Anua Heartleaf Succinic Moisture Cleansing Foam for sensitive skin
Succinic Acid
Salicylic Acid
Glycerin
Ceramide Np
High
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for sensitive skin; a few cleansers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with sensitive skin: redness, stinging, and reactions to new products. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your normal skin, this cleanser effectively decongests pores with salicylic acid and succinic acid, while Houttuynia Cordata Extract and Panthenol offer soothing benefits to address your redness and irritation.
- The formulation's mild exfoliation and barrier support from ceramides further enhance its compatibility with your skin type.
- Its safety profile is excellent, with no risk of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of calming components.
How to apply
- Use your cleanser in the AM and PM routines every day. Start using it daily since your sensitive skin needs gentle care.
- Apply this first in your morning and evening skincare routine before toner and moisturizer. This clears away dirt without upsetting your skin.
- Gently massage a small amount onto your face using soft circles. Avoid any rough rubbing to keep redness away.
- Apply the cleanser on slightly damp skin to help it wash away impurities softly. Clean skin feels fresh and comfortable afterwards.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes and do a quick patch test before first use. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 200+ reviewsThis gel-type cleanser is widely praised by users with sensitive and acne-prone skin for its ability to gently exfoliate and reduce texture without damaging the moisture barrier. While most users report a soothing, non-stripping finish, a minority experience dryness or purging breakouts, particularly those with very dry skin or sensitivity to the active acids.
Highlights
Gentle and non-stripping Often Mentioned
- “skin feels squeaky clean but never too dry”
- “leaves my face very clean... non stripping”
- “adjusts to my sensitive skin”
- “gentle cleansing properties”
Can be drying Sometimes Noted
- “not as moisturizing for my very dry skin”
- “left it dry... especially for those with sensitive oily skin”
- “extremely stripping... definitely not for dry skin”
- “become dry and strip off layers”
Improves skin texture/acne Sometimes Noted
- “reduce textures... really good for oily acne prone skin”
- “didn't feel as much texture... wasn't breaking out as often”
- “helped my skin especially after all the small breakouts”
- “pores being nonexistent”
Rich, dense lather Sometimes Noted
- “lathers nicely... beautiful foam”
- “creates dense, rich foam”
- “viscous transparent gel that can be easily lathered”
- “cloudy and creamy kind of texture”
Soothing and calming Sometimes Noted
- “skin never felt less congested”
- “helps soothe sensitive skin”
- “calm inflamed or irritated skin”
Caused breakouts/purging Rarely Noted
- “gave me tiny white bumps all over”
- “chin and lower left cheek are FREAKING OUT”
- “destroyed my skin... irritated, red, bumpy”
- “doesn't get rid of my acne and makes it more irritated”
Eye irritation/Bad taste Rarely Noted
- “get in your eyes and make them sting”
- “can literally taste it without even trying”
- “sting your eyes”
Ineffective for deep cleaning Rarely Noted
- “doesn't remove sebum like in the ads”
- “mild is non existent... BHA definitely is better”
- “not sure if it does anything for my skin”
Sources: lovi.care, oliveyoung.com, stylekorean.com, skinsort.com, yesstyle.com, reddit.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes ANUA Heartleaf Succinic Moisture Cleansing Foam a great fit for sensitive skin?
ANUA Heartleaf Succinic Moisture Cleansing Foam is a great fit for sensitive skin because it gently decongests pores with salicylic acid and succinic acid while soothing redness and irritation with Houttuynia Cordata Extract and panthenol. Its mild exfoliation and barrier support from ceramides make it very safe and compatible with your skin type.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin because it features soothing ingredients like Houttuynia Cordata Extract and panthenol to calm redness, alongside mild exfoliating acids and ceramides that support the skin barrier without causing irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022
What does Succinic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Succinic acid is generally gentle enough for sensitive skin, helping to keep it clear and balanced without causing irritation. It works by gently clearing pores and soothing redness so your face stays calm and smooth.
