Anua HEARTLEAF QUERCETINOL PORE DEEP CLEANSING FOAM 25ML

100% Genuine* | FA-Conditional | Fragrance Present | Halal-Friendly* | Vegan-Friendly*

*See the Sourcing and Authenticity, Allergens, and Conscious Formulation sections below for what each of these actually means and how it was checked.

If you've ever felt like your face gets oily again within a few hours of washing it in Mauritius's heat and humidity, that's usually not "dirty" skin — it's sebum responding to over-cleansing, and this product is built to interrupt that cycle rather than accelerate it.

Pros: real, brand-stated BHA at a rinse-off-appropriate dose; low pH for a foaming cleanser; named "Anti-Sebum P" botanical complex; a genuine mini format if you want to trial the formula before committing to the 150ml.

Caveats: contains an undisclosed synthetic Fragrance; two Fungal-Acne-conditional emulsifiers (Glyceryl Stearate SE, Lecithin) are present, though rinse-off contact time meaningfully lowers real-world FA risk; this exact 25ml listing shows zero inventory at the time of writing (see the Mindful Alternatives section for the in-stock full-size).

In Mauritius heat, sebum and sweat sitting on the surface by midday is your skin doing its job, not "getting dirty" — over-washing (more than twice daily) strips the acid mantle (its healthy target pH is 4.5-5.5) and triggers compensatory sebum overproduction, the exact oiliness you're trying to fix.

This formula breaks that cycle two ways: its own pH sits close to skin-neutral (~5-6, brand/retailer-stated) rather than the alkaline 9-10 of a bar soap or harsh foaming gel, and its surfactant base (Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Coco-Glucoside) is amino-acid-derived rather than sulfate-based, so it lifts sebum without fully stripping the lipid layer underneath it.

Classification: YELLOW (14+ with guidance). This is not a bare hydrator — it carries a real, if low-dose, exfoliating acid (Salicylic Acid ~0.5%) that prepubescent skin's sebaceous glands aren't yet producing enough oil to need managing.

The packaging itself is not youth-marketed (no cartoon branding, no candy-adjacent scent framing), so this isn't the "clinical actives hiding in kid-friendly packaging" trap — it's simply a mild BHA cleanser better suited to skin that's actually dealing with excess sebum and clogged pores, typically from mid-teens onward.

Step 1 (When): AM and/or PM, as your only or first cleanse.

Step 2 (How much): A 1-2cm ribbon, worked into foam with a small amount of water — palms or a foaming net both work.

Step 3 (How): Massage over damp skin for roughly 60 seconds, avoiding the eye area, then rinse fully with lukewarm (not hot) water.

Introduce this as the ONLY new product in your routine. Wait a full 14 days before adding anything else. This isolation window ensures you can identify whether any reaction is caused by this specific product.

1. Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam (60 seconds, rinse) → 2. Hydrating toner (optional, 1 layer) → 3. Antioxidant or hydration serum (optional) → 4. Moisturizer → 5. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (non-negotiable).

In Mauritius's humid mornings, a single toner layer is often enough — humectants like glycerin (present in this cleanser's own rinse-off base) pull ambient moisture efficiently, so stacking three toner layers before 9am can just sit on the skin as tackiness rather than absorb.

1. Oil or balm cleanse (if wearing sunscreen/makeup) → 2. Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam (second cleanse, 60 seconds) → 3. Toner → 4. Targeted serum (optional) → 5. Moisturizer.

Because this is a rinse-off, low-dose-BHA cleanser rather than a leave-on exfoliant, it doesn't occupy an active "lane" for skin cycling purposes — it can run every PM alongside a separate leave-on retinoid or AHA/BHA serum without needing to alternate nights.

Technique: Massage, don't scrub — friction plus an exfoliating acid together increases irritation risk more than either alone. The 60-Second Rule applies: give the surfactants enough contact time to actually lift sebum before rinsing, rather than a 5-second splash-and-go.

Required skin state: Damp skin, to help the foam spread evenly and reduce the amount of product needed.

Wait time: None required after rinsing — proceed straight to your next step.

Hands deliver 100% of product. Cotton pads absorb approximately 30-40%. Use hands for this step — a cotton pad is irrelevant for a rinse-off foam anyway.

This is an encyclopedia map of all product types. You do not use all of these daily. You select modules based on your skin state.

