Heartleaf got its name due to its little, dark-green leaves that form hearts and is known in Korea as 어성초 (Eoseongcho). It’s found throughout Korea, Japan and China and in spring produces little white clover-like flowers. It has been a long-time herbal remedy and even used in cooking to add a little sour tang. More importantly, it’s a wonderful benefit in skincare – being used to tackle everything from redness, eczema, acne and balancing oils. 

Although it had been a component of skincare, it did not reach true popularity until 2019, when ANUA launched its sensitive skin friendly products, including its famous heartleaf formulas. And when the pandemic struck in 2020, heartleaf again was launched into headlines with its ability to kill viruses. 

So, what does it do for skin? Is it worth the hype? Let’s explore the benefits of heartleaf and how it can fit into your skincare routine. 

Heartleaf is heralded for its calming properties. It is rich in a variety of molecules with active, calming and infection-fighting molecules. It has been shown to soothe inflammation, reducing redness and irritation on skin and reducing acne-causing bacteria. It is also a natural humectant, meaning it holds water and creates a quick boost of hydration to skin when applied (A heartleaf toner boosted skin hydration two times more than a standard toner).

Also rich in antioxidants, heartleaf provides molecules that protect against environmental damage and provide a lift to fine lines and improves texture. It’s an ideal addition to irritated or damaged skin to provide lasting relief, calm redness and refresh acne spots. 

Due to its calming properties, it forms an ideal and gentle addition to acne skincare – making it a favourite for irritated and angry skin barriers. It is commonly combined with sebum-balancing products to deeply clear pores and bring relief to acne-prone skin. 

It can be used in all skin types – but if you are looking for benefits it’s best suited for: 
- oily skin types 
- combination skin types 
- large pores 
- acne-prone 
- irritated or inflamed skin 

Heartleaf is best used in the cleansing step of skincare, giving it the ability to reach deep into pores where acne-causing bacteria and irritation occur. This reflects on the products that contain heartleaf; most commonly found in both cleansers and toners. When used in a serum, it should be ideally a watery, lightweight texture to allow it to be used first and get good contact with skin. 

For oily and acne-prone skin it can be used both morning and night to ensure a strong interaction and improve skin appearance. 

5. Abib Acne Foam Cleanser Heartleaf Foam 
This made the list as a personal favourite. It is a deep, soothing and rich foamy cleanser that is perfect to balance acne and irritation. With a gentle coconut-based formula, this cleanser doesn’t strip oil from your skin, but contains soothing wintergreen, heartleaf and centella asciatica to calm and hydrate whilst exfoliating with BHA. It provides the perfect morning refreshment and is not too irritating for sensitive skin. It does have a strong herbal scent – which puts off some, but I personally feel more awake and my skin looks brighter. 

4. ANUA Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner 
This toner exploded across the internet a few years ago, due to its 77% heartleaf extract formula blended into a simple toner that hydrates, soothes and balances natural pH for a sensitive-skin friendly cleanse. It’s made this list as its a classic example of the benefits of heartleaf and contains little else to irritate or unbalance skin. 

Some users complain that it has been over-hyped (which is fair), but the point of it is that it contains no actives – giving sensitive skin a great option for toning and hydration with minimal irritation. If your skin is out of balance and irritated and you just need something calming, then its a great addition to your routine. 

3. Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Daily Sunscreen

This sunscreen is a velvety, lightweight and deeply soothing addition to any skincare routine. It contains a lightweight formula that absorbs quickly with no cast and protects your skin with SPF+50, with a deeply nutritious blend of both rice and heartleaf extract to calm redness and cool skin. Since this list is about products that star heartleaf, this sunscreen uses it beautifully to create the perfect sensitive-skin friendly and calming sun cover.

2. Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream 
The famous, protective king of Dr Althea’s range. It’s the ultimate, soothing barrier repair moisturizer for acne-prone and damaged skin. It’s infused with deep soothing ingredients, including our calming heartleaf, as well as panthenol and ficus extract (for boosting moisture). It doesn’t top our list as the heartleaf works in the background of a variety of botanical extracts, but it is a well-chosen addition. 

1. Celimax Ji Woo Gae Heartleaf BHA Peeling Pad 
For deep and lasting refreshment for oily skin, these peeling pads have your back no matter where you are. With a dual sided pad, one provides a soft-cotton infusion of essence of heartleaf, BHA and green tea, whilst the other gently exfoliates and clears pores. This pad is an easy and perfect addition to any skincare routine and is a great secret weapon to help clear acne breakouts. The only downside is the exfoliation can be drying/irritating to sensitive and dry skin types – so only pick these out if you need the clearing power. 

Shop the best of soothing heartleaf products at Arktastic. All products sourced fresh from Seoul for authentic, calming skincare.

Is heartleaf good for skin? 
Yes, heartleaf is a great hydrating addition to a skincare routine. It is especially suited for dry, sensitive, irritated and acne-prone skin. It is full of antioxidants to help repair skin surface damage, as well as acts as an anti-inflammatory remedy (calming redness, itching and irritation), whilst also being anti-microbial and anti-viral. It’s a perfect all-rounder to moisturize and soothe your skin. 

How to add heartleaf to your skincare routine? 
Heartleaf is perfect in adding to the cleansing part of your routine – ideal as a foamy cleanser to relieve pores and as a toner to refresh impurities. It’s not going to do much if layered too far away from the skin, so only pick up a heartleaf product that you can apply directly to irritated sites. Heartleaf is soothing and can’t be over-used, so feel free to integrate it into morning and evening routine as needed. 

What products work well with heartleaf? 
Heartleaf is a great all-round soothing addition to any routine. Heartleaf makes a good combination with actives (AHA/BHA, retinol, Vitamin C) to help calm irritation and ensure a deep cleanse. Heartleaf also provides good hydration, which can be sealed neatly in with ceramides or panthenol.