Ingredients

Heartleaf (Houttuynia Cordata)

Written by Reviewed by the SYNC editorial team Published Last reviewed Editorial standards

Heartleaf (Houttuynia Cordata) — an extract from Houttuynia cordata, a heart-shaped-leaf plant used in East Asian skincare for its soothing and antioxidant-rich properties. It is popular in calming formulas aimed at balancing sensitive or blemish-prone skin.

Key points

  • Heartleaf contains flavonoids and other antioxidant compounds studied for soothing and skin-conditioning effects.
  • It is frequently used to help calm the appearance of redness and comfort reactive skin.
  • The ingredient is a staple in Korean toners, essences, and ampoules formulated for sensitive, breakout-prone skin.
  • Heartleaf is often paired with humectants and other calming botanicals for a lightweight, balancing feel.

Frequently asked

What is heartleaf extract used for in skincare?

It is mainly used to soothe the look of irritation and redness while supporting a balanced, comfortable feel in sensitive or blemish-prone skin. It commonly appears in toners and essences.

Is Houttuynia cordata the same as heartleaf?

Yes, heartleaf is the common name for Houttuynia cordata, referring to its distinctive heart-shaped leaves. Product labels may use either term.

Related topics

This is a foundational entry in the SYNC Skin Encyclopedia and is expanded over time. Educational information only — not medical advice.

Encyclopedia

Further reading

This entry was written and checked against the sources below. They are published by clinical and scientific bodies, they are listed most readable first, and each one opens in a new tab. They are background for the whole entry rather than footnotes to individual sentences.

  1. Houttuynia cordata Thunb: An Ethnopharmacological Review PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Pharmacological Effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (H. cordata): A Comprehensive Review PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. The therapeutic potential of Houttuynia cordata: A current review PubMed Central Peer-reviewed, open access pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Antioxidant Houttuynia cordata extract upregulates filaggrin expression in an aryl hydrocarbon-dependent manner PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Houttuynia Cordata Thunb.: A comprehensive review of traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety PubMed Peer-reviewed (abstract) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

SYNC does not publish medical advice. Nothing here replaces a consultation with a doctor or a pharmacist about your own skin.