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
£18.00
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Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner
£17.00
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Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
£19.79
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PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
£28.40
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Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
£13.00
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Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner
£19.00
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PEACH 70% NIACINAMIDE SERUM
£20.00
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Heartleaf 77% Clear Pad
£18.00
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
£8.29
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Hydrating Toner
Dear, Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner
Morning
£11.49
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£60.00
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SPF
Torriden DIVE-IN Mild Sunscreen
Morning
£22.00
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Pre-Cleanser
MISSHA Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream
Evening · Once a week
£13.58
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Serum or Treatment
Bakuchiol Peptides
Evening · Once a week
£55.00
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Nourishing Mask
MEDIHEAL Vita Essential Mask
Once a week
£17.00
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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
£19.00
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Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£29.40
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SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
£22.90
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Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£18.00
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Serum or Treatment
Green Lemon Vita C Blemish Serum
Evening · Once a week
£34.80
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Nourishing Mask
Heartleaf 77% Soothing Sheet Mask
Once a week
£21.00
Buy Medik8 routine · £187.36 · 97% fit
Buy Anua routine · £101.40 · 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
£8.29
-
Hydrating Toner
Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Toner
Morning · Once a week
£13.98
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£60.00
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SPF
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Morning
£11.29
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Pre-Cleanser
Shu Uemura Ultime8 Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£17.00
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Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
£29.00
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Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
£65.00
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Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
£61.99
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Cleanser
Heartleaf Quercetin Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£13.00
-
Hydrating Toner
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Once a week
£16.00
-
Moisturizer
Heartleaf 70% Intense Calming Cream
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£29.40
-
SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
£22.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£18.00
-
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
£19.79
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Cleansing Mask
Dr. Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask
Once a week
£61.99
Buy Medik8 routine · £285.55 · 89% fit
Buy Anua routine · £176.18 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 97% fit
Anua vs Medik8 routines for combination skin
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Cleanser
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£14.99
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Hydrating Toner
Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Pore-Reducing Toner
Morning · Once a week
£30.37
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Moisturizer
Hydr8 B5 Intense
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£60.00
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Pre-Cleanser
Pyunkang Yul Deep Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£23.92
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Cleansing Toner
Press & Glow
Evening
£29.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Oxy-R Peptides
Evening · Once a week
£65.00
-
Enzyme Powder
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
Once a week
£19.00
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
£19.00
-
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
£19.00
-
Moisturizer
Rice Enzyme Brightening Cleansing Powder
Morning · Evening · Once a week
£16.00
-
SPF
Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream
Morning
£22.90
-
Pre-Cleanser
Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
Evening · Once a week
£18.00
-
Cleansing Toner
BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner
Evening
£18.00
-
Serum or Treatment
Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
Evening · Once a week
£19.79
-
Cleansing Mask
VT Cosmetics Cica Purifying Mask
Once a week
£19.00
Buy Medik8 routine · £261.28 · 92% fit
Buy Anua routine · £122.79 · 82% fitSee multi-brand routine · 96% fit
Questions and answers
Anua or Medik8: which is better?
Medik8 is generally better for sensitive, dry sensitive, and mature skin with Superior routine fits and gentler formulations, whereas Anua is a better choice for price and value across the products on this page.
What is the difference between Anua and Medik8?
Medik8 stands out for its gentle formulation and superior routine fit for dry, sensitive, and mature skin, while Anua generally offers better price and value across the products on this page. Both brands feature hydrating and brightening benefits, but reviewers note that Medik8 tends to be more expensive.
Anua or Medik8 for dry skin?
Medik8 is the better choice for dry skin because its routines have a Superior fit level compared to Anua's High fit level, while both brands feature hydrating products like hyaluronic acid.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
Anua or Medik8: which cleanser is better?
Medik8 stands out for gentle and non-irritating formulations across review themes, while the products on this page for both brands feature specific cleansers suited for various skin needs.
Which is more affordable, Anua or Medik8?
Anua is more affordable than Medik8, as reviewers frequently note high price points as a drawback for Medik8 while pointing to better price and value for Anua.
Anua or Medik8 for anti-aging and mature skin?
Medik8 is the better choice for anti-aging and mature skin, as it achieves a Superior routine fit for mature skin while Anua only reaches High. Medik8 also features key anti-aging ingredients like vitamin A, which helps stimulate collagen accumulation in naturally aged human skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Anua or Medik8 for fading dark spots and brightening?
Both Anua and Medik8 work well for fading dark spots and brightening, as the products on this page for both brands feature high ratings for skin with dark spots. Anua is often noted for a lower price point and brightening serums, while Medik8 is also known for brightening and glow.
How do the country of origin and parent companies of Anua and Medik8 compare?
Anua was founded in 2019 in South Korea and is owned by The Founders Inc., whereas Medik8 was founded in 2009 in the United Kingdom and is owned by L'Oréal Groupe.
Anua or Medik8 for oily skin?
For oily skin, both Anua and Medik8 achieve a High routine fit on the products on this page. Anua is often noted for its lightweight and fast-absorbing toners, whereas Medik8 helps deliver deep hydration and plumping.
Anua or Medik8 for sensitive skin?
Both brands offer solid options for sensitive skin, but Medik8 achieves a Superior routine fit compared to Anua's High fit on this page. Reviewers note that Medik8 does better with gentle and non-irritating formulations.
Anua or Medik8 for acne-prone skin?
Both brands are a strong match for acne-prone skin, with Anua receiving a High Lovi fit level across multiple toners and cleansers, and Medik8 offering a Superior fit in products like Surface Radiance Cleanse. Reviewers often mention Anua's products for brightening and soothing, while Medik8 is frequently noted for providing gentle and non-irritating formulations.
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
-

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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