Which scores higher with the experts?
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner and The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution are level on the experts' verdict, both landing on a Guru Score of 73%. Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner draws on 15 independent expert reviews, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution on 28, so the tie holds across a real review base rather than a thin one.
What do the experts say about Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner?
Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner carries a Guru Score of 73% from 15 independent experts. Feels like water, calms like a rescue toner. That's the pitch for redness-prone and sensitive skin, and most gurus say it delivers, with a light finish that absorbs fast and layers easily. The doubters found it stung even after their skin barrier healed, or that it was just a plain hydrating water. Its gentle exfoliating ingredients are also why some caution against daily use if your skin flushes easily.
What do the experts say about Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution?
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution carries a Guru Score of 73% from 28 independent experts. Glycolic acid at 7% is strong enough to visibly smooth texture and tackle keratin buildup, but experts split sharply on who should use it. Gurus praise its effectiveness for texture, keratosis pilaris, and body application, and many emphasize the importance of gentle application (just a light swipe, never scrubbing) and using it only a few times weekly, not daily. However, dermatologists treating darker skin tones and those prone to sensitivity caution that 7% is too high; they recommend 5% or lower and note that glycolic acid is not the best choice for pigmentation concerns. A few also flag that pairing it with retinoids the same night invites irritation, and one mentions the rose water may irritate fragrance-sensitive skin.
Which should you choose?
The experts split evenly: both sit on a Guru Score of 73%. With nothing between them on the score, the pick comes down to fit. Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner is most often recommended for sensitive skin, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution for oily, combination and acne-prone. Both are independently verified on the Guru Index, so either is a sound pick; let the use case and your budget settle it.