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Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
The viral heartleaf cleansing oil: a light, rinse-clean first cleanse for makeup and sebum, but fragranced and breakout-prone for some.
7.7
Good
Beauty score
#7 of 8 cleansers
Community
—/10
- Format
- Cleansing oil
- Size
- 200 ml
- Price per oz
- $3.25 / oz
- Price tier
- Mid-range
Made for: All skin types · Sensitive skin · Acne-prone skin
Key ingredients:Heartleaf
Last reviewed November 2, 2026 by our editors · How we score
The verdict
The viral heartleaf cleansing oil: a light, rinse-clean first cleanse for makeup and sebum, but fragranced and breakout-prone for some.
Anua's Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil is a lightweight first-step oil cleanser with heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) extract and sunflower, macadamia, olive, jojoba and grape seed oils; the brand says it dissolves makeup, sebum and sunscreen without greasy residue. A blogger saw stubborn whiteheads clear after one use, and a long-term Reddit user calls it a favorite. It contains fragrance and ethylhexyl palmitate, and the same blogger and several Reddit users report breakouts, so results are hit or miss.
Best for
- First step of a double cleanse
- Daily sunscreen and makeup wearers who double cleanse
- People who prefer an oil over a balm
What we love
- Brand says it dissolves makeup, sebum and sunscreen in one step
- Light, runny oil that the brand says leaves no greasy residue
- Pump bottle and 200 ml size
- Brand states it is non-comedogenic and cruelty-free
Worth knowing
- Contains added fragrance
- Breakouts reported by a blogger and by several Reddit users
- Contains ethylhexyl palmitate, which that blogger flagged as potentially pore-clogging
How it scored
The breakdown.
Five factors, weighted for formulas. Here’s our working.
7.7Good
Beauty score out of 10. Brands can’t pay for placement — ever.
- Results30%7.6
The brand cites a 22.8% change in sebum amount in clinical testing and a blogger saw stubborn whiteheads clear, but that blogger and several Reddit users broke out, so results are hit or miss.
- Formula & ingredients20%7.0
A plant-oil and ester blend with heartleaf extract cleans well, but added fragrance and ethylhexyl palmitate are drawbacks for reactive or clog-prone skin.
- Texture & experience15%8.2
A blogger describes a runny, colorless oil that is not heavy, and the brand says it rinses off without greasy residue; the floral scent will not suit everyone.
- Value20%8.0
Anua lists 200 ml at $22 with 2–3 pumps per use, a mid-range price for a cleansing oil in a pump bottle.
- Community love15%7.6
It went viral on TikTok and is heavily reviewed, but recent r/AsianBeauty threads are split between long-term fans and users reporting bad breakouts, with one calling it hit or miss.
Beauty profile
Inside the bottle.
Texture
Runny, lightweight oil that emulsifies with water and rinses without a greasy film
Format
Cleansing oil
Fragrance
Contains fragrance — Light floral scent from added fragrance
Size
200 ml
Key ingredients
Ingredient encyclopedia →What’s in it: Heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) extract with sunflower, macadamia, olive, jojoba, grape seed and moringa oils, plus turmeric and neem extracts; the brand cites a 22.8% change in sebum amount in clinical testing.
How to use
Pump 2–3 times into dry hands, massage onto a dry face, emulsify with water until makeup melts, rinse with warm water, then follow with a water-based cleanser.
Free from (brand-stated)
- artificial colors
Claims & certifications
- Non-comedogenic
- Cruelty-free (brand-stated)
Full ingredient list (INCI)22 ingredients · key actives highlighted · as listed by the brand
- Ethylhexyl Palmitate,
- Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate,
- Sorbitan Sesquioleate,
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride,
- Butyl Avocadate,
- Fragrance,
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil,
- Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil,
- Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil,
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil,
- Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil,
- Caprylyl Glycol,
- Ethylhexylglycerin,
- Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract,
- Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract,
- Tocopherol,
- Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract,
- Houttuynia Cordata Extract,
- Corallina Officinalis Extract,
- Melia Azadirachta Bark Extract,
- Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil,
- Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Formulas change. Always check the packaging, and patch-test if your skin is reactive.
