in a clean, fragrance-free line-up aimed squarely at reactive skin.
- Pros: calming and lightweight; fragrance-free; layers easily; big bottle, low cost per ml; a favourite of sensitive and acne-prone users.
- Cons: heartleaf’s soothing/anti-acne effects are mostly shown in-vitro; it’s a comfort step, not a treatment; easy to confuse with Anua’s other heartleaf toners (e.g. the “70 Intense Calming”).
How they differ where it matters
Hydration vs soothing. This is the real split. Klairs is the hydration specialist — beta-glucan plus layered hyaluronic acid make it the better “skin flooding” toner when your skin is tight or dehydrated. Anua is the calm specialist — heartleaf is there to take the edge off redness and irritation, with hydration as a lighter bonus.
Texture. Klairs is deliberately a touch viscous (it’s a prep layer); Anua is watery and fast-absorbing. If you dislike any slip, Anua feels lighter. If you want a toner you can pat in several layers for plumping hydration, Klairs is built for it.
Evidence honesty. Klairs’ actives — hyaluronic acid, beta-glucan, panthenol — are well-supported humectant and soothing ingredients. Heartleaf is genuinely promising and very well tolerated, but its calming and anti-allergic effects are largely preclinical (in-vitro), so treat Anua’s payoff as everyday comfort rather than a clinically proven anti-redness treatment.
Who skips which. Very dry skin will find either too light to replace a moisturizer. The most fragrance-reactive skin does well with both (both are fragrance-free). Anyone wanting an exfoliating or “active” toner should skip both — there are no acids in either.
Which should you buy?
- You want hydration and a reliable layering step → Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented.
- Your skin runs red, reactive or easily flushed → Anua Heartleaf 77.
- Oily or acne-prone and congested → Anua edges it (calming, watery, non-stripping); Klairs is fine too if dehydration is the issue.
- You only want one fragrance-free do-anything toner → Klairs is the more universal pick.
- Budget per ml → Anua’s larger bottle usually wins.
Can you use both?
Yes — they layer naturally. Apply the watery Anua Heartleaf 77 first to calm and lightly hydrate, then the slightly richer Klairs to seal in more moisture, before serums and a cream. Most people only need one toner, but if your skin wants extra hydration on a reactive day, this pairing gives you soothing and humectant moisture without anything stripping.
What people actually say
Both are community staples. Klairs is one of the most-recommended “gentle hydrating toner” buys in skincare — reviewers with oily, dehydrated and acne-prone skin repeatedly note it hydrates without breakouts or a heavy feel, though people expecting it to “do” something active are underwhelmed (it preps and hydrates). Anua’s Heartleaf 77 has a similarly warm consensus: calming, non-stripping, lightweight, with many sensitive and breakout-prone users crediting it for less visible redness over weeks of use — while acknowledging it’s a comfort step, not an acne cure. Our read: Klairs is the safer default if you want hydration; Anua is the better pick if soothing redness is the goal. (User reports, not guarantees — your skin may differ.)
What they won’t do / who should skip
- Neither treats acne, rosacea or texture. No AHAs, BHAs or benzoyl peroxide here — these are hydration and comfort steps. Use your actual actives separately. Persistent redness, rosacea or acne is worth a dermatologist’s input; this isn’t medical advice.
- Neither replaces a moisturizer. Very dry skin needs a cream on top of either.
- Heartleaf’s evidence is thin. Anua’s soothing claims are mostly in-vitro — genuinely promising, not clinically proven.
- Mind the Anua mix-up. Anua sells more than one heartleaf toner; check you’re buying the 77% Soothing Toner.
- Patch-test any new product, even gentle ones.
The verdict & where to buy
If your skin is dehydrated or you love to layer, get Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented — it’s the more universal, hydration-first pick. If your skin is red, reactive or breakout-prone, get Anua Heartleaf 77 for daily calm. Both are fragrance-free, gentle and inexpensive, so there’s no wrong answer — only a better-for-you one. Prices vary by retailer and region; the buttons below route you to the best option for your country.
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Best for Soothing Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
FAQ
Klairs or Anua toner — which is better? Neither is better overall; they solve different problems. Klairs Supple Preparation is a hydration-first prep toner for any skin type; Anua Heartleaf 77 is a soothing toner aimed at red, reactive or breakout-prone skin. Match the toner to your main concern.
What’s the difference between Klairs and Anua Heartleaf 77 toner? Klairs leads with hyaluronic acid and beta-glucan for layered hydration and is slightly thicker; Anua leads with 77% heartleaf for calming, in a watery, lightweight texture. Both are fragrance-free; Klairs prioritises hydration, Anua prioritises soothing.
Which toner is best for sensitive or redness-prone skin? Anua Heartleaf 77 has the edge for visibly red, easily-flushed skin thanks to its heartleaf polyphenols, though that soothing evidence is mostly in-vitro. Klairs is also gentle and fragrance-free, so very sensitive skin does well with either — pick Anua if redness is the main issue.
Which is better for oily or acne-prone skin? Both suit oily and acne-prone skin and neither is reported to clog pores. Anua’s watery, calming formula edges it for congested, irritated skin; Klairs hydrates without heaviness if dehydration is your concern. Neither treats acne — pair with your actual actives.
Can you use Klairs and Anua toner together? Yes. They layer well — apply the watery Anua Heartleaf 77 first to calm and hydrate, then the slightly richer Klairs to seal in more moisture, before serums and a cream. Most people only need one, but layering is fine if your skin wants extra hydration.
Sources: Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner — ingredient analysis (INCIDecoder) · Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner — ingredient analysis (INCIDecoder) · Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) — ingredient overview (INCIDecoder)
Related: Best Korean Toners for Sensitive Skin · Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner review · Anua Heartleaf 77 Toner review · The Fragrance-Free Korean Skincare Routine for Sensitive Skin