Heartleaf (Houttuynia): Korea's hanbang heritage ingredient 어성초
Heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata, eoseongcho) is a traditional East Asian plant long used in Korean folk remedies and herbal teas, noted in traditional usage for skin and was a familiar botanical in everyday folk practice.
In modern K-beauty
It has become a trending calming ingredient in K-beauty toners and essences aimed at oily, blemish-prone skin, positioned to help balance and soothe the look of stressed skin. Claims stay within comforting, cosmetic territory.
Associated with the look of
Korean brands that feature it
Anua · Abib · Some By Mi
Related K-beauty guides
Try the free tools
🙋 People also ask
What is hanbang Korean skincare?
Hanbang refers to Korean skincare rooted in traditional herbal medicine, using botanicals like ginseng, mugwort and licorice. These ingredients appear in premium and heritage Korean lines, especially anti-ageing products, blending old herbal traditions with modern cosmetic formulation.
What is heartleaf in Korean skincare?
Heartleaf, or Houttuynia cordata (어성초 in Korean), is a trending calming extract used in K-beauty to soothe and help balance oily, blemish-prone skin. It's found in lightweight toners and essences and pairs well with centella, niacinamide or BHA for troubled skin.
✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-23.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.