Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad
Gentle Exfoliation Gateway
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +PHA exfoliation gentle enough for sensitive skin without sacrificing effectiveness over time
- +77% heartleaf plus full centella complex creates a dual-soothing system for exfoliation anxiety
- +Dual-textured pads offer both physical and chemical exfoliation in one convenient step
- +Completely fragrance-free, oil-free, and silicone-free with a fungal acne safe formula
- +Included tweezers maintain hygiene when retrieving pads from the jar
- +No stinging or burning even on first use or compromised skin
- +Convenient format simplifies evening routines without skipping exfoliation
- −Exfoliation too gentle for users wanting visible, dramatic resurfacing results
- −70 pads may not last long enough for daily users at the price point
- −Pads are thinner than some premium competitors, carrying less essence per pad
- −Jar packaging is bulky and not travel-friendly
- −PHA concentration undisclosed, making it hard to compare potency with other exfoliants
The full review.
Toner pads seem unnecessary until you use them. Then you wonder why you spent years pressing toner-soaked cotton rounds against your face. The format is simple: pre-soaked pads in a jar. Grab one, swipe, and you are done. This convenience works well when a full multi-step routine feels difficult. Anua’s Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad is a major international success for this format, and the hype is earned.
The dual-textured design distinguishes this from a generic toner-soaked cotton round. One side has a subtle waffle pattern for gentle physical exfoliation. It lifts surface debris and dead skin cells without feeling like a dishcloth. The other side is smooth to pat the remaining essence into skin after the textured side works. This design makes application feel intentional rather than wasteful.
The formula contains 77% Houttuynia cordata extract—higher than the 70% in Anua’s moisturizers. This creates an anti-inflammatory base that helps skin relax while the active ingredient works. That active is gluconolactone, a polyhydroxy acid (PHA) and the gentlest chemical exfoliant. PHAs have larger molecular sizes than AHAs like glycolic acid, so they penetrate more gradually and cause less irritation. They also act as humectants to hydrate the skin during exfoliation. For sensitive skin types burned by glycolic or lactic acid, this is a safe introduction to chemical exfoliation.
The botanical lineup shows Anua’s formulation ambition. A full centella asiatica complex—including the extract and isolated actives madecassoside, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid—provides soothing and wound-healing. Green tea extract adds EGCG-driven antioxidant protection. The proprietary Anti-Sebum P complex, a blend of pine leaf, evening primrose, elm root, and kudzu root extracts, targets sebum production and pore refinement. Many botanicals are in a single pad.
The experience is gentle. There is no tingling, stinging, or burning, even on first use or sensitized skin. Swipe the textured side across the face, flip to the smooth side, and pat. Skin looks cleaner and feels smoother with a light dewy finish that layers well under other products. This exfoliation does not cause irritation.
Results accumulate over time. After three to five uses, skin texture feels smoother. After two to three weeks of consistent every-other-day use, pores look less congested, the skin surface looks more refined, and there is a subtle brightening effect. These changes are consistent but not dramatic enough for a before-and-after selfie. For skin that reacts poorly to a glycolic peel, this gentle resurfacing works well.
The limitations are predictable. This is not for aggressive exfoliation that causes visible flaking or an overnight glow. The gluconolactone works politely, and some skin types may find the effect too subtle. The 70-pad count lasts two to three months with every-other-day use. At $22, daily users will finish the jar quickly.
The pads are thinner than some competitors, so they carry slightly less essence per pad. They are still adequately soaked, but the material is not as plush as premium alternatives. Since the physical pad is part of the experience, pad quality matters.
The product works because exfoliation does not have to be aggressive to be effective. By putting a gentle PHA in a 77% heartleaf solution with centella asiatica and soothing botanicals, Anua created an exfoliant for consistent use by sensitive skin types. Consistency drives results more than potency. A gentle pad used four times a week outperforms a dramatic peel that you abandon because it leaves your face feeling like a sunburn.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list
Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Water, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Tromethamine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Betaine, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Madecassoside, Asiatic Acid, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Sodium Phytate
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Gluconolactone, the PHA exfoliant in this formula, is a studied, gentler alternative to traditional AHAs. A comparative study in Dermatologic Surgery shows PHAs provide exfoliation and anti-aging benefits similar to AHAs like glycolic acid but with less irritation. This makes them suitable for sensitive skin and rosacea patients. Gluconolactone's larger molecular size (molecular weight 178 g/mol vs. glycolic acid's 76 g/mol) causes slower, more even penetration, which reduces pH-dependent irritation.
The centella asiatica complex provides proven soothing support. Madecassoside and asiaticoside promote collagen synthesis and wound healing, while asiatic acid and madecassic acid show anti-inflammatory activity through multiple pathways. A review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences confirmed centella promotes skin barrier recovery and reduces inflammation.
Houttuynia cordata's anti-inflammatory flavonoids — quercetin, quercitrin, and hyperoside — add soothing via NF-kB pathway inhibition. Combining two botanical anti-inflammatory systems (heartleaf and centella) with a gentle exfoliant minimizes the inflammatory response typical of chemical exfoliation.
