Heartleaf

Houttuynia cordata, known in Korea as eoseongcho and in English as heartleaf or fish mint, is used for its calming, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant reputation, and it became one of the signature ingredients of the K-beauty boom. Laboratory and animal studies show its extracts can dampen inflammatory signaling and protect skin cells from UV stress, which is the rationale for 'soothing' and 'pore care' claims. Those studies use different extract types and are not trials of finished products, so think of heartleaf as a gentle supporting ingredient rather than an active that treats acne or redness on its own.

In our directory: It’s a key ingredient in 1 product we review, most often cleansers. Those products are mostly built for blackheads, clogged pores and oil control.

Use heartleaf toners, cleansers or serums once or twice daily; toners are often applied with hands or as a 3-minute pad mask on red, warm areas.

References

1. 1Anti-inflammatory effects of a Houttuynia cordata supercritical extract — PubMed
2. 2Photoprotective Effects of a Hyperoside-Enriched Fraction Prepared from Houttuynia cordata Thunb. on Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Aging in Human Fibroblasts through the MAPK Signaling Pathway — PubMed Central
3. 3Inhibition of LPS-Induced Skin Inflammatory Response and Barrier Damage via MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway by Houttuynia cordata Thunb Fermentation Broth — PubMed Central

Educational, not medical advice. Ingredient guides summarise published research and expert guidance; formulas and concentrations differ between products.