Anua Heartleaf + BHA Pore Deep Cleansing Foam for skin with dark spots
Heartleaf
Bha Beta Hydroxy Acid
Quercetin
Centella Asiatica ExtractAverage
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for skin with dark spots; other cleansers fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dark spots: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and uneven skin tone. 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 and pore cleansing for your normal skin, as salicylic acid and houttuynia cordata extract work to decongest pores. Multiple hyaluronic acid derivatives provide humectant action, supporting skin hydration.
- While beneficial for general cleansing and hydration, the formula lacks specialized ingredients to effectively target your main goal of pigmentation.
- The product is safe for your normal skin, featuring soothing extracts like Houttuynia Cordata and Centella Asiatica, and contains no harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- You can use this cleanser AM and PM every single day. Start slowly 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply this cleanser as the first step in your morning routine or the second step in your evening routine. Follow it with toner and moisturizer.
- Massage a small amount of cleanser gently onto your face using circular motions. Rinse well with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- For the best results, apply your cleanser directly to wet skin to help wash away dirt. Make sure your face is clean before you begin.
- Avoid getting the cleanser in your eyes. Always do a quick patch test before using the product for the very first time.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 20.0k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this cleanser is highly effective for oily and acne-prone skin, with users frequently noting its ability to deeply cleanse pores and reduce sebaceous filaments. Many also appreciate its texture-improving qualities and rich lather. Some users with dry or sensitive skin report it can be drying or irritating, and a moderate number experienced breakouts or purging upon initial use.
Highlights
Deep pore cleansing Mostly Mentioned
- “eliminated the blackheads on my nose”
- “removes sebum within my pores”
- “feel squeaky clean”
- “gently clear deep within the pores”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “skin feels smooth and fresh”
- “made the red bumps go away”
- “leaves my skin super soft”
- “helped with texture and hyperpigmentation”
Rich foaming lather Often Mentioned
- “lathers pretty much well”
- “dense and creamy consistency”
- “creates soft and rich bubbles”
- “little goes a long way”
Calms acne/redness Sometimes Noted
- “helped clear the acne on my chin”
- “redness subsided after using it”
- “soothing effect on my skin”
- “pimples are slowly going away”
Causes breakouts Sometimes Noted
- “broke me out like crazy”
- “gave me tiny white bumps”
- “chin and cheek are freaking out”
- “awful purging until November”
Drying and stripping Sometimes Noted
- “leaves my skin a bit dry”
- “made my skin feel tight”
- “caused peeling around the nose”
- “too drying for twice a day”
Irritating to sensitive skin Rarely Noted
- “stung my eyes”
- “made it so irritated i cried”
- “burning sensation on sensitive areas”
- “reaction was bad”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “smelled like cardboard”
- “herbal scent with spicy undertone”
- “scent is a bit strong”
Sources: lovi.care, yesstyle.com, oliveyoung.com, ulta.com, reddit.com, stylevana.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does anua Heartleaf + BHA Pore Deep Cleansing Foam work for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser works moderately well for your skin, though other products fit it better because it helps clear pores but lacks specialized ingredients to fade dark spots. A cleanser for this skin needs high-quality ingredients like niacinamide and ceramides to effectively target pigmentation, alongside gentle cleansing properties and barrier-repairing components.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Which ingredients make this cleanser a good fit for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser is a fair fit because Salicylic Acid helps clear out pores while Centella Asiatica Extract and Heartleaf calm the skin. However, to truly fade dark spots, this type of product needs specialized brightening ingredients like niacinamide and barrier-supporting ceramides.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
What does Heartleaf do for skin with dark spots?
Heartleaf helps calm redness and protects skin from daily stress that can lead to dark spots. It is rich in antioxidants and helps soothe irritated skin while supporting an even tone.
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 2023Phytomedicine, 2024
What does Bha do for skin with dark spots?
BHA helps improve dark spots left behind by breakouts and keeps skin smooth and clear. It removes dead surface skin cells and works well on different skin tones, though mild irritation may occasionally happen.
