Nowadays, products that contain hearleaf as a key ingredient are going viral among korean skincare and it became favorite ingredient for many people.

So what is hearleaf and how is it effective?

🍃 What is Heartleaf (Houttuynia Cordata)?

Heartleaf's scientific name is Houttuynia Cordata. It is a flowering plant that is native in East Asia. It was used for a long time since past. It was used as a traditional herbal medicine for its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. 

Nowadays, it is used commonly in skincare as a powerful soothing and clarifying ingredient.

It is especially loved by people with acne-prone, sensitive, and inflamed skin.

When we look at ingredients of nowaday's skincare products, most of the ingredients are newly discovered or made. However, unlike them, heartleaf is a trational ingredient that was used for a long time in East Asia. People consumed it as a tea or poultice to cool the body, reduce internal heat, and purify the blood. 

And its calming property is used as a skincare ingrdient until now.

🧪 What Makes Heartleaf So Effective?

Key Benefits:

✅ Anti-inflammatory — Reduces redness and calms irritated skin

✅ Antibacterial & Antimicrobial — Helps prevent and soothe acne breakouts

✅ Sebum control — Balances oil production without getting rid of moisture

✅ Antioxidant — Protects skin from oxidative stress and environmental damage

✅ Wound Healing — Accelerates skin repair and regeneration

Heartleaf contains a rich amount of flavonoids (ex. quercetin and rutin), polysaccharides, and essential oils and all of them contribute to skin soothing and clearing. 

🌱 Where It Comes From: Sourcing & Extraction

Houttuynia Cordata grows in damp, shaded areas and is particularly abundant in three countries in Asia, Korea, China, and Japan. Heartleaf extract, that is used in skincare is usually drived from the flower, leaf, and stem par of the plant.

There are two most common modern extraction methods.

i) cold-press extraction

ii) low temperature decoction

These are used to preserve the bioactive compounds while minimising degradation.

ex) Anua heartleaf 77 toner boast up to 77% heartleaf extract and maximise efficacy without adding additional irritants.

🔍 Heartleaf vs. Traditional Acne Ingredients

Properties and benefits of heartleaf are similar or same with other traditional acne ingredients but its advantage is that it is very mild and gentle.

People with sensitive skin weren't able to use other ingredients because it may cause irritation or stinging but after heartleaf became common in skincare products, skincare has become more accessible even for those with sensitive skin. 

🧬 Heartleaf’s Active Compounds

🌿 Flavonoids:

ex. Quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin

They are powerful antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and calm skin inflammation.

🌿 Polysaccharides:

Provide hydration and support skin’s natural barrier function.

🌿 Essential Oils:

Including methyl-n-nonyl ketone and is known for its antimicrobial effects.

These natural actives work synergistically to cool down the irritated skin, reduce acnes, and strengthen the skin barrier.

🧪 Clinical Insights & Skin Compatibility

Not only traditional usages but recent studies also support heartleaf's effectiveness in reducing inflammatory breakouts in skin conditions like acne and eczema.

✅ Low irritation potential — Ideal even for reactive skin

✅ Non-comedogenic — Doesn’t clog pores. Oily skin type can also use heartleaf. 

✅ Safe for daily use — Works well with other actives like niacinamide, panthenol, and hyaluronic acid

🌟 Top 5 Korean Skincare Products with Heartleaf

Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner

— A high concentration of heartleaf for calming and balancing skin.

Goodal Heartleaf Calming Moisture Cream

— Gel cream texture. Contains heartleaf and madecassoside for sensitive skin recovery.

Abib Heartleaf Essence Calming Pump

— Lightweight essence with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

By Ecom Heartleaf Ampoule

— Targets breakouts and irritation with high-purity extract.

Isntree Spot Saver Mugwort Ampoule (with Heartleaf)

— Combined heartleaf and mugwort for intense soothing action for people with sensitive skin.

I also have very sensitive skins and after using heartleaf skincare, I could feel that my skin barrier got a lot stronger. I would recommend you to use those items that I chose as TOP 5. Also, if your skin is VERY sensitive, you'd better start using heartleaf by starting from the toner type products. Hope everyone's skin get clearer!!