Global execution rules: viscosity ladder thinnest to thickest, water-phase before oil-phase, treatments before seals. Wait-time defaults: watery layers 10-20s; serum layers 30-60s; before sunscreen 10-15 min if going outdoors or applying makeup. Amount defaults: watery toner/essence 5-8 drops per layer; serum/ampoule 2-3 drops or 1 pump; eye product ½ rice-grain per eye; gel moisturizer 1-1.5 peas, cream 1-2 peas; occlusive seal rice-grain to pea-size; sunscreen 2-finger rule for face, +1 finger for neck. Hydrators go on slightly damp skin; retinoids on fully dry skin; if the routine pills, stings, or feels heavy, reduce layers, not increase.

AM Maximum Stack: 1. Rinse/Gentle Cleanse (optional — this product fits here) → 2. pH-Prep/Balancing Toner (optional) → 3. Hydrating Toner Layers (1-3, optional) → 4. Essence (optional) → 5. Mist (optional) → 6. Booster/Soothing Serum (optional) → 7. Antioxidant Lane (choose one) → 8. Pigment Support Lane (choose one) → 9. Hydration Serum Lane (optional) → 10. Oil-Control/Sebum-Regulating Lane (choose one) → 11. Peptides/Growth-Factor Lane (optional) → 12. Eye Serum/Cream (optional) → 13. Moisturizer → 14. Optional Sealing Layer → 15. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (non-negotiable) → 16. Lip SPF (optional). In AM, prioritize comfort and SPF adherence over stacking. In high humidity, fewer layers often perform better.

PM Maximum Stack: 1. Micellar (optional pre-cleanse) → 2. Oil Cleanser/Balm (if SPF/makeup) → 3. Water Cleanser (second cleanse — this product fits here) → 4. pH-Prep Toner (optional) → 5. Hydrating Toner Layers (optional) → 6. Essence (optional) → 7. Soothing/Barrier Serum (optional) → 8. Anchor Product (bold placement, if using a separate treatment tonight) → 9. Targeted Serum (optional) → 10. Moisturizer → 11. Sleeping Mask (optional) → 12. Occlusive Seal (optional) → 13. Spot Treatment/Pimple Patch (as needed) → 14. Lip Sleeping Mask (optional). Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep "one lane" per night.

Lane strictness: One-lane rule — Retinoid OR Exfoliation OR Strong Vitamin C (LAA) OR Acne-control active per routine; barrier/hydration can always accompany. If unsure, default to the safest lane (barrier/hydration) and reduce layers.

Rung: First-step foaming cleanser — applied to damp skin at the very start of a routine, then rinsed off entirely before anything else is layered.

Layering rule: This product is fully rinsed away, so it has no interaction with subsequent water-phase or oil-phase steps — it simply resets the skin surface before your first leave-on layer.

Phase compatibility: Water-phase, rinse-off; no residue is left to interact with serums, oils, or silicones applied afterward.

Unlike a leave-on exfoliant, this rinse-off 0.5% BHA cleanser doesn't need scheduled rest days for most users — the brand's own guidance supports daily AM and PM use.

Overuse warning: the maximum safe frequency is twice daily. Exceeding this does NOT produce faster results — it produces barrier damage and, paradoxically, more oil as your skin overcompensates.

Purging vs. Reaction: PURGING (if it occurs at all with a rinse-off BHA this mild) shows up in your usual breakout areas, stays surface-level, and resolves within 4-6 weeks. A REACTION — new areas, burning, swelling, or hives — means stop immediately and does not improve with continued use.

Prerequisites: None — this is a foundational cleansing step, not an advanced active, so it doesn't require an existing routine to layer safely underneath.

Clogged pores and blackheads: Salicylic Acid is oil-soluble, so it can penetrate into the sebum sitting inside a pore and help dissolve the debris binding it, unlike water-soluble AHAs which work mainly on the surface.

Excess sebum: the brand's named "Anti-Sebum P Complex" (Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract) is marketed to help regulate surface oil, though each of these sits below this formula's estimated 1% line individually.*

*These ingredients appear below the estimated 1% line in the INCI list, suggesting they are present at trace/sub-efficacious individual concentrations. Their inclusion may be primarily for marketing rather than clinical effect.

Secondary benefit: Houttuynia Cordata (Heartleaf) Extract at a brand-stated 33.4% carries a calming, anti-inflammatory reputation in Korean skincare, which helps offset any redness the BHA might otherwise cause.

