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Anua vs Elemis

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes · How the Fit score works

Anua and Elemis are two distinctive skincare brands offering curated formulations for various complexion needs. The Korean brand, founded in 2019, focuses on moisturizers, toners, serums, and cleansers featuring hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, and niacinamide to suit oily acne-prone skin and dry skin best. Conversely, the British brand, established in 1989, is celebrated for nourishing serums, rich moisturizers, gentle cleansers, and refining toners that weave together glycerin and shea to benefit dry skin and mature skin. While both elevate hydration and target specific concerns like dark spots and aging, Anua leans on heartleaf and niacinamide, whereas Elemis relies on restorative botanicals.

Anua is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by The Founders Inc..

prnewswire.comkedglobal.comtracxn.comv.daum.net

Elemis is a British skincare brand founded in 1989 and owned by L'Occitane Group since 2019.

elemis.comau.elemis.comen.wikipedia.org

This page compares some of the most popular Anua and Elemis products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.

Popular Anua vs Elemis products

People Say

AnuaElemis
  • Texture and Absorption Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “melts into skin — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
    • “Feels like water, not heavy oil — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “Absorbs almost immediately, and my skin feels well hydrated all day. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
    • “whipped silk feel — Elemis Superfood Midnight Facial”
  • Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
    • “complexion feels so plump — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “leaves skin plump — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “The cream really hydrates and my face looks amazing. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Night Cream”
    • “Quenches thirsty skin... immediate improvement. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Brightening and Glow Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
    • “Significant reduction in hyperpigmentation from acne scarring. — Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum”
    • “glass-like glow — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
    • “Gives a nice healthy glow — Anua PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM”
    • “healthy glow — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
  • Gentle and Non-Irritating Formula Often MentionedSometimes Noted
    • “calmed my red spots — Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad”
    • “leaves my face soft, smooth, and fresh without dryness — Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder”
    • “didn't sensitize my skin — Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner”
    • “no stinging or redness — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
  • Skin Smoothing and Exfoliation Sometimes NotedOften Mentioned
    • “baby soft — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “skin feels baby soft — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “non-stripping formula — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash”
    • “gentle PHA exfoliation — Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad”
  • Makeup Compatibility and Removal Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “Melted my waterproof mascara — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “makeup applies so smoothly — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “melts waterproof mascara — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Sits nicely under make up... perfect base. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • High Price Point Rarely NotedMostly Mentioned
    • “price feels way too high — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
    • “small size, the price is expensive — Anua Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder”
    • “bottle too small — Anua NANO RETINOL™ 0.3% + NIACIN RENEWING SERUM”
    • “Complete waste of money for me. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”
  • Breakouts and Acne Often MentionedRarely Noted
    • “caused cystic acne — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “terrible spots — Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads”
    • “clogged my pores — Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel”
    • “Wrecked my skin barrier — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
  • Skin Irritation and Sensitivity Sometimes NotedSometimes Noted
    • “stinging sensation — Anua Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam”
    • “Made my vision blurry for an hour — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
    • “blurry vision — Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm”
    • “Developed milia and closed comedones. — Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream”

Anua vs Elemis routines for dry skin

Buy Elemis routine · $557.99 · 88% fitBuy Anua routine · $147.85 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit

Anua vs Elemis routines for oily skin

Buy Anua routine · $215.75 · 83% fitBuy Elemis routine · $535.50 · 77% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit

Anua vs Elemis routines for combination skin

Buy Anua routine · $190.75 · 83% fitBuy Elemis routine · $524.50 · 79% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit

Questions and answers

Anua or Elemis: which is better?

Anua is generally better for brightening and gentle, fragrance-free care, whereas Elemis excels in skin smoothing and offers luxurious textures at a higher price point. Both brands achieve equal routine fit levels across all major skin types on the products on this page.

What is the difference between Anua and Elemis?

Anua and Elemis differ mainly in their formulation focus and fragrance usage, as the products on this page by Anua feature no added fragrance across the range, whereas the majority of Elemis products contain fragrance. Additionally, reviewers note that Anua is better for brightening and gentle formulas, while Elemis is praised more for skin smoothing and exfoliation.

Anua or Elemis for oily skin?

Both Anua and Elemis have an overall routine fit level of High for oily skin based on the products on this page. Anua features key ingredients like niacinamide and heartleaf, while Elemis offers products such as the Balancing Lavender Toner which is rated High for oily skin.

Anua or Elemis: which cleanser is better?

Both Anua and Elemis offer a range of cleansers with varying results depending on the product on this page. Anua cleansers focus on ingredients like heartleaf and feature fragrance-free formulas, whereas Elemis cleansers include options like the Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Wash that emphasize skin smoothing and exfoliation.

Which is more affordable, Anua or Elemis?

Anua is more affordable than Elemis, as high price points are noted as a primary negative review theme for Elemis while Anua is highlighted for having a lower price point.

Which brand offers a better selection of fragrance-free products, Anua or Elemis?

Anua offers a better selection of fragrance-free products, as every product on this page lists no fragrance in its ingredients. In contrast, most products on the Elemis page contain added fragrance.

Anua or Elemis: which is better for brightening and glow?

Anua is better for brightening and glow because review themes on the products on this page show that Anua does better for brightening and glow. Niacinamide helps reduce cutaneous pigmentation and suppress melanosome transfer.

The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002

Anua or Elemis: which brand is better for skin smoothing and exfoliation?

Elemis is better for skin smoothing and exfoliation as it outperforms Anua in this review theme.

Anua or Elemis for sensitive skin?

Both brands have a High routine fit for sensitive skin on the products on this page. Anua may be a gentler option because every product on its page lists no fragrance, whereas most Elemis products contain fragrance and reviewers sometimes note skin irritation.

Anua or Elemis for acne-prone skin?

Both Anua and Elemis achieve an equal High routine fit level for acne-prone skin on the products on this page. Reviewers note that Anua is better for gentle, non-irritating formulas and brightening, while Elemis stands out for skin smoothing and exfoliation.

Research behind their key ingredients

Behind this comparison

Lovi compares products by their fit scores, calculated from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

How does it fit your skin?

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