Creator video reviews
Watch it in action.
Real reviews, try-ons and wear tests from independent creators — verified with TikTok and YouTube and labelled when sponsored.
We don’t pay creators for reviews, and they don’t pay us. Nothing from TikTok or YouTube loads until you press play.
What people say
Straight from the source.
Verbatim from Reddit, forums, blogs and the beauty press — linked, so you can read the whole thread.
5 verbatim quotes · 2 positive · 1 mixed · 2 critical
r/AsianBeautyMixed
The Anua oil seems to be super hit or miss for people. I’ve tried a couple of other oils (etude, tatcha) and the Anua one is still my fav. I’ve been using it every night for about 3 years now.
r/AsianBeautyCritical
Anua heartleaf cleansing oil must be the worst beauty product I've ever used, it broke me out so bad it took months to heal.
r/AsianBeautyPositive
I use heroine mascara and the Anua cleansing oil does the job of removing it (and everything else) :)
Rocks N CloudsCritical
Tbh, I had high expectation of this cleansing oil, but my skin broke out after first use, especially around my lips and nose.
Rocks N CloudsPositive
I tried so many ways to remove those whiteheads including using nose patch, clay masks and so much more but it does not budge but one use of this cleansing oil clear them ALL away.
Price & value
Is it worth it?
Typical price
$22.00
for 200 ml
Per ounce
$3.25
DrugstoreMid-rangePrestigeLuxury
About 43% more per ounce than the typical cleansers we review. Our value score: 8.0/10 for a mid-range pick.
Price checked November 2026 at a non-Amazon retailer. Prices change — retailers show the current one.
Where to buy
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. How we make money
Community
What members noticed.
Ratings, skin types and the benefits people actually saw — logged on the Benefit Wheel.
No member ratings yet.
Tried it? Your score — and your skin or hair type — helps the next person decide.
Highlighted: what it’s built to do.
Discussion
No discussions yet.
Tried Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil? Ask a question or share how it’s working for your skin or hair — you’ll be the first.
FAQ
Good questions.
Is the Anua Heartleaf cleansing oil fragrance-free?
No. Fragrance is the sixth ingredient on Anua's list. Anua also sells a Heartleaf Pore Cleansing Oil Mild for people who want a gentler option.
Can it cause breakouts?
Anua calls it non-comedogenic and low-irritation, but a blogger and several r/AsianBeauty users report breakouts, while one long-term user has used it nightly for about three years. The formula contains ethylhexyl palmitate and several plant oils, so patch testing is sensible for clog-prone skin.
Do I need a second cleanser after it?
Anua's directions end with a double cleanse using a water-based cleanser after rinsing the oil.
Does it remove blackheads?
Anua markets it for blackheads and clogged pores and cites a 22.8% change in sebum amount in clinical testing. One blogger found it cleared stubborn whiteheads, but results vary.
Sources we checked (8)
- anua.com/products/heartleaf-pore-control-cleansing-oil-200ml
- anua.com/products/heartleaf-pore-control-cleansing-oil-200ml.json
- rocksnclouds.blogspot.com/2023/10/anua-heartleaf-pore-control-cleansing.html
- reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/1x1gdbv/whats_a_hyped_kbeautyjbeauty_product_that/
- amazon.com/dp/B0BN2PX8V3
- youtube.com/watch?v=52IzfuFG7XM
- prnewswire.com/ae/news-releases/anua-launches-on-amazon-in-europe-the-middle-east-and-australia--accelerating-global-momentum-for-k-beauty-302415676.html
- shop.tiktok.com/us/pdp/cleansing-oil-anua-heartleaf-pore-control-200ml-hypoallergenic-makeup-remover/1729440205033017825
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