What this product cannot do: it cannot physically shrink pore size (pores don't have muscles to contract) — it can only reduce the debris that makes them look larger; it also cannot resolve deep cystic acne, which needs a dermatologist, not a cleanser.

All pairings below are verified in Adilsons' live catalog at the time of writing (status and inventory checked, not just listing status).

1. Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil 20ml — a first-cleanse oil to remove sunscreen/makeup before this foam does the water-soluble second cleanse; use PM only if wearing SPF or makeup. Alternatives if unavailable: Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil Mild 200ml, Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil 200ml (original).

2. Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner 250ml — re-hydrates and buffers redness immediately after cleansing, sharing the same Heartleaf active for a coherent routine. Alternatives: Rice 70 + Ceramide Glow Milky Toner, Peach 77% Niacin Essence Toner, Heartleaf 77 Clear Pad.

3. Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Dark Spot Correcting Serum — targets post-acne marks left behind once active congestion clears, on a different pathway than the BHA. Alternatives: Azelaic Acid 10% Hyaluron Redness Soothing Serum, Peach 70 Niacin Serum, PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum.

4. Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ — non-negotiable AM step; BHA use can mildly increase sun sensitivity. Alternatives: Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun: Rice + Probiotics, Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum.

Pilling pairs: Low risk — this is a rinse-off step with no leave-on residue, so it does not pill against any subsequent product.

This is a conflict-solver for ACTIVE ingredients. If you run multiple actives, use these rules to avoid irritation, deactivation, and barrier damage.

Universal rule: run only one primary active lane per routine (Retinoid OR Acid Exfoliation OR L-Ascorbic Acid Vitamin C OR Benzoyl Peroxide OR strong acne lane). This cleanser's 0.5% BHA in a 60-second rinse-off format is mild enough that most people can still run a separate leave-on active lane the same day — but if you notice increased sensitivity, treat this cleanser as occupying the "exfoliation lane" for that day and skip a separate leave-on acid.

× Leave-on Retinoid (same night): generally tolerated together since this washes off before the retinoid is applied, but if your skin is new to retinoids, use a fragrance-free, non-BHA cleanser on retinoid nights instead until your skin adjusts. Instead: alternate — this cleanser on non-retinoid nights, a plain gentle cleanser on retinoid nights, for the first 2-4 weeks.

× Leave-on AHA/BHA serum (same routine): stacking this cleanser's BHA with a separate leave-on acid the same day increases total acid exposure. Instead: if your leave-on exfoliant is already doing real work, use this cleanser as a plain second cleanse without counting on its BHA for exfoliation that day.

Scheduling Template (AM/PM Split): AM — this cleanser → antioxidant/hydration lane → SPF. PM — this cleanser (as first or second cleanse) → your chosen active lane (retinoid OR a separate acid, not both) → moisturizer.

Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep "one lane" per night. One-lane rule: Retinoid OR Exfoliation OR Strong Vitamin C (LAA) OR Acne-control active per routine; barrier/hydration can always accompany. If unsure, default to the safest lane and reduce layers.

Pre-period breakouts happen because progesterone causes the pore lining to physically swell, narrowing the opening and trapping sebum beneath — a pore-clearing BHA cleanser like this one is genuinely more useful in the days leading into your period than during the follicular phase.

Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which increases sebum production and can worsen inflammatory breakouts — exactly the concern this cleanser's BHA-plus-Heartleaf combination is built to address, since the Heartleaf extract's calming reputation offsets some of the redness that stress-driven breakouts bring.

If you're in a high-stress stretch and noticing more oiliness than usual, this cleanser can reasonably move from once-daily to twice-daily use temporarily, provided your barrier isn't already compromised.

MYTH: "If my skin feels squeaky clean after washing, the cleanser is working better." REALITY: squeaky-clean means the cleanser stripped your acid mantle along with the sebum — this formula is designed to avoid that feeling on purpose, at a low pH close to skin's own.

MYTH: "A cleanser with BHA can replace my leave-on BHA serum." REALITY: contact time matters — a leave-on serum sits on skin for hours, while this cleanser's active is rinsed away within about a minute, so it supports pore hygiene but isn't a substitute for a dedicated exfoliating treatment if that's your goal.

MYTH: "More foam means it's cleaning better." REALITY: foam volume is a function of the surfactant blend and how much you agitate it with water, not a measure of how much oil or debris is actually being removed.

