Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil for acne-prone skin
Heartleaf Extract
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Sunflower Seed Oil
Jojoba Seed Oil
Grape Seed OilLow
- LowCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A weak match for acne-prone skin; the pre-cleansers alongside fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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
- Offers excellent makeup removal for your combination skin due to Ethylhexyl Palmitate and Caprylic Capric Triglyceride effectively dissolving impurities, but Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil may overwhelm oily areas.
- While the formula provides general cleansing benefits, it lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The safety profile is good, with no risks of irritation for your combination skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this makeup remover PM as the first step of your evening routine to clear away dirt and oil. Start 3x/week and work up to daily use if your combination skin tolerates it well.
- Apply this makeup remover before cleansing and using the rest of your skin products. This ensures all makeup and impurities are fully washed away.
- Gently press a small amount of the makeup remover onto your face using a soft cotton pad. Avoid rubbing the skin too harshly to prevent irritation.
- Apply the makeup remover on dry skin to easily dissolve makeup and clear out blemishes. There is no need to dampen your face beforehand.
- Do a patch test before first use to ensure your skin reacts well. Avoid the delicate eye area while applying.
People Say
★4.5Overall rating based on 20.0k+ reviewsThis lightweight cleansing oil is widely praised for its ability to dissolve sebaceous filaments and remove heavy makeup without stripping moisture, often resulting in "glass skin" for satisfied users. Based on a very large amount of data, this should be definitely taken into account. It is a polarizing product; while many find it gentle, a significant minority of users with acne-prone or sensitive skin report severe breakouts and cystic acne, likely due to the fragrance or specific oil ingredients.
Highlights
Effective pore cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “Dissolved my sebaceous filaments immediately”
- “Blackheads on nose are gone”
- “Great for oil gritting method”
Lightweight texture Often Mentioned
- “Feels like water, not heavy oil”
- “Emulsifies instantly”
- “Rinses off completely clean”
Makeup removal Often Mentioned
- “Melted my waterproof mascara”
- “Removes all layers of SPF”
- “No raccoon eyes left behind”
Non-stripping finish Sometimes Noted
- “Skin feels moist afterwards”
- “No tight feeling”
- “Leaves face soft and glowy”
Severe breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “Wrecked my skin barrier”
- “Gave me deep cystic acne”
- “Caused tiny whiteheads all over”
Eye irritation Rarely Noted
- “Made my vision blurry for an hour”
- “Stings my eyes bad”
- “Cloudy eyes after rinsing”
Fragrance irritation Rarely Noted
- “Smell is too strong”
- “Irritated my sensitive skin”
- “Fragrance caused redness”
Pore clogging Rarely Noted
- “Congested my skin worse”
- “Caused closed comedones”
- “Felt like it sat in my pores”
Sources: lovi.care, iherb.com, oliveyoung.com, yesstyle.com, reddit.com, ulta.com, and more
Questions and answers
Why is ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil a weak match for acne-prone skin?
ANUA Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil is a weak match for acne-prone skin because certain plant oils may overwhelm oily areas, and the formula lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target breakouts. Acne-prone skin needs a makeup remover formulated with nourishing oils and extracts that provide soothing properties and clear blemishes without irritation, while maintaining the health of the skin.
Which ingredients make this cleanser a poor fit for acne-prone skin?
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil and Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil make this cleanser a weak match because they may overwhelm oily areas and potentially exacerbate breakouts. A makeup remover for acne-prone skin needs soothing plant extracts and lightweight hydrators like hyaluronic acid to calm blemishes without clogging pores.
What does Heartleaf Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Heartleaf Extract helps calm acne-prone skin by reducing redness, swelling, and breakouts. Studies show it helps lower inflammation and target acne-causing bacteria without irritating the skin.
Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 2016The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2021
What does Turmeric Root Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Turmeric Root Extract helps calm redness and lower swelling in acne-prone skin because of its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This ingredient may improve overall skin condition, though an acne routine for this skin type also needs ingredients that clear pores and control excess oil.
