Why Anua (And The Ingredient Heartleaf) Is The New Frontier For Acne-Prone Skin

As a Dermal Therapist, I see many different skin types and conditions and a huge part of my job is performing evidence-based treatments as well as prescribing personalised cosmeceutical skincare to help clients achieve happy and healthy skin.

You can catch me in my element in-clinic at TEGANMAC.SKIN in Brunswick West, Melbourne (and if you haven’t figured it out already, that makes my boss Tegan Mac - the co-host of Beauty IQ Expert podcast)!

But beyond my job in the clinic, there’s another aspect of skincare that I’m simply obsessed with: K-Beauty!

I’m always exploring new trends, techniques, and products from the K-Beauty scene, but one Korean skincare brand that I’ve been loving lately is Anua (which has gone completely viral on social media), so I was stoked when I found out that they are now available at Adore Beauty!

Get comfy and grab some popcorn because I’m going to take you through three products from their Heartleaf range and why you should consider adding to cart, particularly if you have acne-prone skin.

P.S. Given my background in pharmaceutical and cosmetic science, I am an ingredient nerd at heart so if this sort of stuff also tickles your fancy, let’s be friends on TikTok!

Heartleaf, also known as Houttuynia cordata, might just be the underdog hero your skincare routine didn't know it needed.

This leafy green plant has been around for centuries, mostly hanging out in East Asia where it’s been used in traditional medicine for its healing properties.

But don’t let its unassuming name fool you - this leafy powerhouse is packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory magic, and antibacterial properties which is why heartleaf and acne-prone skin are a match made in skincare heaven!

Acne is often triggered by inflammation, which makes those pesky pimples look angrier and redder than they need to be.

This is where heartleaf comes in to save the day - it’s a natural anti-inflammatory, which means it’s really good at keeping your skin from freaking out when things get too stressful. It helps soothe the skin, reducing that angry redness around pimples and keeping the skin from flaring up.

Acne can sometimes leave behind dark spots or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (those annoying scars that stick around long after the pimple has gone), which free radicals could be responsible for making worse.

So, by incorporating heartleaf into your routine, you’re not only treating active acne, but you’re also giving your skin a little extra protection to help prevent long-term marks.

It’s packed with flavonoids, polyphenols, and other antioxidant-rich compounds that act like little bodyguards, fighting off those nasty free radicals that cause skin damage (breakouts) and skin ageing (pigmentation).

Bacteria (hello, Propionibacterium acnes) love to hang out in clogged pores and cause inflammation that leads to acne. Heartleaf has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which help keep those pesky acne-causing bacteria at bay. Think of it like a little army of natural soldiers protecting your skin from further breakouts while it's healing.

But here’s the best part - unlike some other acne-fighting ingredients that can leave your skin feeling tight or dry, heartleaf is super gentle and hydrating.

So, if you’re looking for a gentle yet effective ingredient to add to your acne-fighting arsenal, heartleaf might just be the ingredient your skin has been waiting for! 

Here's three Anua skincare products that I love and use...

If you don’t currently oil cleanse - boy, are you missing out!

Oil cleansing is not only the perfect first step to a double cleanse, but it works so much better than a cleansing wipe or micellar water to remove makeup IMO. 

The Anua cleansing oil has to be one of the most lightweight cleansing oils I’ve tried to date.

I use it every single day in my PM routine - yep, even on no-makeup days because you still need to remove SPF properly and we are ALL wearing SPF on a daily basis, aren’t we?!

What are the key Anua cleansing oil ingredients?

It’s packed with nourishing ingredients like heartleaf extract (yes, we just talked about this little powerhouse!), which helps calm inflammation and reduce redness, as well as various plant oils (sunflower seed oil, macadamia seed oil, jojoba seed oil etc) to hydrate the skin. This is perfect for anyone with sensitive or acne-prone skin because you’re getting a thorough cleanse without that stripped, dry feeling that comes with harsher cleansers.

The smooth and silky texture of the Anua heartleaf cleansing oil glides so easily over the skin to break down excess oil and gunk in the pores as well as sunscreen and heavy makeup (including waterproof mascara). Blackheads? We don’t know her. 

Anyone with any sort of inflammation present on the skin - whether that be acne, rosacea or eczema - could benefit from having this product in their regime.

Packed with a crazy 80% heartleaf extract, this ampoule works overtime to calm irritation, reduce redness, and keep your skin feeling chill, even if your day was anything but. It also infuses your skin with a refreshing gulp of moisture thanks to glycerin and sodium hyaluronate, leaving it super plump and glowy without feeling greasy.

This is my go-to product especially after an intense workout when I get home looking like a tomato, or that dreaded week before my period when the hormonal angry cystic breakouts come out to play. The lightweight gel texture absorbs so easily into the skin once applied, making it easy to layer with other skincare products and perfect for all skin types.

If your skin’s been feeling stressed out, red, irritated, or just a bit meh, this cream is like a big, comforting hug for your skin.

One of the best Korean face products, all of the key ingredients in this formula come together to create a cream that’s calming and hydrating while also strengthening the skin barrier.

Exactly what you need after a long day of battling pollution, stress, or even just life in general!

In addition to heartleaf, this cream is packed with some of my favourite ingredients that I recommend to a lot of clients with sensitive and barrier-impaired skins i.e. glycerin, panthenol and ceramides.

The texture of this cream is not as light as a gel cream but also not as heavy as a thicker cream. It’s honestly the perfect in-between for all skin types but especially dry and sensitive.

After diving into its benefits, it’s clear that heartleaf isn’t just a trendy botanical - it’s a skincare powerhouse that offers incredible results for clearer, healthier skin!

Whether you're dealing with hormonal breakouts, occasional flare-ups, or general redness, heartleaf supports your skin in healing, balancing, and staying calm. It’s the gentle yet powerful ingredient your acne-prone skin has been waiting for!