Anua Heartleaf LHA Moisture Peeling Gel for oily skin

Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for oily skin; other products fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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, as capryloyl salicylic acid and 2-hexanediol work to smooth texture and reduce oily shine. Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration, supporting your oily skin concerns.
- The formula is highly suitable for oily skin, with capryloyl salicylic acid and glycerin offering effective keratolytic and humectant actions.
- 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 product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
- Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 400+ reviewsUsers 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 skin?
This exfoliant treatment offers a moderate fit for your oily skin, as capryloyl salicylic acid helps smooth texture and reduce oily shine. To work best for oily skin, a product of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide to control sebum, along with soothing extracts and lightweight hydrators to manage excess oil and keep the skin comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
Capryloyl salicylic acid and 2-hexanediol help smooth texture and reduce oily shine, while glycerin and sodium hyaluronate provide essential hydration. For an even better fit on oily skin, products of this type need ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA to control sebum and reduce pores.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
What does Capryloyl Salicylic Acid do for oily skin?
Capryloyl salicylic acid helps clear pores and control oily skin by gently renewing the outer skin layer. It is unlikely to cause irritation and works well to keep your skin smooth and balanced.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
What does Houttuynia Cordata Extract do for oily skin?
Houttuynia cordata extract helps calm oily skin by fighting inflammation and reducing the bacteria that often lead to breakouts. It also protects your skin from daily stress and damage, making it a great addition to your routine to keep things clear and balanced.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes into the evening routine, and starts at once a week to see how your skin reacts. Oily skin often benefits most from products that combine gentle acids with soothing plant extracts and lightweight hydrators like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to manage texture and shine without irritation.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this treatment with retinol by applying the treatment first and following with your retinol on separate nights or with caution, as using too many strong products may cause irritation. Oily skin often benefits from combining gentle smoothing acids with ingredients like glycerin and sodium hyaluronate to keep skin hydrated without excess shine.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant once a week, and if your oily skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. This product is unlikely to cause irritation because it lacks harsh ingredients, helping smooth texture and reduce oily shine safely.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This exfoliant treatment is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has an excellent safety profile without harsh ingredients. Reviewers only occasionally report minor breakouts, and it helps smooth texture and reduce oily shine without irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2008
Is this exfoliant 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, 2017Daily 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, 2021Capryloyl 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, 2008Combining 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, 2023Parity 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, 2012Daily use of a deep cleansing gel containing salicylic acid 2%, zinc gluconate 0.2% and lipohydroxy acid 0.05% significantly reduced total lesion count by 56.3% after 84 days in 35 subjects with mild to moderate truncal acne.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023Quercetin 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, 2023Aloe 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, 2014Aloesin 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, 2002Finasteride-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, 2022Topical 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, 2018Plant 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, 2021Water 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, 2022Topical 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, 2011Topical 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, 2022Treatment 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
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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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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