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Anua Heartleaf LHA Moisture Peeling Gel for oily acne-prone skin

Average

  • HighOily Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for oily acne-prone skin; other products fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. 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 moderate exfoliation for your oily skin due to capryloyl salicylic acid and 2-hexanediol, which help smooth texture and manage oiliness. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide hydration, which is supportive but not directly targeted at your primary concerns of acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
  • The formula is highly suitable for oily skin, with capryloyl salicylic acid offering keratolytic action and glycerin providing humectant benefits.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your oily skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
  • Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but before your final moisturizer step.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the product directly onto clean, dry skin for the best results against breakouts.
  • Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use a daily SPF since exfoliating makes skin more sensitive to the sun.

People Say

★4.6Overall rating based on 400+ reviews

Users with sensitive and acne-prone skin frequently praise this peeling gel for its extremely gentle, non-irritating exfoliation that effectively removes dead skin cells and smooths texture without stripping moisture. While the majority report a "glass skin" finish and improved makeup application, a minority find the LHA formula too mild to address stubborn congestion or rough patches compared to stronger acids.

Highlights

  • Gentle & Non-Irritating Mostly Mentioned
    • “zero irritation even on sensitive skin”
    • “doesn't sting or burn”
    • “gentlest exfoliator I've used”
    • “great for daily use”
  • Smooths Skin Texture Mostly Mentioned
    • “skin feels like a baby's”
    • “removed all my dry flakes”
    • “makeup sits perfectly after”
    • “smooth glass skin finish”
  • Hydrating Finish Often Mentioned
    • “no tight feeling after rinsing”
    • “feels hydrating while peeling”
    • “leaves a moisture film”
    • “skin feels supple”
  • Pore & Blackhead Care Sometimes Noted
    • “helped with nose blackheads”
    • “pores look cleaner”
    • “cleared up sebaceous filaments”
    • “good for clogged pores”
  • Too gentle / Ineffective Sometimes Noted
    • “didn't notice a difference”
    • “too mild for my rough skin”
    • “wanted a deeper scrub”
    • “felt like it did nothing”
  • Breakouts Rarely Noted
    • “caused tiny white bumps”
    • “broke me out in T-zone”
    • “triggered fungal acne”
    • “clogged my pores”
  • Scent Rarely Noted
    • “smells like medicine”
    • “weird herbal scent”
    • “scent is a bit strong”
    • “didn't like the fragrance”
  • Texture & Pilling Confusion Rarely Noted
    • “clumps got stuck in peach fuzz”
    • “hard to wash off residue”
    • “weird chunky texture”
    • “messy to use”

Sources: lovi.care, stylekorean.com, yesstyle.com, oliveyoung.com, iherb.com, stylevana.com, and more

Questions and answers

How well does ANUA Heartleaf LHA Moisture Peeling Gel work for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant treatment offers moderate suitability for oily acne-prone skin, as it helps smooth texture and manage oiliness with capryloyl salicylic acid while providing supportive hydration, though it is not directly targeted at acne and breakouts. To truly excel for this skin type, a product of this kind needs targeted acne-fighting ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, benzoyl peroxide, or Vitamin C to address blemishes directly while keeping the skin comfortable and balanced.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?

Capryloyl salicylic acid and 2-hexanediol help smooth texture and manage oiliness on your oily skin, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide hydration. To fit this skin type even better, an exfoliant treatment of this type needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and propolis or benzoyl peroxide to directly target acne, blemishes, and breakouts.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

What does Capryloyl Salicylic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?

Capryloyl Salicylic Acid helps clear breakouts and manage extra oil by gently shedding dead skin and smoothing the surface. It is unlikely to cause irritation when used as directed, and may improve skin texture and tone over time.

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

What does Houttuynia Cordata Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?

Houttuynia cordata extract helps calm oily, acne-prone skin by reducing redness, swelling, and irritation while fighting the bacteria that cause breakouts. It also protects skin cells from daily sun and environmental damage that can make marks left by acne worse.

Antioxidants, 2022Heliyon, 2024

Where does it go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant treatment goes into your evening routine, starting at once a week and very carefully increasing only if your skin handles it well. To truly target your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, this skin type needs a product with ingredients specifically focused on clearing pores and calming active breakouts.

Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?

You should use this exfoliant on a separate night from your retinol to avoid irritation. Alternating these treatments helps keep your oily skin smooth while preventing dryness and sensitivity.

How often should I use it?

