Anua Heartleaf vs Manyo Pure Cleansing Oil: Which First-Cleanse Oil Wins?
Two of K-beauty’s most recommended cleansing oils — but one is built to control oily, congested skin, and the other to nourish and rebuild.
One clears and controls; the other nourishes and rebuilds.
Both are first-step (oil) cleansers that melt away makeup and sunscreen, and — worth saying up front — neither is fragrance-free. The difference is purpose. Anua Heartleaf is a pore-control oil built around heartleaf to manage sebum, blackheads, and congestion — a match for oily and acne-prone skin. Manyo Pure is a nourishing classic built on 14 plant oils to cleanse while conditioning — a match for dry, normal, or mature skin.
Same step, opposite goals
An oil cleanser is the first half of a double cleanse: it dissolves oil-based grime (makeup, SPF, sebum) that water-based cleansers can’t, then emulsifies and rinses away. Both of these do that job well — the question is what they leave behind and who they suit.
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil leans clarifying. It pairs a high dose of heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) with lighter plant oils (jojoba, grape seed, macadamia) for a fresh, non-heavy finish aimed at controlling sebum and loosening blackheads. It’s marketed non-comedogenic and suits oily, combination, and acne-prone skin — though it does contain added fragrance, which very reactive or acne-prone users sometimes flag.
Manyo Pure Cleansing Oil leans nourishing. It’s an award-winning classic built on a blend of around 14 naturally-derived plant oils (grape seed, olive, soybean, hazelnut, camellia and more) plus antioxidants, designed to cleanse while conditioning and calming. It rinses clean but leaves skin feeling softer and more nourished — better for dry, normal, or mature skin. Note it contains essential oils (including lavender), so it’s also not for the fragrance-averse.
Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil
The clarifying, lighter oil for congested and oily skin.
Best if: your skin is oily or congested and you want a lighter, clarifying cleanse.
Manyo Pure Cleansing Oil
The award-winning, nourishing oil for dry and normal skin.
Best if: your skin is dry or normal and you want a richer, conditioning cleanse.
At a glance
Feel, rinse, and skin type
Anua feels lighter on the skin and rinses to a fresher, less-cushioned finish — which is exactly what oily and congestion-prone skin usually wants. Manyo feels richer and more conditioning; it melts makeup thoroughly and leaves a soft, nourished afterfeel that dry and mature skin appreciates but oily skin may find a touch heavy.
Both should be massaged onto dry skin, then emulsified with a little water before rinsing, and both work best followed by a gentle water-based cleanser (the second step of a double cleanse). If an oil cleanser ever feels like a film is left behind, you either didn’t emulsify enough or skipped the second cleanse.
What real reviewers report
Commonly praised: melts makeup and sunscreen easily, lightweight non-greasy finish, helps with blackheads and congestion, good for oily skin.
Commonly flagged: it’s fragranced — some acne-prone or sensitive users flag the scent; very dry skin may want something richer.
Commonly praised: thorough, nourishing cleanse, leaves skin soft and comfortable, a long-standing cult classic, great for dry skin.
Commonly flagged: richer feel can be too much for oily skin; contains essential oils (incl. lavender), so not for the fragrance-averse.
Which one for you?
Pick Anua if…
- your skin is oily, combo, or acne-prone
- you want sebum and blackhead control
- you prefer a light, fresh finish
- congestion is your main concern
Pick Manyo if…
- your skin is dry, normal, or mature
- you want a nourishing, conditioning cleanse
- you like a richer melt-away feel
- you want a proven classic for dry skin
FAQ
Are these my only cleansing step?
No — they’re the first step of a double cleanse. Oil cleansers remove oil-based grime; follow with a gentle water-based cleanser to fully clean the skin, especially at night.
Is either one fragrance-free?
No. Anua contains added fragrance, and Manyo contains essential oils (including lavender). If you’re fragrance-sensitive or very reactive, patch test first or look for a fragrance-free oil cleanser instead.
Which is better for acne-prone skin?
Anua is aimed at oily, congestion-prone skin and is marketed non-comedogenic, so it’s the more targeted pick — but the fragrance is a caveat for very reactive acne-prone skin. Manyo’s richer oils suit dry skin better than acne-prone.
Will an oil cleanser break me out?
It shouldn’t if you emulsify and rinse well and follow with a second cleanse. If you’re acne-prone, the lighter Anua is usually the safer choice; leaving any oil residue is what tends to cause issues.
Do they remove sunscreen and waterproof makeup?
Yes — both dissolve SPF and most makeup effectively. For heavy waterproof makeup, take your time massaging before emulsifying.
Bottom line
Choose Anua Heartleaf for lighter, clarifying oil cleansing aimed at oily, congested, and acne-prone skin.
Choose Manyo Pure for a richer, nourishing cleanse that suits dry, normal, and mature skin.
Either way, emulsify well, follow with a water-based cleanser, and — since neither is fragrance-free — patch test if your skin is reactive.
Next step: Best Korean Cleansing Oils & Overnight Masks (2026): The Bookends of a Routine
Sources & verification
- Anua — Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, official product page. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used for the heartleaf pore-control positioning, plant oils, non-comedogenic claim, and size.
- INCIDecoder — Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil ingredient list. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used to confirm the heartleaf, lighter oils (jojoba/grape/macadamia), and the presence of fragrance.
- INCIDecoder — Manyo Pure Cleansing Oil ingredient list. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used to confirm the multi-plant-oil blend and essential oils (including lavender).
- Manyo — official site. Checked Aug 23, 2026. Used for the Pure Cleansing Oil’s nourishing, award-winning positioning.
- K-Beauty Verdict — Heartleaf in K-Beauty: What Houttuynia Cordata Actually Does for Your Skin. Related (our ingredient explainer).
