ANUA Heartleaf: the soothing K-beauty routine for reactive skin

Why heartleaf became the go-to ingredient for reactive skin

Houttuynia cordata — known as heartleaf or Dokudami in Korea — has been used in East Asian medicine for centuries for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. ANUA built its core line around a high-concentration heartleaf extract and has become one of the most recommended brands in K-beauty communities for skin that flushes easily, reacts to fragrance or fluctuates with stress and diet. The key differentiator is concentration: most soothing products include a fraction of the active, while ANUA goes straight to 70 or 77 percent.

Step one: the 77+ Soothing Toner

The Anua Heartleaf 77+ Soothing Toner contains 77% heartleaf extract alongside niacinamide, which together address redness, visible pores and uneven skin tone in a single step. The texture is a light watery fluid that absorbs immediately without tackiness. It can be patted on with hands or applied with a cotton pad, and layered twice — once for calming, once for hydration — without feeling heavy. For acne-prone skin, the slight antibacterial action of heartleaf at this concentration makes it a useful daily tool for keeping breakouts manageable.

Step two: targeted relief with Heartleaf 70 Intense Calming Cream

The Anua Heartleaf 70 Intense Calming Cream uses a richer base to deliver 70% heartleaf extract to the skin. It is less heavy than a traditional comfort cream but more occlusive than a gel, which makes it well-suited to skin that is both sensitive and dehydrated. Applied after the toner while skin is still slightly damp, it seals in the hydration from the previous step and creates a protective film that reduces transepidermal water loss overnight. Redness and tightness typically ease noticeably within the first few uses.

Step three: barrier reinforcement with the ceramide cream

The Anua 3 Ceramide Panthenol Moisture Barrier Cream rounds out the routine by targeting the underlying cause of reactive skin: a weakened moisture barrier. Three types of ceramide (ceramide NP, AP and EOP) mimic the natural lipid composition of the stratum corneum, while panthenol accelerates repair and helps the skin tolerate environmental stress better over time. It is the heaviest texture in the line, so it works best as a final step at night or as a targeted layer over drier zones during the day. The 100ml format makes it a reliable everyday choice for anyone with chronically sensitised skin.