Anua

BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner.

Toners

About this product

A lightweight exfoliating toner containing 2% salicylic acid (BHA) designed to gently remove dead skin and help manage acne-prone and oily skin.

Full ingredients

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodeceth-16, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica (Fig) Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Ceramide NP, Butylene Glycol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin

Guru Score

63%

Mixed

3 experts · Moderate agreement

3Gurus

1Yay

1Mixed

1Nay

What they liked

Niacinamide and tranexamic acid combination
Gentle enough for regular use

What they flagged

Alpha arbutin concentration too low to matter

What the gurus are saying

One expert found it calming and well-formulated, praising how the 2% salicylic acid soothes even during breakouts without over-irritating, and suggests easing in with twice weekly use at most. However, another guru flagged the tea tree oil as a concern, particularly for those prone to hyperpigmentation, and passed on recommending it despite appreciating the ceramides and lack of fragrance. The read splits on whether the tea tree outweighs the gentle actives.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take January 2025

Best for

Oily skin Acne-prone skin

Type

TonersLiquid

Key actives

Hyaluronic acid Salicylic acid (BHA)Vitamin ECeramides

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google → iHerb →

Opens a search for this product. We do not sell anything ourselves.

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

~Nay

"As it stands it's a"

Nipun Kapur

408k subs

~Yay

"This is the only BHA toner on the market that actually has ceramides and it is absolutely skin soothing."

All 3 takes from Nipun Kapur

Best Products from Anua for All Skin Types | Best Korean Skincare for Indian Skin | Nipun Kapur

"This is the only BHA toner on the market that actually has ceramides and it is absolutely skin soothing."

Best Toners for Oily Skin: Top Picks for 2024 | Nipun Kapur

"This is something which is also amazing specially for those whose skin is oily"

Korean Skincare That Should Be Viral I Best Korean Skincare of 2024 | Nipun Kapur

"This product is highly underrated it should be viral"

AliceintheRabbitHole

59k subs

~Mixed

"I have a little bit of inner conflict on the Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner. I love seeing this as an alternative to the Paula's Choice exfoliating BHA 2% toner, it's more affordable, it's the same general concept. They added ceramides, hyaluronic acid, some tea tree extract. Overall it is a nice formula but I feel like it's kind of strong. At the end of the day I like this one more because it does feel stronger, but is it necessarily better, that's debatable. I'm glad I tried it, and it's a more affordable option."

All 2 takes from AliceintheRabbitHole

Is Anua Skincare Worth the Hype? 1-Month Review/Ranking

Products I'm QUITTING (& their replacements!)

"Overall I think this is a great option, and if you're looking for a K Beauty dupe of the Paula's Choice 2% BHA, I actually feel this might be the closest one in K Beauty I've ever tried. It has a lower pH than the BHA I typically use, and I have a bit of a more sensitive skin type, so it felt more aggressive to me and I noticed more stinging. It's not a bad product, it's a personal preference thing, but I'm setting it aside to switch to something else."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid dissolves in oil, so it can get into a pore rather than just working on the surface. That is why it has long-standing evidence for blackheads and milder acne.

Source: DermNet

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner?

A lightweight exfoliating toner containing 2% salicylic acid (BHA) designed to gently remove dead skin and help manage acne-prone and oily skin.

Is Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 63%.

What is Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner's Guru Score?

Anua BHA 2% Gentle Exfoliating Toner holds a Guru Score of 63%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected.