Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Cleansing Foam Review (2026)
Skin-type fit
- CombinationGreat
- OilyGood
- Sensitive / reactiveGood
- Redness / rosacea-proneGood
- Acne / blemish-proneGood
- Fungal-acne-prone (Malassezia)Good
- DryCaution
Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam is a daily foaming cleanser for oily, combination and congested skin. It pairs Anua’s signature heartleaf with quercetin, a mild BHA (listed as 0.5%) and gentle amino-acid cleansing agents. The goal is to clear excess oil and keep pores clean without the tight, stripped feel of classic foams. It comes in a 150 ml tube for about $14.
Last verified: October 2026 against the INCI on my own tube. Formulas change, so check yours.
Editor-Tested Cleanser Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
Is it worth it? (the short answer)
Yes, if you have combination or oily skin, including sensitive skin, and want a foam that cleans properly without stripping.
- Buy it if your T-zone gets oily, your pores congest, and classic foams leave your cheeks tight.
- Skip it if your skin is very dry all over, or you react to eucalyptus or essential oils.
Our hands-on test
Tester’s skin: sensitive and combination, dry on the cheeks and oily on the forehead and chin, with visible capillaries and easy redness. How I used it: morning and evening, for over two weeks.
- Cleansing: it cleans really well.
- Lather and amount: it lathers beautifully from a small amount, so a tube goes a long way. Excellent value.
- Afterfeel: no tight feeling after rinsing, even on my drier cheeks.
- Tolerance: no irritation at all, even with twice-daily use.
- Scent: it smells clearly of eucalyptus. That matches the label: eucalyptus leaf oil is on my tube’s ingredient list.
- Oil control: after just over two weeks, I haven’t noticed a clearly visible change in how oily my T-zone gets. The brand’s own test measured results at four weeks, so I’ll update this.
- Overall: gentle and effective. It’s become my everyday cleanser.
What it is and how it works
The foam leads with heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) water, the soothing Korean botanical behind Anua’s bestselling toner. Around it sit:
- Mild cleansing agents based on amino acids and glucosides (sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, coco- and decyl glucoside). These explain the clean-but-comfortable finish.
- Gentle BHA. Retailers list 0.5% BHA, delivered as salicylic-acid derivatives (betaine salicylate and capryloyl salicylic acid, or LHA). At this level, in a product that rinses off, it does light pore upkeep, not a peel.
- Quercetin, an antioxidant flavonoid, plus heartleaf powder, a multi-weight hyaluronic acid complex and the brand’s “Anti-Sebum P” botanical blend.
The brand reports 26.7% less oil and 17.2% less sebum after four weeks, plus completed irritation and non-comedogenic tests. Neither result says who ran the test or how many people took part, so treat them as supportive, not proof.
Formulation and flags
| Check | Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Foam |
|---|---|
| Hero | Heartleaf water + quercetin + mild BHA/LHA |
| Cleansing agents | Amino-acid and glucoside surfactants (mild, sulfate-free) |
| Exfoliation | Gentle — about 0.5% BHA, rinse-off |
| Fragrance | No parfum, but eucalyptus leaf oil (confirmed on my tube). It smells clearly of eucalyptus, despite “fragrance-free” retail claims. |
| Alcohol | Isopropyl alcohol, mid-list (a small amount) |
| Fungal acne | No oils or esters flagged in my tube’s INCI; listed FA-safe on SkinSort |
| Size / price | 150 ml, about $14 / £15 |
The INCI on my tube (EU/UK packaging, October 2026). Other markets may differ.
What the internet really says
The consensus is warm: 4.4/5 from 737 reviews on Ulta (95% would recommend) and 4.9/5 from 105 on Beauty Bay. The praise repeats: a small amount goes a long way, it cleans well without harshness, and skin feels soft. Several people with oily skin mention smaller-looking, less clogged pores after a couple of weeks.