Phytotherapy Research, 2016Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This makeup remover goes in the evening routine before your cleanser, or as a weekly first step before cleansing. A product of this type for acne-prone skin needs lightweight oils that do not feel heavy, along with soothing ingredients to help calm blemishes.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this makeup remover in your evening routine before your cleanser, but it is a weak match for your acne-prone skin because it lacks specialized blemish-fighting ingredients and contains oils that may overwhelm oily areas. An acne-prone skin product of this type needs lightweight, non-pore-clogging ingredients and targeted blemish-fighting components to properly support breakouts.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This makeup remover can be used in your evening routine as a first step to take off makeup. However, it is a weak match for acne-prone skin, which needs ingredients that target blemishes and lightweight oils that do not overwhelm oily areas.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This cleansing oil may overwhelm acne-prone skin and lead to clogged pores or breakouts, because certain oils in the formula can be too heavy for this skin type. A product for acne-prone skin needs lightweight ingredients that dissolve impurities without clogging pores, such as salicylic acid or niacinamide.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
Topical application of a water-in-oil emulsion containing 2% Muscat hamburg grape seed extract significantly improved melanin, elasticity, and sebum content compared to a placebo in human volunteers over 8 weeks, with no reported skin hypersensitivity.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2015Clay jojoba oil facial masks reduced total skin lesions by a mean of 54% after 6 weeks in 133 participants with acne-prone, lesioned skin and mild acne compared to baseline.
Forschende Komplementarmedizin, 2012Quercetin phospholipids 1% cream significantly reduced UV-, histamine-, and chemical-induced skin erythema (-10.05%) and mean wheal diameter in 30 healthy human volunteers, showing comparable efficacy to 1% dexchlorpheniramine cream.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2016Quercetin-loaded niosomes formulated with Span60-RH40 at a 9:11 mass ratio improved quercetin solubility, photostability, sustained release, and transdermal penetration, yielding a skin retention 2.95 times higher than quercetin solution.
Molecules, 2019Optimized rutin-loaded glycerosomes formulated into a nanosunscreen gel demonstrated sustained drug release, greater skin permeation, good antioxidant activity, and better epidermal retention compared to the dermis, indicating high safety, stability, and sun protection factor values for topical administration.
Gels, 2023Topical application of curcumin or turmeric treats various skin conditions by leveraging antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2023Topical formulations of curcumin target oxidative damage and inflammation to improve wound healing in animal models.
Drug Discovery Today, 2017A curcumin-loaded spanlastic anti-aging gel utilizing formula F5 incorporated into 2% HPMC E50 demonstrated sustained release action, compatibility, and the ability to penetrate skin layers to a depth of about 112.5 um without signs of irritation.
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2024Topical application of jojoba wax reduced LPS-induced secretion of IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα by approximately 30% and increased the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid compared to untreated skin in an ex-vivo human skin organ culture model.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2024Topical jojoba oil application in male mice decreased exercise-induced pro-inflammatory gene expression (Il-1b and Il-6 in soleus, Il-1b in gastrocnemius) compared to untreated exercised mice.
Biomolecules, 2025Nanolipidgel formulations with argan or jojoba oil and humectants demonstrate good sensory attributes, instrumental properties, and moisturizing efficacy for cosmetic application.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2014Grapeseed oil-loaded dermocosmetic nanoemulgel applied on the cheeks of healthy volunteers significantly reduced skin melanin, erythema, sebum production, and pores while increasing moisture and elasticity compared to a placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical treatment with cranberry oil and grape oil improved wound healing in rats, with cranberry oil showing an 88.1% wound area reduction and grape oil showing 84.6% compared to 74.1% in controls and 78.4% in the mupirocin standard group on day 13.
Phytotherapy Research, 2011An ionic liquid-based grapeseed oil emulsion increased transdermal penetration by 4.63-fold and improved skin hydration, firmness, elasticity, and facial wrinkles after 28 days of continuous use compared to ordinary emulsion.
Pharmaceuticals, 2024
Why other pre-cleansers fit acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sorbeth-30 Tetraoleate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Butyl Avocadate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil Sunflower Seed Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Jojoba Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape Seed Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Curcuma Longa 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
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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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
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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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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