Hard water note: Mauritius tap water hardness varies by region; hard water can leave a calcium-stearate film after cleansing that causes a tight, filmy feeling even with a well-formulated cleanser. If you notice this, follow with a toner (see the pairings above) to help counteract the residue rather than assuming the cleanser itself is too harsh.

*Clinical evidence for Heartleaf/Quercetin at cosmetic concentrations is largely traditional-use and small-scale in-vitro data rather than large controlled human trials; this does not mean the ingredients are ineffective, only that the evidence tier is lower than a pharmaceutical-grade active.

Full INCI list (source: INCIDecoder, aggregated via search-result review since direct page fetch was unavailable in this environment; this 25ml travel size is confirmed as the brand's official mini fill of the identical 150ml formula, so the sibling's verified INCI is used here):

Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Quercetin, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Water, Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Sodium Chloride, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid [--- Estimated 1% Line ---] Butylene Glycol, Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Potassium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-67, Houttuynia Cordata Powder, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate, Dextrin, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Fragrance, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA.

*The "Anti-Sebum P Complex" (Oenothera Biennis Flower Extract, Ulmus Davidiana Root Extract, Pinus Palustris Leaf Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract) and Houttuynia Cordata Powder all appear below the estimated 1% line, suggesting trace-to-low individual concentrations. Their inclusion may contribute a supporting effect but is unlikely to be the primary driver of results at these positions.

Preservative system: 1,2-Hexanediol + Ethylhexylglycerin (a common paraben-alternative preservative-booster pairing) plus Potassium Benzoate (a benzoate preservative); Disodium EDTA is a chelating agent that supports formula stability rather than acting as a preservative itself.

Fragrance status: Synthetic Fragrance (Parfum) — present in the declared INCI.

Scent description: Not independently characterized in this research; expect a mild, non-specific cosmetic scent typical of a Korean foaming cleanser rather than a strong perfume note.

EU 26 allergen screen: None individually named in the declared INCI beyond the bare "Fragrance" entry.

*Based on brand-declared INCI. The term "Fragrance" or "Parfum" in the INCI list may contain undisclosed allergens. Patch test advised for sensitive individuals.

Alcohol disclosure: Alcohol-Free — no ethanol or denatured alcohol appears in the declared INCI.

Aspirin/salicylate sensitivity: this product contains Salicylic Acid (BHA) and Capryloyl Salicylic Acid, both salicylate derivatives. If you have a known aspirin allergy or salicylate sensitivity, patch test on your inner forearm before facial use, and stop immediately if you notice hives, swelling, or unusual burning.

Halal status: *Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data. No ethanol from fermentation, no porcine-derived ingredients, and no haram animal-derived ingredients detected in the declared ingredient list. This is NOT a formal Halal certification. Muslims with stricter requirements should consult their own scholars.

Vegan status: *Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data. No animal-derived ingredients detected. This is NOT a formal vegan certification by The Vegan Society or equivalent body.

Cruelty-free status: *Brand-stated policy. Not independently certified by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or equivalent third-party audit — Anua does not appear on PETA's own cruelty-free database at the time of writing.

Microplastic-Free: Yes. Polyquaternium-67 and Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate are water-soluble conditioning/texturizing agents, not insoluble solid microplastic particles.

MFDS classification: General Cosmetic — no evidence was found of Korean MFDS Functional Cosmetic registration for this product, which would require additional government testing for a stated efficacy claim.

Clinical evidence: the brand cites a single-use test claiming pore-waste cleansing improvement, but two conflicting figures appear across different brand/retailer sources (98.8% vs. 99.5%) with no disclosed sample size or methodology.

*Both figures are Marketing-Only claims from brand-published testing; neither has an independently published methodology, so treat them as directional rather than precise.

A second brand-published figure claims a 17.46% reduction in acne severity and 49.98% reduction in sebum over 2 weeks, again with no disclosed sample size or independent publication.

*Marketing-Only claim; evidence confidence is Low.

This 25ml size is Anua's own official travel/mini fill of the identical formula also sold at this store in a 150ml size — confirmed across the brand's own US site listing and multiple international retailers, not a separate or reformulated product.

Separately, INCIDecoder maintains a "(Renewal)" listing for this product name, suggesting a past reformulation at some point in this SKU's history; the ingredient list used here reflects the current listing.

