10 Best Korean Exfoliators For All Skin Types – 2023
Slough away dead skin cells and get glowing skin with these Korean exfoliators.
Dr. Anna H. ChaconMD, FAAD
Expertise: Dermatology
Experience: 9 years
Dr. Anna Chacon is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology with over 9 years of experience. She enjoys practicing all aspects of dermatology and is licensed to practice in 49 states. She i... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
Image: Shutterstock
Many celebrities and social media influencers swear by the potency of Korean cosmetic and makeup products. Here, we have listed the best Korean exfoliators for you to try. Exfoliating your skin is the most beneficial thing to do. Skin sheds dead cells and regenerates every 27 days. When you don’t exfoliate your skin, these dead cells tend to stick around. Korean exfoliators come in various forms, including toners, scrubs, gels, peeling solutions, and pads. The goal of these exfoliators is to avoid dry skin and clogged pores while also increasing cell turnover. Take a look at our top picks!
In This Article
10 Best Korean Exfoliators For All Skin Types
1. TonyMoly Floria Brightening Peeling Gel
Suitable For: All skin types
This gel-based exfoliator contains natural extracts. When you massage it into your skin, you can see the dead skin cells ball up and come off in pieces. It contains fermented lotus flower water that brightens your skin and pearl powder that has antioxidant benefits and a skin brightening effect. It also contains Maesil or Korean plum extract that improves skin hydration levels, circulation, and elasticity. Korean Plum extract contains natural AHA that removes dead skin cells. It is the best Korean skin exfoliator. For a visual demonstration of the TonyMoly Floria Brightening Peeling Gel, have a look at this YouTube video.
Pros
- Can be used on other body parts (knees, elbows, and heels)
- Paraben-free
- SLS- and SLES-free
- No mineral oils
- No harmful chemicals
Cons
None
2. SkinFood Black Sugar Strawberry Wash-Off Face Mask
Suitable For: All skin types
SkinFood Black Sugar Strawberry Face Mask is a physical exfoliator (scrub) that contains the mineral-rich organic black sugar. This sugar scrubs exfoliate the skin gently and keep it hydrated and nourished. This scrub is also enriched with strawberry seeds and strawberry seed oil that soften your skin and make it glow. It also has a sweet fragrance that lingers on your skin. It is the best Korean body scrub. Check out this video on YouTube for more information on SkinFood Black Sugar Strawberry Wash-Off Face Mask.Pros
- Paraben-free
- No mineral oils
- Petrolatum-free
- Organic ingredients
- No harmful chemicals
Cons
None
[ Read: Complete 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine For Morning And Night ]
3. Mother Made Exfoliating Aqua Peel Gel
Suitable For: Oily, Combination, Sensitive, and Dry Skin
The Mother Made Exfoliating Aqua Peel Gel is a deep cleansing and exfoliating facial treatment that works to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells. This powerful yet gentle formula penetrates the skin to remove impurities and unclog pores, leaving your face feeling fresh and clean. The gel is rich in natural botanical extracts like green tea, and baobab seed extract, which nourish and hydrate the skin for a healthy, glowing complexion. With regular use, this exfoliating treatment containing vitamin E and hyaluronic acid helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. The gel is also formulated with natural enzymes that help to gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother.
Pros
- Plant-based ingredients
- Dermatologist-tested
- Hypoallergenic
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Paraben-free
- Phenoxyethanol-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Can make dry patches drier
4. Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel
Suitable For: All skin types
Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel contains natural cellulose that has an instant brightening effect on your skin. You can see your skin get smoother with just one use. It contains other anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as honey, hollyhock flower, and black willow extracts, that soothe your delicate skin. This product also contains vitamin C that helps brighten your skin. It is the best Korean peeling maskPros
- Botanical extracts
- Paraben-free
- SLS-free
- SLES-free
- Phthalate-free
- No harmful chemicals
Cons
None
5. Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel
Suitable For: Dry and Sensitive Skin
The Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel is a gentle and effective exfoliator that helps to remove dead skin cells and debris from the surface of your skin. Its gel-like formula is infused with natural ingredients such as centella asiatica, licorice root, and houttuynia cordata extract to help soothe and refine your skin. This gentle peeling gel also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and inflammation while restoring your skin’s natural glow. The green tea in the formula is perfect for soothing inflamed or irritated sensitive skin. With regular use, you can expect smoother and healthier-looking skin.
