Anua vs Medik8
Anua and Medik8 are distinct skincare brands founded in 2009 and 2019, offering moisturizers, toners, serums, cleansers, and eye products built around key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, heartleaf, and niacinamide. The British brand specializes in formulas suited best for dry and dry sensitive skin, while the Korean brand excels in addressing dry and oily acne-prone skin with targeted options such as its soothing toners and blemish serums. Both utilize hyaluronic acid to lengthen wrinkle reduction effects, though the latter also employs niacinamide to decrease hyperpigmentation and increase skin lightness. Ultimately, they differ in their heritage and specific ingredient profiles, allowing users to select based on their unique dermal needs.
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
€15.89
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Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
€19.59
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Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
€18.70
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PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
€22.00
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Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
€13.02
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Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
€18.33
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PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM
€17.45
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Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad
€20.15
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
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€8.85
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Advanced Replenishing Toner
Morning
€34.00
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€78.95
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SPF
Purito Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen
Morning
€12.98
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
€10.97
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Serum or Treatment
Bakuchiol Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€50.76
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Nourishing Mask
Abib Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask
Once a week
€15.30
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Cleanser
Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€14.00
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Hydrating Toner
Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Morning
€18.33
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Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€35.90
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SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
€15.99
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Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€15.89
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Serum or Treatment
Green Lemon Vita C Blemish Serum
Evening · Once a week
€41.50
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Nourishing Mask
Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
€3.00
Anua vs Medik8 routines for oily skin
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Cleanser
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€20.50
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€78.95
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SPF
d'Alba UVessence Mild Waterfull Sun Cream SPF 50
Morning
€16.99
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
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Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
€33.50
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Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€76.50
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
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Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
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Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.02
-
Hydrating Toner
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Once a week
€16.85
-
Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€35.90
-
SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
€15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€15.89
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
€20.49
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
€18.70
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Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
€16.79
Anua vs Medik8 routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€39.80
-
Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
€36.00
-
Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€78.95
-
Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€97.52
-
Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
€33.50
-
Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
€76.50
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
€48.55
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
-
Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€13.02
-
Hydrating Toner
Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
Morning · Once a week
€18.33
-
Moisturizer
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Evening · Once a week
€16.85
-
SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
€15.99
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
€15.89
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
€20.49
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
€18.70
-
Cleansing Mask
Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay
Once a week
€28.50
Questions and answers
Anua or Medik8: which is better?
Medik8 is better for dry, combination, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, offering a Superior routine fit compared to Anua's High fit for those skin types. Anua provides better value as it scores higher for price and value, while every product on its page lists no fragrance.
What is the difference between Anua and Medik8?
Medik8 offers superior gentle formulations and a better routine fit for dry, combination, sensitive, and dry sensitive skin, while Anua provides better value regarding price and value. Both brands feature products that help hydrate the skin and improve skin texture.
Anua or Medik8 for dry skin?
For dry skin, Medik8 has a Superior routine fit, while Anua has a High routine fit on this page. Medik8 offers deep hydration and plumping, whereas Anua products on this page help with soothing and barrier support in moisturizers.
Anua or Medik8: which cleanser is better?
Medik8 delivers a Superior routine fit for dry sensitive and combination skin types with its Surface Radiance Cleanse, whereas Anua products on this page offer High fit levels for similar categories. Both brands feature gentle cleansers, but Medik8 scores higher in specific skin type routines.
Which is more affordable, Anua or Medik8?
Anua is more affordable than Medik8, as reviewers often note Medik8 has a high price point while Anua does better for price and value.
How do Anua and Medik8 compare in terms of fragrance use across their products?
Anua lists no fragrance in any of the products on this page. Medik8 also keeps fragrance out of almost all its items, with only one product containing it.
Which brand performs better for brightening and glow according to review themes?
Both Anua and Medik8 perform equally well for brightening and glow according to review themes.
What are the founding years and corporate owners of Anua and Medik8?
Anua was founded in 2019 in South Korea and is owned by The Founders Inc., while Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe since 2025.
Anua or Medik8 for oily skin?
For oily skin, both Anua and Medik8 are great choices with High routine fit levels on the products on this page. Anua helps with lightweight toners and brightening serums, while Medik8 offers deep hydration and gentle formulations.
Anua or Medik8 for sensitive skin?
For sensitive skin, both brands offer good options, though Medik8 has a Superior routine fit compared to Anua's High fit. Medik8 is noted by reviewers for a more gentle and non-irritating formulation across its products.
Anua or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?
Both Anua and Medik8 are great options for acne-prone skin, as the products on this page for both brands fit this skin type at a High level. Reviewers mention that Anua helps with brightening serums and improves skin texture, while Medik8 provides gentle and non-irritating serums along with deep hydration and plumping.
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
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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