References
- Pharmacological Effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata): A Comprehensive Review — Journal of Ethnopharmacology / PMC (2022)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists often recommend PHAs to patients who want chemical exfoliation but find AHAs or BHAs irritating. Board-certified dermatologists note gluconolactone's humectant properties suit sensitive skin because it hydrates while it exfoliates. The combination with centella asiatica — a well-validated calming botanical in dermatological practice — adds clinical credibility to the soothing claims. Dermatologists advise using these pads on alternate evenings initially and always following with sunscreen the next morning, as any exfoliant increases photosensitivity.
Guidance
Where it fits in your routine.
Double cleanse in the evening, then use the included tweezers to take one pad. Swipe the textured (embossed) side over your entire face, but avoid the immediate eye area. Flip the pad and pat the remaining essence into your skin with the smooth side. Apply serum and moisturizer next. Use it every other evening at first, then move to nightly use as tolerated. Always apply sunscreen the next morning.
At $22 for 70 pads, each pad costs about $0.31 — a fair price for a toner pad with active ingredients. It sits in the affordable K-beauty toner pad market compared to premium competitors charging $30-40 for similar counts. The format adds value by replacing separate toner, cotton rounds, and exfoliant in one step. For every-other-day users, the jar lasts two to three months, keeping the monthly cost low.
This works for sensitive, oily, or combination skin seeking gentle chemical exfoliation. It also suits acne-prone skin needing pore-clearing without aggressive acids, and anyone who prefers the convenience of a pad-based format.
Users wanting visible, intense exfoliation results use AHA or BHA products for aggressive resurfacing. These products are also unnecessary for very dry skin lacking sebum control needs.
Product details.
Thin, soft cotton pads soak in a watery, non-sticky essence. One side has an embossed pattern for gentle physical exfoliation; the other side is smooth to pat in remaining product.
The heartleaf extract has a very faint herbal scent. There is no added fragrance. You barely notice it during application.
Round dark green plastic jar has a pop-open lid and includes tweezers for hygienic pad removal. The seal prevents the pads from drying out.
The pads glide smoothly without stinging or burning, even on first use. The textured side sweeps away surface debris without feeling abrasive. Skin looks cleaner and feels smoother immediately, with a slight dewy glow. Most users experience no purging, though those with clogged pores may see mild purging in the first week.
2-3 months with every-other-day use (one pad per session)
12 months
All Year
The backstory.
Toner pads are a Korean skincare staple that never quite crossed over to Western markets with the same enthusiasm — until brands like Anua made them accessible. This product became one of Anua's gateway products internationally, introducing non-Korean consumers to the convenience of pad-based exfoliation wrapped in the brand's signature heartleaf soothing.
About Anua
Emerging Brand (2–5 years)The Founders, a Korean brand incubator, founded Anua in 2019. The brand grew fast globally via viral K-beauty channels. Anua formulations focus on Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf), a traditional East Asian botanical with emerging clinical evidence, though independent validation of Anua's specific products is limited.
Common myths.
Toner pads are expensive cotton rounds soaked in regular toner.
These pads use a dual-textured construction: embossed sides exfoliate gently and smooth sides deliver essence. The pad material and saturation level work with the PHA formula, not just as a delivery vehicle.
PHA exfoliation is too weak to make a real difference.
Gluconolactone has a larger molecular size, so it penetrates more slowly than AHAs. It still dissolves intercellular bonds between dead skin cells. This gentler action allows consistent daily or alternate-day use. Cumulative results over weeks often match or exceed aggressive weekly peels.
FAQ.
How often should I use the Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad?
Apply every other evening after cleansing. Increase to nightly use once your skin adjusts over 1-2 weeks without irritation. The PHA exfoliant is gentle enough for frequent use, but watch for redness or sensitivity and reduce frequency if they develop.
Can I use the Anua Clear Pad with retinol?
Yes, but not on the same night. Alternate the clear pad and retinol on different evenings to avoid over-exfoliation. The PHA in these pads is gentle, but using it with retinol in one routine can compromise your barrier.
Are the Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pads good for acne?
Yes — gluconolactone (PHA) dissolves dead skin to prevent clogged pores, and the Anti-Sebum P complex regulates oil production. The 77% heartleaf extract calms acne-related inflammation. These pads work best for mild to moderate acne and prevent breakouts in breakout-prone skin.
What's the difference between the Anua Clear Pad and the Toner Pad?
The Clear Pad contains gluconolactone (PHA) for active exfoliation and targets pores, sebum, and texture. The Toner Pad focuses on hydration and soothing without the exfoliating acid. Choose the Clear Pad if you want resurfacing benefits; choose the Toner Pad for pure calming hydration.
Are the Anua Clear Pads fungal acne safe?
Yes — this formula lacks oils, fatty acids, and common fungal acne triggers. The water-based, fragrance-free formulation with heartleaf and PHA is safe for Malassezia-prone skin.
What the community says.
"Gentle enough for sensitive skin while still exfoliating effectively"
"Dual-textured pads are convenient and well-soaked"
"Noticeably smoother skin after a few uses"
"Soothes redness while clearing pores"
"Included tweezers make pad removal hygienic"
"70 pads don't last long if using one per day"
"Exfoliation is too mild for those wanting aggressive results"
"Packaging can be bulky for travel"
"Some find the pads too thin compared to competitors"
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