Fungal Acne Safety: FA-Conditional. Glyceryl Stearate SE and Lecithin are stearate/phospholipid emulsifiers some FA-safety trackers flag as potentially Malassezia-feeding; however, this is a rinse-off product with roughly 60 seconds of skin contact, which meaningfully lowers real-world FA risk compared to the same ingredients in a leave-on formula.

Assessment: None. As a rinse-off cleansing foam, this product leaves no residue on skin to interact with — pilling requires layered leave-on products with incompatible film-formers, which doesn't apply here.

Color baseline: Expect a consistent gel color batch to batch; a notable color shift or separation that doesn't remix suggests the formula has broken down.

Storage: Keep out of direct sun and away from bathroom shelf humidity extremes where possible — Mauritius's heat and humidity can accelerate degradation of botanical extracts faster than a cooler, drier climate would.

Spoilage signs: off/rancid smell, visible separation that won't remix, or a texture that's become watery or grainy. When in doubt, discard.

Patch test: apply a small amount to your inner forearm, wait 24 hours, then test behind the ear for another 24 hours before full facial use — especially relevant here given the undisclosed Fragrance and the Salicylic Acid content.

If an adverse reaction occurs: STOP ALL ACTIVES. For 72 hours, use ONLY a gentle cleanser, plain moisturizer, and mineral SPF. NO acids, retinoids, Vitamin C, exfoliants, or essential oils. After 72 hours, reintroduce ONE product per 14 days.

Emergency stop signals: hives, swelling, blistering, persistent burning, or breathing difficulty — seek emergency care immediately if any of these occur.

1. Using it more than twice daily chasing a "deeper clean" — this strips the barrier and increases oil production instead of reducing it.

2. Skipping moisturizer afterward because the BHA already "did the work" — the acid mantle still needs rebuilding after any cleanse.

3. Combining this with a separate leave-on strong BHA/AHA serum without reducing frequency of one of them.

4. Using hot water to rinse, which strips more lipid than the cleanser itself and increases irritation risk from the BHA.

5. Treating the 25ml travel size as a "starter" that needs to be used up quickly — it keeps just as well as the full-size within its shelf life; there's no rush.

Overuse threshold: more than twice daily consistently risks barrier stripping and reactive breakouts, not faster results.

Usage math: at a 1-2cm ribbon per use, twice daily, a retailer-sourced estimate puts this 25ml travel tube at roughly one month of use.*

*This is an approximate retailer estimate, not an Adilsons-derived lab calculation — actual longevity depends on how much product you use per wash.

Reorder timing: if you like the formula and want to avoid a gap, the in-stock 150ml full-size (see Mindful Alternatives below) offers roughly six times the volume in one purchase, worth considering once you've confirmed the formula suits your skin.

This cleanser is the foundational first (or second) step of a pore-focused, oil-balancing routine — everything after it should hydrate and buffer, not compete with its BHA.

AM: 1. This cleanser (60s, rinse) → 2. Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner (5-8 drops, wait 10-20s) → 3. Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum (2-3 drops, wait 30-60s) → 4. Moisturizer (1-2 peas) → 5. Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream (2-finger rule).

PM: 1. Oil cleanse if wearing SPF/makeup → 2. This cleanser (60s, rinse) → 3. Toner → 4. Optional targeted serum → 5. Moisturizer.

If your skin is barrier-compromised right now: skip this cleanser temporarily and use a plain, acid-free gentle cleanser until your barrier recovers (see the 72-Hour Reset above), then reintroduce it once daily.

If you're in AC all day: this rinse-off step is unaffected by AC dehydration, but make sure your post-cleanse moisturizer is doing the sealing work, since AC pulls humectant-drawn moisture from deeper skin layers rather than the air.

If you're in your luteal phase and noticing more oiliness: twice-daily use of this cleanser is appropriate; don't exceed that even if oiliness spikes further.

Bundle 1 (Pore-focused routine, all in-catalog): This cleanser + Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner + Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum — cleanse, calm, then target post-acne marks on a separate pathway from the BHA.

Bundle 2 (Double-cleanse for makeup/SPF days): Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil 20ml + this cleanser + Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream — dissolve, wash, then seal in moisture.

After purchasing, you will receive our skincare education email series covering this product in depth.

The recommendations above are based on formulation synergy with this cleanser, not on margin or stock levels. If a pairing does not exist in our catalog, we say so. If you already own a product that fills the same role, use what you have first.

