Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam
K-Beauty Pore-Clearing Cleanser
Verified reviewer
Pros & cons.
- +Dual-BHA system (salicylic acid + LHA) provides two-speed pore clearing in a wash-off format
- +Amino acid-based surfactants produce satisfying foam without sulfate-level stripping
- +Seven-type hyaluronic acid complex prevents post-cleansing dehydration despite BHA content
- +Small amount produces ample foam — 150 mL tube lasts 3-4 months of nightly use
- +33.4% heartleaf extract base soothes during exfoliation, reducing BHA irritation risk
- +Noticeable blackhead reduction and pore refinement with consistent use over 2-6 weeks
- −Contains added fragrance — inconsistent with Anua's fragrance-free brand positioning
- −Not pregnancy-safe due to salicylic acid content
- −Too active for dry or very sensitive skin types — BHA can cause dryness with daily use
- −Quercetinol branding overstates what may be a marginal improvement over heartleaf extract alone
- −Brief contact time limits how much the BHA can accomplish per wash compared to leave-on treatments
The full review.
About Quercetinol
Quercetinol is not a real ingredient. It’s a branded name Anua invented to describe their combination of Houttuynia cordata extract with isolated quercetin — the same flavonoid that occurs naturally in heartleaf but now concentrated and listed separately on the INCI. Whether you consider this meaningful innovation or marketing sleight-of-hand depends on your tolerance for K-beauty brand storytelling. What matters more is whether the cleanser works, and on that front, the answer is a qualified yes that depends heavily on your skin type.
About the Product
This is Anua’s most active cleanser — a daily foam wash with 0.5% salicylic acid, capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA), and the Anti-Sebum P botanical complex, built on a 33.4% heartleaf extract base. It’s designed for the subset of Anua’s audience that needs more than soothing — the oily, acne-prone, blackhead-battling skin types who want their cleanser to actually do something about pore congestion rather than just wash off the day.
Texture
The surfactant system is where the gentle promise lives or dies, and Anua chose well. Sodium cocoyl glycinate and sodium lauroyl glutamate are amino acid-based surfactants — the gold standard for gentle foaming cleansers. They produce a dense, satisfying foam without the lipid-stripping aggression of sodium lauryl sulfate. The foam itself is genuinely pleasant — thick, cushion-like, and fine-bubbled in a way that feels premium during the brief lathering step. You need very little product to generate a full face’s worth of foam, which makes the 150 mL tube last longer than expected.
How it Works
The dual-BHA approach is the formula’s most interesting technical feature. Regular salicylic acid at 0.5% provides direct, oil-soluble exfoliation within the pore lining during the cleansing step. Capryloyl salicylic acid, a lipophilic derivative developed by L’Oréal under the name LHA, penetrates more gradually and provides a slower, sustained exfoliating effect. Together, they create a two-speed pore-clearing system — immediate action from the salicylic acid and extended-release activity from the LHA. In a wash-off format with 30-60 seconds of contact time, this dual approach compensates for the brief exposure by maximizing the exfoliant diversity that reaches the pore.
Ingredients
The seven-type hyaluronic acid complex is an unusual commitment for a cleanser. Standard sodium hyaluronate shares space with hydrolyzed forms, crosspolymer forms, hydroxypropyltrimonium hyaluronate (which binds to skin even after rinsing), acetylated sodium hyaluronate, and potassium hyaluronate. The goal is straightforward: prevent the BHA and surfactants from leaving the skin dehydrated. In practice, the cleanser delivers on this — skin after rinsing feels clean and slightly matte but not tight or stripped, which is a genuine achievement for a BHA foam cleanser.
Performance
Performance on pores is real but requires patience. The first use gives you cleaner-feeling skin and a satisfying matte finish. After two to three weeks of consistent evening use, blackheads in the nose and chin area start looking visibly reduced. By six weeks, the overall pore texture is genuinely smoother. The changes aren’t dramatic enough for before-and-after documentation, but they’re consistent and noticeable when you compare your skin to where it was before you started.
Scent
The fragrance issue returns here, just as it did with the clay mask. This cleanser contains added fragrance — a light herbal-floral scent that’s present during lathering and dissipates after rinsing. For a wash-off product with brief skin contact, the fragrance concern is less acute than in a leave-on formula, but it still represents a philosophical inconsistency for a brand that built its audience on fragrance-free formulations. Sensitive skin types who chose Anua specifically for clean-ingredient trust will notice this departure.
Not Ideal For
The salicylic acid also means this cleanser is not pregnancy-safe — a practical limitation that eliminates a significant portion of potential users during a period when skin often becomes more sensitive and reactive.
