Which scores higher with the experts?
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner holds a Guru Score of 86%, ahead of The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution at 69%. The first draws on 15 independent expert reviews, the second on 27. On the experts' own numbers that puts Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner in Approved territory and Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution in Mixed.
What do the experts say about Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner?
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner carries a Guru Score of 86% from 15 independent experts. The heartleaf extract and its high concentration earn consistent praise for calming redness and reducing irritation, especially for sensitive and acne-prone skin, with a water-like texture that absorbs without heaviness and layers well under actives like retinoids. However, a notable split emerges: several gurus found the toner stung rather than soothed their irritated skin, and others noted it felt so watery it was difficult to apply without product loss, meaning those with genuinely reactive skin may want to patch-test first, and it works best for people with stable but sensitivity-prone complexions rather than actively inflamed barriers.
What do the experts say about Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution?
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution carries a Guru Score of 69% from 27 independent experts. This glycolic acid earns consistent praise for delivering visible smoothing and brightness at an affordable price, though experts split sharply on who should use it. Those with lighter skin tones and tolerance for chemical exfoliants often find it effective at one to three times weekly, and some gurus extend it to neck, chest, and body rough patches with good results. However, dermatologists caution that 7% is too strong for skin of color (5% or less is safer), and that pairing it with retinoids the same night risks irritation; those with sensitive skin, rosacea, or a compromised barrier may want to skip it or apply it very sparingly over moisturizer. Overuse can damage the skin barrier and trigger hyperpigmentation, so gentle application on a cotton pad, never scrubbing, is essential.
Which should you choose?
On the experts' scores Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner comes out ahead, 86% to 69%, a gap of 17 points. It has 15 experts behind it against 27 for The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution. Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is most often recommended for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Both are independently verified on the Guru Index, so either is a sound pick; let the use case and your budget settle it.