Anua vs Medik8
Anua and Medik8 are distinct skincare lines, with the South Korean label founded in 2019 specializing in heartleaf, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, while the British label founded in 2009 centers its formulas on hyaluronic acid. The former brand suits oily acne-prone skin and dry skin best, whereas the latter brand fits dry skin and dry sensitive skin best. Both brands differ in their specific ingredient benefits, as the first brand's niacinamide decreases hyperpigmentation and increases skin lightness, and both brands utilize hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction or toxin wrinkle effect duration.
Anua is a Korean skincare brand founded in 2019 and owned by The Founders Inc..
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Medik8 is a British skincare brand founded in 2009 and owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.
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This page compares some of the most popular Anua and Medik8 products; for every product of both brands, with a fit score for your own skin, use the Lovi app.
Popular Anua vs Medik8 products
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Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
$17.00
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Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
$19.69
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Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
$21.85
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PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
$27.37
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Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
$13.00
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Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
$21.00
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PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM
$20.00
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Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad
$21.88
People Say
Texture and Lightweight Feel Mostly MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “melts into skin — Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream”
- “Feels like water, not heavy oil — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil”
- “absorbed effortlessly — Medik8 Total Moisture Daily Facial Cream”
- “smoother skin — Medik8 Surface Radiance Cleanse”
Gentle and Non-Irritating Formulation Often MentionedMostly Mentioned
- “zero irritation or peeling — Medik8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3”
- “only Vitamin C my sensitive skin can tolerate — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
- “Best retinol replacement — Medik8 Bakuchiol Peptides”
- “calmed my red spots — Anua Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad”
Hydration and Moisture Mostly MentionedOften Mentioned
- “complexion feels so plump — Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum”
- “leaves skin plump — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
- “Restores moisture — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
- “Instantly quenched the skin — Medik8 Hydr8 B5 Intense”
Brightening and Glow Often MentionedOften Mentioned
- “Significant reduction in hyperpigmentation from acne scarring. — Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum”
- “glass-like glow — Anua Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner”
- “I wake up glowing. It adds back that youthful bloom that I've lost. — Medik8 Sleep Glycolic”
- “unlocked a serious glow — Medik8 C-Tetra Serum”
Price and Value Rarely NotedOften 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”
- “Expensive per bottle — Medik8 Liquid Peptides”
Anua vs Medik8 routines for dry skin
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Cleanser
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$19.99
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Hydrating Toner
Pyunkang Yul Calming Deep Moisture Toner
Morning
$16.99
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$72.00
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SPF
d'Alba Piedmont Waterfull Mild Sunscreen
Morning
$15.99
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
$21.70
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Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
$67.00
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
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Cleanser
Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.00
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Hydrating Toner
Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Morning
$21.00
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Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$25.00
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SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
$26.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$17.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
$21.85
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
$22.00
Buy Medik8 routine · $235.67 · 96% fit
Buy Anua routine · $147.85 · 85% fitSee multi-brand routine · 99% fit
Anua vs Medik8 routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.97
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Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
$15.60
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$72.00
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SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
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Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
$35.00
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Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
$67.00
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
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Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
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Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$13.00
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Hydrating Toner
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Once a week
$15.90
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Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$25.00
-
SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
$26.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$17.00
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
$18.00
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Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
$21.85
-
Cleansing Mask
Revision Skincare Black Mask
Once a week
$79.00
Buy Medik8 routine · $418.54 · 90% fit
Buy Anua routine · $215.75 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 98% fit
Anua vs Medik8 routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$28.08
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
$25.60
-
Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$72.00
-
SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
$14.97
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$50.00
-
Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
$35.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
$67.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
$69.00
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
-
Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$13.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Morning · Once a week
$21.00
-
Moisturizer
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Evening · Once a week
$15.90
-
SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
$26.00
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
$17.00
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
$18.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
$21.85
-
Cleansing Mask
HERBIVORE Botanicals Blue Tansy BHA and Enzyme Pore Refining Mask
Once a week
$58.00
Buy Medik8 routine · $419.65 · 93% fit
Buy Anua routine · $190.75 · 83% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Questions and answers
Anua or Medik8: which is better?
Medik8 is better for gentle, non-irritating formulations and superior routine fits across most skin types, while Anua is better for price and value. The products on this page for both brands generally provide effective hydration and brightening benefits.
What is the difference between Anua and Medik8?
Anua and Medik8 both offer great skincare options, but Anua stands out for its better price and value, while Medik8 excels with more gentle and non-irritating formulations across the products on this page.
Anua or Medik8 for dry skin?
Both brands fit dry skin well, but Medik8 achieves a Superior routine fit compared to Anua's High fit on this page. Medik8 is noted for providing deep hydration and plumping, while the products on this page for Anua also feature soothing ingredients like heartleaf and hyaluronic acid to support dry skin.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Drug Delivery, 2017
Anua or Medik8: which cleanser is better?
Medik8 stands out for gentle and non-irritating formulations across the products on this page, whereas Anua scores better on price and value.
Which is more affordable, Anua or Medik8?
Anua is more affordable than Medik8, as price and value is an area where Anua does better.
Anua or Medik8: which brand offers better options for dry sensitive skin?
Both brands fit dry sensitive skin well, but Medik8 offers Superior routine fit while Anua offers High fit. The products on this page from Medik8 also tend to be more gentle and non-irritating.
How do the founding years and corporate ownership of Anua and Medik8 compare?
Anua was founded in South Korea in 2019 and is owned by The Founders Inc., whereas Medik8 was founded in the United Kingdom in 2009 and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.
Which brand has more fragrance-free products, Anua or Medik8?
Anua has more fragrance-free products, as every product on the Anua page lists no fragrance in its ingredients, whereas 11 of the 12 products on the Medik8 page are fragrance-free.
Anua or Medik8 for sensitive skin?
Both Anua and Medik8 offer products on this page that fit sensitive skin well, with Anua achieving a High fit and Medik8 reaching a Superior fit. Reviewers note that Medik8 does better with gentle and non-irritating formulations.
Anua or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?
Both brands offer products for acne-prone skin, with Anua achieving a High routine fit level and Medik8 reaching a Superior routine fit level on this page. Reviewers report that Anua helps brighten skin and improve texture with its serums, while Medik8 is noted for gentle, non-irritating formulations and deep hydration.
Research behind their key ingredients
Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on Skin Health: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical anti-inflammatory effects of isorhamnetin glycosides isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica
Apigenin inhibits UVA-induced cytotoxicity in vitro and prevents signs of skin aging in vivo
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin
Effects of glyceryl glucoside on AQP3 expression, barrier function and hydration of human skin
A comparative study of gluconolactone versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne
Evaluation of moisturizing and irritation potential of sacha inchi oil
Moisturizing Effects of Diglycerol Combined with Glycerol on Human Stratum Corneum
The anti wrinkle efficacy of synthetic hexapeptide (Argireline) in Chinese Subjects
Nanocomplex of quaternized cyclodextrin grafted chitosan and hyaluronic acid for a skin delivery
Histometric assessment of the age-related skin response to 2-hydroxy-5-octanoyl benzoic acid
Emulgels powered by coco-glucoside: A stable and effective synbiotics delivery system for skin care
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-

Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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