Key Ingredients
The heartleaf and quercetin base provides the anti-inflammatory foundation that makes the BHA tolerable for skin that would normally react to exfoliating cleansers. The quercetin, specifically, is a potent antioxidant with documented NF-kB inhibition activity. Whether the Quercetinol branding adds value beyond what the heartleaf extract already provides is debatable — quercetin is present in the extract itself — but the isolated addition ensures a standardized, higher concentration of the specific compound that drives the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Price
At $20 for 150 mL, the pricing is fair for a cleanser with this many active components. A pea-sized amount per use means the tube lasts three to four months of nightly use, making the per-wash cost negligible. For oily and combination skin types looking for a daily BHA cleanser that doesn’t strip the barrier, this is a well-engineered option that delivers measurable results through genuine formulation sophistication rather than marketing alone.
Who Should Buy
For those already embedded in the Anua heartleaf ecosystem, this cleanser represents the most active member of the family — the one that shows up with tools rather than just soothing words. The heartleaf extract and quercetin provide the brand’s signature calming, but the dual-BHA system and Anti-Sebum P complex give this product a mission that the toner and lotion don’t share. It’s not trying to calm for the sake of calm — it’s trying to clean and clear while keeping the inflammatory fallout to a minimum.
Anti-Sebum P Complex
The Anti-Sebum P complex — a proprietary blend of pine leaf, evening primrose, elm root, and kudzu root extracts — addresses sebum from a botanical angle, complementing the BHA’s chemical pore-clearing with plant-derived oil regulation. Whether this complex delivers measurable sebum reduction beyond what the BHA alone achieves is hard to isolate, but the inclusion signals Anua’s commitment to attacking pore congestion from multiple angles within a single product.
How to Use
One practical note: this cleanser works best as the second step in a double-cleanse routine, not as a standalone. The foam surfactants are gentle, but they’re not designed to dissolve heavy sunscreen or makeup on their own. Pair it with Anua’s own cleansing oil or micellar water for the first step, and let the foam cleanser focus on what it does best — gentle exfoliation and deep pore work on skin that’s already been surface-cleaned.
Ingredient analysis.
Full INCI list · pH 5.5
Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Quercetin, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Potassium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-67, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA
Skin match.
The science.
The Science
Dermatological literature confirms salicylic acid clears pores effectively. As a lipophilic beta-hydroxy acid, it enters oil-filled pores better than water-soluble AHAs to dissolve sebum and keratin that form comedones. At 0.5% in a wash-off format, this concentration provides gentle daily exfoliation that builds over time.
Capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA) is a next-generation salicylic acid derivative with higher lipophilicity and a more gradual, sustained release of salicylic acid activity. Published research shows LHA matches the efficacy of standard salicylic acid at equivalent concentrations but causes less irritation, which suits formulations for sensitive-but-oily skin.
Quercetin is an isolated flavonoid from Houttuynia cordata studied as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Research confirms it inhibits the NF-kB signaling pathway and suppresses COX-2 activity. The 2022 comprehensive review of Houttuynia cordata's pharmacological effects identifies quercetin as a primary active compound behind the plant's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Amino acid-based surfactants like sodium cocoyl glycinate disrupt the skin barrier significantly less than sulfate-based alternatives. Studies measuring transepidermal water loss after cleansing show amino acid surfactants preserve the skin's natural lipid barrier while cleansing effectively.
References
- Pharmacological Effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata): A Comprehensive Review — Journal of Ethnopharmacology / PMC (2022)
Dermatologist Perspective
Dermatologists often recommend low-concentration BHA cleansers for oily, acne-prone skin needing gentle daily exfoliation without the irritation of leave-on BHA treatments. Board-certified dermatologists note the amino acid surfactant base minimizes barrier disruption during cleansing. In dermatological practice, the dual-BHA approach with LHA provides gentler, more sustained exfoliation. Dermatologists advise patients to use this once daily (preferably PM) and follow with a hydrating routine, as even gentle BHA cleansers can cause dryness with twice-daily use. Because this cleanser contains salicylic acid, avoid use during pregnancy.
Where it fits in your routine.
Use this as the second step of evening double cleansing (after oil cleanser or micellar water). Lather a pea-to-dime-sized amount on damp hands and apply to the face in gentle circular motions. Focus on the T-zone and pore-prone areas. Let the BHA work for 30-60 seconds, then rinse with lukewarm water. Follow with hydrating toner and moisturizer. Use once daily in the evening. Use a gentler non-BHA cleanser in the morning.