What does Salicylic Acid do for sensitive skin?
Salicylic acid may cause irritation on sensitive skin, so it requires careful use and good sun protection to keep skin comfortable. A product for this skin type needs gentle, soothing ingredients and a mild formula that respects the skin barrier.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 1999International Journal of Toxicology, 2003
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for sensitive skin?
This cleanser goes in both your morning and evening routines, and in your weekly routine as well. It gently washes the skin while helping calm redness and irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in your routine, but apply your retinol afterward as part of your evening treatment step. Because this cleanser gently clears pores while soothing ingredients like panthenol calm your skin, it is unlikely to cause irritation when paired thoughtfully.
How often should I use this cleanser?
You can use this cleanser twice a day in your morning and evening routines as it is a great fit for sensitive skin. Its calming ingredients and lack of harsh components make it very unlikely to cause irritation while gently clearing pores.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for sensitive skin?
This cleanser is a great fit for sensitive skin and is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging. It effectively clears out pores with salicylic acid and succinic acid while using soothing ingredients and ceramides to keep your skin calm and protected.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002International Journal of Dermatology, 2008
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser is a great fit because it gently clears pores and soothes irritation with plant extracts and panthenol. Because the skin around the eyes is exceptionally thin, cleansers used there need to rely on very gentle, non-irritating components to avoid any discomfort.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2002American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2008A lipid mixture enriched by ceramide NP with fatty acids of diverse chain lengths significantly improved skin barrier recovery rate, stratum corneum integrity, and hydration compared to a vehicle cream in healthy adult male volunteers with corticosteroid-impaired skin.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2022Treatment with a facial cream gel containing a biotechnological phytocomplex, niacinamide, and succinic acid increased skin microbial diversity and reduced C. acnes abundance, lesion counts, sebum, and acne severity in 44 subjects with mild-moderate acne over 56 days.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024Treatment with a lotion containing a phytocomplex, niacinamide, and succinic acid increased skin microbial alpha diversity, reduced Cutibacterium acnes relative abundance, and improved acne severity and clinical symptoms in 43 subjects with truncal mild-moderate acne.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024Treatment with plant-derived exosomes combined with non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and succinic acid improved facial hyperpigmentation in two patients.
Cureus, 2026Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen achieved a higher cure rate (39%) than salicylic acid (24%) and a wait-and-see approach (16%) for cutaneous warts at 13 weeks in primary care patients.
CMAJ, 2010A moisturizer containing licochalcone A, 1,2-decanediol, L-carnitine, and salicylic acid significantly reduced noninflammatory, inflammatory, and total acne lesion counts compared to a vehicle control in Thai patients during a 12-week maintenance phase.
BioMed Research International, 2020Treatment with 2% supramolecular salicylic acid hydrogel resulted in a regression and markedly improvement rate of 51.01% compared to 43.10% for Adapaline gel in patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris, showing no significant difference in efficacy.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017The emollient V0034CR significantly reduced TEWL compared to vehicle and vehicle plus glycerol, and significantly increased corneometry scores compared to vehicle and vehicle plus petrolatum in healthy volunteers with dry skin, demonstrating combined barrier function improvement from petrolatum and hydration improvement from glycerol.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ten days of treatment with a cream containing 20% glycerin significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometer values in 17 healthy volunteers compared to a placebo cream, but showed no influence on transepidermal water loss or skin sensitivity to an irritating surfactant.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2001
Ingredients
Water, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Cocoyl Alaninate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Disodium 2-Sulfolaurate, Sodium Chloride, Methylpropanediol, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract, Cynanchum Atratum Extract, Althaea Rosea Flower Extract, Chitosan, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Coco-Glucoside, Panthenol, Salicylic Acid, Succinic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Lauryl Hydroxysultaine, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Phytate, Hexylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Protease, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide Np, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Cholesterol
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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