Start by using this exfoliant treatment once a week, and if your skin feels fine and you like the results, you can carefully use it more often. An exfoliant for oily acne-prone skin needs ingredients like salicylic acid or other chemical exfoliants to clear pores and manage breakouts, along with soothing plant extracts to keep the skin calm.

Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?

This exfoliant is unlikely to cause breakouts, clogged pores or irritation for your oily skin because it has a very safe formula without harsh ingredients, though an acne-prone skin type needs ingredients that directly target pimples and blemishes, such as targeted acne-fighting acids and soothing botanical extracts.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?

Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.

What the research says

  • A 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, 2017
  • Daily treatment with a facial serum containing multiple acids reduced post-inflammatory hyperchromia lesion grade and number by 29.4% at 56 days, and decreased skin oiliness by 30.7% at 7 days in Brazilian patients with acne vulgaris.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
  • Capryloyl salicylic acid peel reduced fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation comparably to glycolic acid peel in 44 female volunteers, with no statistically significant differences between the two treatments.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
  • Combining a salicylic acid and lipohydroxy acid facial serum and mask improved closed comedones and acne severity significantly more than serum alone in adults with acne over 8 weeks, with no adverse reactions reported.

    Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
  • Parity was demonstrated between an OTC BPO 5.5% formulation with lipohydroxy acid and tretinoin cream 0.025% versus prescription clindamycin 1%-BPO 5% gel and tretinoin cream 0.025% in participants with mild to moderate acne vulgaris at 12 weeks.

    Cutis, 2012
  • Quercetin 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, 2016
  • Quercetin-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, 2019
  • Optimized 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, 2023
  • Aloe vera and Aloe marlothii hydrate skin after single application while Aloe ferox dehydrates it, all aloe materials dehydrate skin after multiple applications, and Aloe vera and Aloe ferox reduce erythema similarly to hydrocortisone gel in healthy female volunteers.

    Pharmacognosy Magazine, 2014
  • Aloesin treatment suppressed UV-induced skin pigmentation by 34%, arbutin by 43.5%, and their cotreatment by 63.3% compared to the vehicle control in human subjects.

    Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 2002
  • Finasteride-oregano oil nanocubosomes loaded into aloe ferox gel enhanced drug release and ex vivo skin permeation compared to finasteride aqueous suspension and pure finasteride gel.

    Drug Delivery, 2022
  • Topical application of a plant body oil blend for 8 weeks reduced the Observer Scar Assessment Scale score by approximately 5% and the Patient Scar Assessment Scale score by approximately 20% in volunteers with non-hypertrophic scars or striae compared to an untreated control region.

    International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018
  • Plant extracts from Gomphrena globasa L., Clitoria ternatea L., Carthamus tinctorius L., Punica granatum L., and Papaver rhoeas L. demonstrated no cytotoxicity, high antioxidant potential, strong collagenase inhibition, moderate elastase inhibition, effective skin hydration, and varying suitability as stable cosmetic dyes when tested on keratinocyte and fibroblast cell lines and incorporated into face cream formulations.

    Molecules, 2021
  • Water extracts of Papaver rhoeas L., Punica granatum L., Clitoria ternatea L., Carthamus tinctorius L., and Gomphrena globosa L. showed no cytotoxicity on skin cells while exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and enzyme-inhibiting properties, with P. rhoeas, C. ternatea, and C. tinctorius demonstrating strong permanent coloring ability in cosmetic products.

    Molecules, 2022
  • Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.

    Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
  • Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.

    Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022
  • Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.

    BMC Oral Health, 2019

Why other products fit oily acne-prone skin better

  • Adapalene 0.1%-benzoyl peroxide 2.5% fixed-dose combination gel provided significantly greater, synergistic efficacy and a faster onset of action compared with the vehicle, adapalene monotherapy, and benzoyl peroxide monotherapy in patients with acne vulgaris.

    The British Journal of Dermatology, 2009
  • Topical benzoyl peroxide 5% gel treatment improved acne severity, sebum, stratum corneum hydration, and transepidermal water loss, while significantly reducing microbial diversity and the prevalence of Cutibacterium in 33 patients with acne vulgaris.

    Dermatologic Therapy, 2022
  • A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.

    Clinical Pharmacology, 2018

Ingredients

Water, Dipropylene Glycol, Cellulose, 2-Hexanedio, Arginine, Acrylates C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Propanediol, Allantoin, Carthamus Tinctorius Flower Extract, Dextrin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Disodium Edta, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Glycerin, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Aloe Ferox Leaf Extract, Bioflavonoids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Caprylyl Glycol, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin

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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Prices checked 5 Nov 2026

How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.