Meet the Trending Korean Skincare Ingredient That Can Soothe Acne, Redness, and Sun Damage

Korean skincare has a stellar reputation, and it's for good reason. It's at the forefront of innovation, constantly creating effective formulas that treat the skin without causing excess irritation or inflammation. It also introduces other geographies to tried-and-true ingredients. Take snail mucin as an example. What was once a relatively unknown ingredient in the U.S. has recently exploded in popularity, thanks to its hydrating, soothing, and plumping abilities.

Well, there's yet another ingredient hitting the U.S. skincare market, and like snail mucin, it has been used in Korean formulations for, well, forever. We're talking about something called heartleaf extract. The multitasking ingredient can soothe acne, reduce redness, and even work magic on sun damage. Ahead, learn everything you need to know about this buzzy ingredient straight from a top dermatologist and esthetician. Then, see the best heartleaf skincare products.

According to Alicia Yoon, Korean skincare expert and founder and CEO of Peach Lily, "Heartleaf is a type of plant native to Asia called Hottuynia Cordata (eosongcho in Korean). Heartleaf extract has been used in Korean skincare for decades and has garnered more awareness and popularity over the last few years."

Part of its growing popularity is due to its long list of skin benefits (more on that in a minute). The other part is due to K-beauty's worldwide reputation and the way social media promotes it. "It's become more well-known Stateside with the growing love for Korean skincare as well as the massive awareness TikTok has created around this ingredient as a hero Korean skincare ingredient," Yoon says.

Did you know that the ingredient has a history in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Korean herbal medicinal practices? Yoon says heartleaf has been used for centuries as both a digestible and topical ingredient. "It's packed with flavonoids and has long been celebrated for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties," she says. "It's loved as a skincare ingredient for visibly calming irritated skin, reducing signs of redness, helping curb breakouts, and helping balance skin."

Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, double-board certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology agrees, saying, "The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of heartleaf make it useful for treating skin conditions associated with inflammation, such as eczema, acne, and rosacea. The botanical is also thought to be an effective humectant."

Make no mistake—heartleaf can benefit all skin types. Both Yoon and Camp say it's typically well-tolerated with a low risk for reactions. According to Yoon, "It's especially beneficial to those who have sensitive, reactive, or irritated skin."

Camp agrees, saying that while it's generally well-tolerated, it's still a good idea to perform a patch test as with any new ingredients or products. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry when experimenting with skincare.

10 Heartleaf Skincare Products