If your priority is a bigger supply of this exact same formula rather than a travel/trial size, the identical formula is also sold here as Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 150ml — same INCI, same actives, roughly six times the volume.

If you want a gentler formula for more reactive skin, Anua Heartleaf Succinic Cleansing Foam uses Succinic Acid instead of Salicylic Acid for a milder exfoliation profile at the same low pH.

If you want a stronger, more concentrated BHA lane for active acne, SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Tea-Trica BHA Foam is a more acne-treatment-oriented formula from a different brand, currently low in stock.

Choose *Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam* over *Heartleaf Succinic Cleansing Foam* if you need: a stronger, more oil-soluble exfoliating acid (Salicylic Acid penetrates into sebum-filled pores) plus a named Anti-Sebum P botanical complex, rather than Succinic Acid's gentler surface-level action.

If your skin is reactive, easily flushed, or new to BHA: the Succinic Cleansing Foam is the safer starting point — switch to this one only once you know your skin tolerates a real BHA.

If you're already stripped, tight, or flaking: do not upgrade to this one yet; repair your barrier first with a plain gentle cleanser.

If you're seeing more blackheads/texture than usual and the Succinic Foam feels too gentle: this is a reasonable time to move up to this BHA formula.

If you already tolerate the Succinic Foam well with zero irritation over several weeks: that's a good sign your barrier can likely handle this stronger BHA formula.

If you match the "genuinely oily, blackhead-prone, no current barrier issues" profile, this is worth choosing. If not, the Succinic alternative is sufficient and safer. Consistency beats complexity.

This cleanser sits on a real in-catalog strength ladder: Heartleaf 87 Low pH Deep Cleansing Water (no exfoliating acid, gentlest) → Heartleaf Succinic Cleansing Foam (mild Succinic Acid exfoliation) → this product (0.5% Salicylic Acid BHA) → SKIN1004 Tea-Trica BHA Foam (more concentrated, acne-treatment-oriented BHA).

Move up this ladder only as your skin tolerates the current step without tightness or reactivity; there's no benefit to starting at the strongest option.

This product's PRIMARY function is: rinse-off pore-clearing and oil-balancing cleansing. You do NOT need this if you already own the identical 150ml full-size formula (Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam 150ml) with product remaining — they are the same formula, and finishing what you have is the better choice.

Check for any other open cleanser with a similar BHA/pore-focused claim before buying a second one — running two BHA cleansers side by side offers no additional benefit, just redundant spend on the same mechanism.

Stacking assessment: No Benefit if you already use the 150ml full-size of this exact formula (same mechanism, same actives) — Marginal Benefit if you're currently using a non-BHA cleanser and want to add mild pore-focused exfoliation.

This product is sourced through authorized Korean distributors — primarily Craver Co., Ltd (South Korea), alongside other verified distribution partners. Craver is a major Korean beauty distributor and the parent company of SKIN1004, handling authorized distribution for multiple K-beauty brands. All products are shipped directly to Mauritius via verified channels.

For comprehensive information about how we verify authenticity, our layered verification system, and how to check your product at home, visit our dedicated Authenticity and Trust page.

Brand profile: Anua was founded in 2019 in Seoul, South Korea, under The Founders Inc., a Korean beauty brand-incubator/holding company. Its hero ingredient is Houttuynia Cordata (Heartleaf), best known via its 77% Soothing Toner. No public source confirms whether Anua manufactures in-house or via a contract manufacturer.

Anua is positioned as a natural/dermatological-ingredient skincare brand built for sensitive, easily-irritated skin — the brand reports having sold 40 million-plus units globally and expanded into all Ulta Beauty US stores by 2025. This cleanser sits within the brand's Heartleaf soothing/calming product line alongside its 77% Soothing Toner and Succinic Cleansing Foam.

Research for this specific 25ml mini fill did not turn up reviews separate from the identical full-size (150ml) formula — the two share one formula, so feedback below reflects the formula generally rather than this exact travel-size tube.

Aggregated iHerb feedback (paraphrased, not verbatim quotes) on the full-size formula describes it as feeling gentle but cleaning thoroughly, with a light, foamy texture that rinses off without leaving skin dry or tight. One user reported successfully using it every other day on acne-prone, sensitive skin rather than daily.

No dedicated Reddit thread was found for this product, and no complaint theme surfaced with enough independent corroboration this run to state as a trend — this is disclosed plainly rather than filled in with invented feedback.