Pros
- EWG safety grade ingredients
- Dermatologically tested
- Lightweight
- Non-irritating
- Non-comedogenic
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
None
[ Read: 7 Best Korean Rubber Face Masks To Try In 2019 ]
6. Skinfood Pineapple Peeling Gel
Suitable For: All skin types
The SkinFood Pineapple Peeling Gel is enriched with pineapple enzymes. These enzymes are rich in vitamins A and C that help reduce inflammation and soften your skin. It also contains cellulose particles and AHA derived from apples that exfoliate your skin gently and cleanse your pores thoroughly. It is the best peeling gel Korean face wash.Pros
- Contains fruit extracts
- SLS-free
- SLES-free
- No mineral oils
Cons
- Contains parabens
7. Rokkiss Tea Tree Peeling Gel
The Rokkiss Tea Tree Peeling gel helps you gently peel off the dead skin cells and impurities from the skin. It contains tea tree, Centella, cypress leaves, cellulose, hyaluronic acid, licorice, aloe vera leaves, and eucalyptus that smoothen and hydrate your skin. This product is easy to use, either before sleep or going to work. It smoothens the skin, reduces enlarged pores, and tightens the skin.
Suitable For: All Skin Types
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- May be drying
8. O.R.G Skincare Mineral Peel Body
The O.R.G Skincare Mineral Peel Body cleanses dirt, and dead or damaged skin cells, making the skin smoother for shaving or tanning. It is formulated with natural ingredients like aloe vera, grape, rosewood, cucumber, retinol, and rose flower oil. This non-abrasive gel-based exfoliator rejuvenates your skin and prevents ingrown hair and uneven skin tones. This ancient Korean formulation does not dry or make your skin irritated.
Suitable For: All Skin Types
Pros
- Alcohol-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Natural exfoliating ingredients
- Cruelty-free
- Brightens the skin
Cons
None
[ Read: 10 Best Korean Skin Care Brands You Should Try Out Right Now! ]
9. Neogen Dermalogy Gauze Peeling Wine
Suitable For: All skin types
These manual exfoliation pads are soaked in a formula containing Resveratrol, a naturally fermented ingredient derived from red wine. Resveratrol contains AHA that helps in exfoliating dead skin cells from your skin. It helps improve and refine your skin texture. it is the best Korean skincare exfoliation.Pros
- 100% cotton mesh pads
- Paraben-free
- SLS- and SLES-free
- No harmful chemicals
Cons
None
10. Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel
Suitable For: All skin types
Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel is an extremely mild peeling gel that is suitable for even sensitive skin. This peeling gel is a cocktail of fruit extracts and herbal ingredients that not only dissolve the dirt on your skin but also remove the dead skin cells, leaving you with smoother and softer skin. It contains papaya and Gypsophila paniculata root extracts that remove excess sebum from the hair follicles. It also contains orange, bilberry, and lemon extracts that improve the elasticity of your skin.Pros
- Mild formula
- Pleasant fragrance
- SLS-free
- SLES-free
Cons
- Contains parabens
Even though your skin exfoliates itself naturally by shedding the dead cells, this ability of your skin slows down as you age. That is when exfoliation becomes a necessity.
Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist, explains, “Korean skincare is nothing about excessive rubbing or scratching. It mostly contains chemical peeling gels or pads rather and not physical exfoliators.” Although most Korean exfoliators are mild, you should not use an exfoliator more than twice a week. When choosing an exfoliator, it is best to consider your skin type and skin concerns. For instance, if you have extremely sensitive and acne-prone skin, stay away from physical exfoliators or scrubs that may further aggravate the condition. Go for a milder product.
Moreover, over-exfoliating can damage your skin. If you are using a physical exfoliator, make sure you do not rub too hard. Also, check for any ingredient you are allergic to before picking a product.
Do you prefer physical exfoliators or chemical ones? Have you tried any K-beauty exfoliators? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
Infographic: What To Look For In A Korean Exfoliator
You can check out the infographic below to have a better understanding of the things you need to know before buying a Korean exfoliator. This infographic will help you get a detailed glimpse of the things you need to consider while choosing a Korean exfoliator for different skin types. You will learn about:
- The key ingredients
- What it does
- How often to use
The infographic also explains the benefits of using a Korean exfoliator for your skin. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic 
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti, the author of this post, is a certified skin care coach and loves to try out new and innovative products. So, she researched various products thoroughly and read many user reviews on trusted online forums to curate this list of the best Korean exfoliators for her readers. The shortlisted Korean exfoliators effectively increase cell turnover and manage dry skin and pores.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Koreans exfoliate with?
Koreans generally use chemical exfoliators like peeling gels and pads to exfoliate their skin.
Is Korean exfoliator good for you?
Yes, Korean exfoliators are made of premium ingredients that are not harsh on skin.
Does a Korean body exfoliator hurt?
Yes, initially it does feel uncomfortable and hurts a bit but eventually it settles down and feels like a vigourous exercise.
Is it OK to exfoliate your face everyday?
No, daily exfoliation will strip off the natural oils from your face and cause dulness. Ideally, you should exfoliate once or twice a week.
When should I use a physical vs a chemical exfoliator?
Chemical exfoliators exfoliate and brighten the skin but it takes time for them to show effect. Physical exfoliators simply exfoliate the skin and is more of a quick fix when you are short on time.
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