Where does this cleanser go in a skincare routine for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser goes as the second step in your evening routine and the first step in your morning routine, as cleansers start your skincare steps. Because it lacks specialized ingredients for pigmentation, skin with dark spots needs cleansers containing brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to better fade dark spots.
Can I use this cleanser with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this cleanser in the same routine as retinol by applying it first to cleanse your skin before putting on your retinol treatment. Because cleansers with exfoliating acids like salicylic acid may sometimes dry out or irritate the skin when paired with strong treatments like retinol, it is best to watch how your skin feels and reduce use if it feels sensitive.
How often should I use this cleanser?
This cleanser can be used daily as part of your morning and evening routine, while exfoliating steps generally start once a week and can be increased gradually if your skin tolerates them well. Because this formula lacks specialized ingredients to target dark spots, this skin needs dedicated brightening ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide to effectively fade discoloration.
Can this cleanser clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for skin with dark spots?
This cleanser may occasionally cause breakouts for some users, as reviewers moderately report this effect. However, it helps decongest pores with salicylic acid, though skin with dark spots generally needs targeted brightening ingredients and gentle exfoliants to safely fade discoloration.
BioMed Research International, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Can I use this cleanser around the eyes or on my body?
This cleanser may be used on the body, but avoid the delicate skin around the eyes where skin is much thinner. A product of this type needs extra soothing and hydrating ingredients to safely care for thinner areas.
Is this cleanser fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A 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, 2020Twice daily application of a multitargeted dermocosmetic cream provided comparable efficacy to benzoyl peroxide 5% gel in reducing inflammatory, non-inflammatory, and total lesions in 150 Caucasian subjects with mild-to-moderate acne over 56 days, while demonstrating superior skin tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The use of a salicylic acid-based dermocosmetic significantly reduces the needed quantity of benzoyl peroxide without impacting efficacy in mild to moderate acne, and as maintenance post-benzoyl peroxide allows a significant reduction of acne relapse compared to vehicle.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2023Cosmetic formulations containing 5% Centella asiatica extract showed the best efficacy in improving skin moisture and decreasing transepidermal water loss, while also exhibiting antiinflammatory properties in 25 volunteers compared to baseline measurements.
Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016Co-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, 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, 2023Cryotherapy 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, 2010Treatment 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, 2024Topical 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid achieved the greatest lesion reduction at early 2 to 4 week time points compared to benzoyl peroxide, clindamycin, and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin, while 5% benzoyl peroxide plus salicylic acid and combination benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin showed similar efficacy at 10 to 12 weeks in acne patients.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2010Quercetin directly targeted JAK2 and PKCδ, suppressed UV-induced MMP-1 and COX-2 expression, and prevented collagen degradation in human skin tissues compared to untreated UV-exposed skin.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019Topical treatment with quercetin-3-O-glycosides, particularly isoquercitrin, reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression, skin lesions, and epidermal hyperplasia in an AD mouse model.
Inflammation, 2025Topical administration of liposomes co-loaded with quercetin and resveratrol reduced tissue damage, oedema, and leukocyte infiltration in a mouse model of skin lesion.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2016Topical application of 0.05% w/w ECa 233 gel reduced erythema index by 0.03 U and improved early crusting and general wound appearance compared to placebo in thirty individuals undergoing facial laser resurfacing.
Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2020A 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, 2017Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019
Why other cleansers fit skin with dark spots better
Niacinamide significantly decreased hyperpigmentation and increased skin lightness compared with vehicle alone after 4 weeks of use in women by inhibiting melanosome transfer.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2002
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, C12-14 Pareth-12, Octyldodeceth-16, Melaleuca Alternifolia Extract Tree, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Quercetin, Pentylene Glycol, Willow Bark Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ficus Carica Fruit Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Disodium Edta, Tocopherol, Ceramide Np, Butylene Glycol, Dimethylsilanol Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Potassium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Dimethylsilanol, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, 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.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.