Sustainability: Check the tube material's local recycling code before disposal; specific refill-program availability was not found for this SKU in our research.

Is the 25ml the same formula as the 150ml full-size? Yes — this is confirmed as Anua's official travel/mini fill of the identical formula, not a separate or diluted version.

Can I use this every day, both AM and PM? Yes, that's the brand's intended use pattern at this dose (~0.5% Salicylic Acid, rinse-off) — reduce to once daily if you notice tightness or irritation.

Is it fragrance-free? No — it contains a synthetic Fragrance in the declared INCI with no allergen breakdown disclosed. If you're fragrance-sensitive, patch test first.

Is the Salicylic Acid content safe during pregnancy? At a brand-stated ~0.5% in a rinse-off format, this sits well below the 2% threshold generally flagged as a pregnancy caution — but always confirm with your own doctor, since individual guidance can differ.

Is the 25ml worth it versus just buying the 150ml? The 25ml is genuinely useful for trialing the formula or travel; if you already know you like it and want value/longevity, the 150ml full-size is the same formula at a larger fill.

BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid)

An oil-soluble exfoliating acid (here, Salicylic Acid) that can penetrate into sebum-filled pores, unlike water-soluble AHAs.

Acid Mantle

The skin's naturally slightly-acidic (pH 4.5-5.5) protective surface layer, which over-washing can strip.

FA-Conditional

An ingredient that some fungal-acne-safety trackers flag as potentially feeding Malassezia yeast, though real-world risk varies by contact time and individual skin.

INCI

International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients — the standardized ingredient list required on cosmetic packaging, listed in descending order of concentration above 1%.

MFDS

Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; "Functional Cosmetic" status requires additional government testing beyond a General Cosmetic.

Purging

A temporary increase in breakouts in your usual problem areas as an active accelerates turnover of existing congestion, resolving within 4-6 weeks.

EU 26 Allergens

A list of 26 fragrance ingredients the EU requires be individually named if present above a threshold — a bare "Fragrance" entry does not disclose these.

Estimated 1% Line

The approximate point in an INCI list below which ingredients are typically present at under 1% concentration, based on descending-order labeling convention.

Every product sold by Adilsons Beauty is 100% genuine, sourced through authorized Korean distribution channels. Full details on our verification system: Authenticity and Trust.

Our team is available to help you build a routine, troubleshoot reactions, and answer ingredient questions. WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

For in-depth skincare education, visit our blog at adilsons.mu/blogs/k-beauty or subscribe to our email to get our guided education series delivered to your inbox.

Coverage: Island-wide delivery (Mauritius).

Processing and Timing: Orders process in 1-2 business days; usually ready by Day 3 for pickup by our delivery partners/regional team. Partner collection can take up to 1 week. After pickup, delivery typically takes 1-5 business days (weekdays only).

Express: May be available by region; request on WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

Liquids/Sensitive Items: Serums, toners, liquid makeup (and kits containing liquids) are pickup or door-to-door only; checkout enforces this.

Scheduling: Deliveries run by region on set schedules; we will contact you the evening before.

Pickup: Citadelle Mall pickup available.

Returns: No change-of-mind exchanges.

Refunds (Summary): For defective/damaged on receipt (report within 48h), wrong item, or manufacturing defect within 6 months. Refunds via bank transfer (7-10 business days); card refunds may incur a 5% processor fee (fee not charged for defects/order errors). Opened skincare/personal-care items are non-returnable (except if damaged on delivery).

Source of Truth: This is a quick snapshot. If anything differs, the policy pages are final.

Store Policies: For the most up-to-date information, please review our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy.

Best for: oily, combination, or acne-prone skin dealing with clogged pores and midday shine in Mauritius's climate, who want to trial Anua's Heartleaf BHA cleanser in a travel-friendly size before committing to the full-size.

Key benefits: a real, brand-stated 0.5% oil-soluble BHA at a rinse-off-appropriate low dose; a low, skin-close pH; amino-acid surfactants that clean without stripping; a genuine mini format identical to the in-catalog 150ml.

Keep in mind: contains an undisclosed synthetic Fragrance; two FA-conditional emulsifiers are present (lower real-world risk given the rinse-off format); this exact 25ml listing shows zero stock at the time of writing, with the identical 150ml formula available as the practical in-stock choice.