At $20 for 150 mL, this BHA-active foam cleanser with amino acid surfactants and seven-type hyaluronic acid offers good value. One small amount per wash lasts three to four months. This makes the per-wash cost $0.15-0.20, which matches drugstore cleansers but uses a more sophisticated formulation. The dual-BHA system and heartleaf base justify the modest premium over basic foam cleansers.
Oily and combination skin types with blackheads, clogged pores, and excess sebum want a daily BHA cleanser that protects the barrier. It also works for double cleansing when you want an active second-step cleanser that clears pores over time.
Dry or very sensitive skin, people with fragrance sensitivities, and pregnant or breastfeeding individuals. It is also not ideal for users of leave-on BHA products, because using BHA in both a cleanser and a treatment can over-exfoliate.
Product details.
Light herbal-floral fragrance. This contains added fragrance; it is not fragrance-free like the toner and lotion.
Squeeze tube with a flip-top cap. This standard cleanser packaging allows controlled dispensing. A pea-to-dime-sized amount creates enough foam.
The foam is dense, creamy, and cushion-like. Most skin types feel no stinging or tingling during the brief contact time. Skin feels clean and slightly matte after rinsing, without the squeaky-tight sensation of harsh cleansers. Blackhead-prone areas look smoother after the first few uses. Daily use may cause mild dryness during the first week, but this usually resolves as skin adjusts. ***
3-4 months with nightly use ***
12 months ***
All Year ***
The backstory.
Anua developed this cleanser as the pore-focused counterpart to their soothing-focused products, recognizing that their oily-skin audience needed an active cleanser that still aligned with the brand's gentle philosophy. The Quercetinol technology — heartleaf plus isolated quercetin — represents Anua's attempt to evolve beyond raw botanical extraction into targeted active delivery.
About Anua
Emerging Brand (2–5 years)The Founders, a Korean brand incubator, founded Anua in 2019. The brand grew fast globally via viral K-beauty channels. Anua formulations focus on Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf), a traditional East Asian botanical with emerging clinical evidence, though independent validation of Anua's specific products is limited.
Common myths.
BHA in a cleanser fails because it rinses off too fast.
BHA in cleansers provides meaningful pore-clearing activity at appropriate concentrations, even with brief contact time compared to leave-on BHA treatments. The oil-soluble salicylic acid penetrates pore linings during the 30-60 second lather time, and daily use builds the effect.
Foam cleansers are always stripping and bad for your skin.
Surfactants cause stripping, not foam. This cleanser uses amino acid-based surfactants (sodium cocoyl glycinate and sodium lauroyl glutamate). These are gentler than sulfate-based foaming agents but still produce a satisfying lather.
FAQ.
Is the Anua Quercetinol Cleansing Foam safe during pregnancy?
No — this cleanser contains salicylic acid (BHA), which most people avoid during pregnancy. Even with a low 0.5% concentration and a wash-off format, most dermatologists advise pregnant individuals to use BHA-free alternatives.
Can I use this cleanser every day?
Most oily and combination skin types tolerate daily evening use. If you feel dryness or tightness, use it every other evening instead. Do not use it twice daily; use a gentler cleanser in the morning to prevent BHA over-exfoliation.
What is Quercetinol in the Anua cleanser?
Quercetinol is Anua's name for their blend of Houttuynia cordata (heartleaf) extract and isolated quercetin, a potent antioxidant flavonoid found naturally in the heartleaf plant. The core ingredient is the same, but they also isolate and concentrate the most active compound.
Can I use this cleanser with a leave-on BHA product?
Combining BHA in both a cleanser and a leave-on treatment often causes over-exfoliation and skin irritation. If you use this cleanser, skip other BHA products or use them on different days.
Does this cleanser contain fragrance?
Yes — unlike Anua's soothing toner and lotion, this cleanser contains added fragrance. Since it's a wash-off product with brief skin contact, the fragrance risk is lower than in leave-on products, but fragrance-sensitive individuals should be aware.
How does the Anua foam cleanser compare to their cleansing oil?
The cleansing oil is an oil-based first cleanser that removes makeup and sunscreen without exfoliation. This foam cleanser is a water-based second cleanser containing BHA to clear pores. They have different roles and work together in a double-cleansing routine.
What the community says.
"Cleanses thoroughly without stripping or drying"
"Rich, satisfying foam from a small amount of product"
"Noticeably clears blackheads and refines pores with consistent use"
"Gentle BHA provides exfoliation without irritation for most users"
"Skin feels smooth and clean, not tight"
"Contains added fragrance — inconsistent with Anua's clean-skin philosophy"
"BHA may be too active for very sensitive skin"
"Some users experienced mild dryness with daily use"
"Salicylic acid makes it unsuitable during pregnancy"
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