Anua

Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream.

Retinoids

About this product

A fragrance-free retinol and collagen cream in a gua sha-shaped applicator, formulated to refine and hydrate the neck and décolletage area.

Full ingredients

Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isononyl Isononanoate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Castor Oil/IPDI Copolymer, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Hexyldecyl Myristoyl Methylaminopropionate, Squalane, Arginine, Carbomer, Lithospermum Erythrorhizon Root Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Retinol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Brassica Campestris (Rapeseed) Sterols, Cholesterol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Phytosteryl/Behenyl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Aluminum/Magnesium Hydroxide Stearate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Chitosan, Tris(Tetramethylhydroxypiperidinol) Citrate, Behenyl Alcohol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Niacinamide, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone, Hydrogenated Poly(C6-14 Olefin)

Guru Score

68%

Mixed

4 experts · Moderate agreement

What the gurus are saying

The retinol formula visibly blurs fine lines on the neck with smooth, plumped skin, though experts split on value. The gua sha-shaped container is a unique novelty but becomes waste once the cream is gone; some found the formulation excellent and rubbed it on by hand instead of using the applicator, while others call the $30 price wasteful for single-use packaging. Fragrance-free and hydrating, it hits the important retinol boxes.

Synthesized from 4 expert reviews · most recent take October 2026

What they liked

Well-tolerated, minimal stinging or irritation
Rich, nourishing texture
Neck line blurring and more even skin tone

What they flagged

Gua sha applicator awkward to use
Retinol percentage not disclosed
Pricey for a single-use shaped container

Best for

Mature skin

Type

RetinoidsCream

Key actives

Retinoid Niacinamide Squalane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

Ulta → Amazon → Google → iHerb →

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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

CYoung

95k subs

~Nay

"Anua calls this a collagen and gua sha cream for the face. It's basically the same as the Medicube one, just a different color but the same shape, even the packaging [...] and the twist mechanism are the same. It's a little expensive, about thirty dollars, and it's kind of fun, but please don't waste your money buying both. [...] Why waste money on a single use gua sha shaped cream like this? Once the cream is gone it's trash, just buy one proper gua sha tool that lasts forever instead."

The Budget Dermatologist

724k subs

~Yay

"The Collagen Retinol from Anua has retinol in it and doubles as a gua sha tool, you squeeze it out and use it to help promote absorption and sculpting. [...] This is one I've been using the most and it's so good."

No BS Beauty

89k subs

~Mixed

"They say this cream is formulated with retinol capsules, collagen, and peptides to refine the neck to décolletage. It also has niacinamide, panthenol, macadamia nut oil, and Japanese gold thread extract. It's fragrance-free, alcohol-free. It looks very unique. I'm always down for something unique and maybe it's finally time for me to try it out."

Dr Dray

2.69M subs

~Yay

"I tried out Anua's collagen retinol refining gouacha cream earlier this year and I have since come to really like it and strongly recommend it. Ignore the gouacha thing because they got to rope people in and set themselves apart from everyone else. I don't think gouacha does anything. If you enjoy it and find it to be helpful, by all means, it's not harmful. It may reduce puffiness temporarily, but it's not going to sculpt your face or change the trajectory of facial aging."

What the evidence says.

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

Retinoids

Retinoids are among the best studied ingredients in dermatology, with solid evidence for acne and for the fine lines and rough texture that come from sun exposure. Dryness and flaking in the first few weeks are common and usually settle.

Source: DermNet

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

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 Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream?

A fragrance-free retinol and collagen cream in a gua sha-shaped applicator, formulated to refine and hydrate the neck and décolletage area.

Is Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 68%.

What is Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream's Guru Score?

Anua Collagen Retinol Refining Gua Sha Cream holds a Guru Score of 68%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 4 expert reviewers we have collected.