The honest negatives:
- A minority break out or get redness after first use. It happens with any cleanser, but it’s worth a patch test.
- “Not for all skin types.” Very dry skin may find twice-daily foaming too much.
- “Fragrance-free” isn’t quite right. There’s no parfum, but the eucalyptus leaf oil gives a clear scent.
Our read: a reliable, well-priced daily foam that suits combination skin especially well. (User reports, not guarantees. Your skin may differ.)
Who it’s for, by skin type
| Skin type | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Combination | Great — clean T-zone, comfortable cheeks (tested ✓) |
| Oily | Good — removes oil without stripping; no visible oil-control change in 2 weeks |
| Sensitive | Good — no irritation in 2+ weeks (tested ✓); contains eucalyptus oil |
| Redness-prone | Good — no flushing in my test (tested ✓) |
| Acne / congested | Good — pore-friendly, not a treatment |
| Fungal-acne-prone | Good — no oils or esters flagged in my tube’s INCI |
| Very dry | Caution — once a day, then a rich cream |
How to use it (and where it fits)
Wet your face and work a pea-to-almond-sized amount into a lather in your hands. Massage it in gently for 30–60 seconds, avoiding the eyes, then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Morning and/or evening. Dry cheeks? Use it in the evening only.
- If you wear SPF or makeup, use it as the second step of a double cleanse.
- Follow with a calming toner such as Anua Heartleaf 77, then your serum and moisturizer.
Alternatives and comparisons
- Low-pH gel with a similar mild BHA: COSRX Low pH Good Morning.
- Gentler for dry or reactive skin: Beauty of Joseon Green Plum.
- Budget foam without BHA: SKIN1004 Centella Ampoule Foam.
- More options: Best Gentle Korean Cleansers for a Damaged Barrier
Price and where to buy
About $14 / £15 for 150 ml, and widely available (Ulta, Amazon, YesStyle, Beauty Bay). The button at the top of this review sends you to the best option for your region.
FAQ
Is Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol foam good for sensitive skin?
Yes, in my experience. I have sensitive, combination, redness-prone skin, and it cleans thoroughly, doesn’t leave my skin tight and caused no irritation in over two weeks of twice-daily use. It does contain eucalyptus leaf oil (you can smell it), so patch-test first if essential oils bother you.
Does Anua Heartleaf cleansing foam contain BHA?
Yes, a mild amount. Retailers list 0.5% BHA, and the ingredient list includes salicylic-acid derivatives such as betaine salicylate and capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA). Because a cleanser rinses off within a minute, the effect is gentle pore upkeep, not an acne treatment.
Can you use Anua Quercetinol foam every day?
Yes. I’ve used it morning and evening for over two weeks on my sensitive, combination skin with no irritation. If your cheeks are very dry, use it once a day (in the evening) and rinse with water in the morning.
Is Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol foam good for oily skin?
For cleansing, yes. It removes excess oil and leaves a clean but comfortable finish. The brand reports less oil and sebum after four weeks; after just over two weeks of my own testing, I haven’t seen a clearly visible change in oiliness yet.
Should I double cleanse with Anua cleansing foam?
If you wear sunscreen or makeup, use an oil or balm cleanser first, then this foam as the second cleanse. On no-makeup days, the foam alone is enough.
Reviewed and tested by Margaret Wojewoda. How we evaluate products: see our methodology. Sources appear below and include independent ingredient analysis.
Related
- Best Gentle Korean Cleansers for a Damaged Barrier
- Double Cleansing: The Complete Guide
- Low-pH Cleansing Explained
Sources
Alternatives & dupes
| Product | Price | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|
| COSRXCOSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser | $ | Low-pH gel with betaine salicylate; even lighter lather. |
| Beauty of JoseonBeauty of Joseon Green Plum Refreshing Cleanser | $ | Gentle low-pH gel for drier or reactive skin. |
| SKIN1004SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Ampoule Foam | $ | Budget centella foam, no BHA. |