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: 4 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 four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
Aditi NaskarDiploma In Health & Wellness
Expertise: Health & Wellness
Experience: 5 years
Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She i... more
Arshiya SyedaDiploma In Health & Wellness
Expertise: Beauty & Lifestyle, Health & Wellness
Experience: 7 years
Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articl... 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, wash-off scrubs, gels, peeling solutions, and exfoliating 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 for gentle exfoliation!
In This Article
10 Best Korean Exfoliators For All Skin Types
1. TonyMoly Floria Brightening Peeling Gel
Image: Tony Moly Suitable For: All skin types
This gel-based exfoliator contains natural extracts and has a gommage-like texture. When you massage it into your skin, you can see the dead skin cells ball up and come off in pieces. It is a lab-tested product that contains fermented lotus flower water that brightens your skin and pearl powder that has antioxidant benefits and a skin brightening effect. The clinically-proven exfoliator also contains Maesil or Korean plum extract that improves skin hydration levels, circulation, and elasticity. Korean Plum extract contains natural AHA that can chemically exfoliate your skin without drying it out to remove dead skin cells and promote skin renewal. It is one of the best Korean skin exfoliators that offers visible results. 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
Image: The Skin Food Since 1957 Suitable For: All skin types
Skin Food Black Sugar Strawberry Wash-Off Face Mask is a physical exfoliator (scrub) that contains the mineral-rich organic black sugar. This Korean body scrub is a sugar scrub that exfoliates the skin gently and keeps it hydrated and nourished. This dead skin removal scrub is also enriched with strawberry seeds and strawberry seed oil that gives visible results for soft and glowing skin. It also has a sweet fragrance that lingers on your skin. Some reviewers mention that this tested product delivers what it promises without any side effects. It is the best Korean beauty body scrub. Check out this video on YouTube for more information on this exfoliating face scrub.Pros
- Paraben-free
- No mineral oils
- Petrolatum-free
- Organic ingredients
- Professional-grade
- No harmful chemicals
Cons
None
[ Read: Complete 10-Step Korean Skin Care Routine For Morning And Night ]
3. Mother Made Exfoliating Aqua Peel Gel
Image: Mother Made 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 formula is tested to be gentle enough for all skin types. It penetrates the skin to remove impurities and unclog pores, leaving your face feeling fresh and clean, as a result of sebum removal. The enzyme-based exfoliator is rich in natural botanical extracts like green tea, and baobab seed extract, which nourish and hydrate the skin for a healthy, radiant complexion. Some reviewers claim that regular use of this exfoliating gel, containing vitamin E and hyaluronic acid, helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. The deep cleansing gel is validated by dermatologists and is formulated with natural enzymes that exfoliate and remove dead skin cells, and provide visible results.
Also Recommended By: whatthefab have also listed Mother Made in their top 10.[1] 10 Korean Exfoliator Products Your Skin Will Love – whatthefab. https://whatthefab.com/korean-exfoliator.html
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
Image: Dr.g Suitable For: All skin types
Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel contains natural cellulose that has an instant brightening effect on your skin. User reviews state that the skin feels smoother with just one use of this clinically-proven product. It is validated by leading dermatologists and contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as honey, hollyhock flower, and black willow extracts, that soothe your delicate skin. This exfoliating mask 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
- Dermatologist-tested
- No harmful chemicals
Cons
None
Remember5. Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel
Image: Pyunkang Yul 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. Some reviews mention that it is a gentle, glow-enhancing peel for any skin type. The gel also helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and inflammation while restoring your skin’s natural glow. The green tea extract in the formula is perfect for soothing inflamed or irritated sensitive skin. With regular use of this dermatologist-recommended product, 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
Image: Skin Food Since 1957 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. This dermatologically-tested gel also contains cellulose particles and AHA derived from apples that exfoliate your skin gently and cleanse your pores thoroughly. Multiple reviewer’s experience state that this peeling gel helps to refine visible pores and make the skin look flawless.
Pros
- Contains fruit extracts
- Clinically-proven
- SLS-free
- SLES-free
- No mineral oils
Cons
- Contains parabens
7. Rokkiss Tea Tree Peeling Gel
Image: Rokkiss The Rokkiss Tea Tree Peeling gel helps you gently peel off the dead skin cells and impurities from the skin. The peeling gel contains tea tree oil, Centella, cypress leaves, cellulose, hyaluronic acid, licorice, aloe vera leaves, and eucalyptus that smoothen and hydrate your skin. This hydrating exfoliator is easy to use, either before sleep or going to work. It is tested to smoothen the skin, reduce enlarged pores, and tighten the skin.
Suitable For: All Skin Types
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Alcohol-free
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- May be drying
Pro Tip8. O.R.G Skincare Mineral Peel Body
Image: O.r.g Skincare 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 beauty formulation does not dry out 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
Image: Dermalogy By Neogenlab Suitable For: All skin types
These manual exfoliation pads are soaked in a non-irritating formula containing Resveratrol, a naturally fermented ingredient derived from red wine. Resveratrol contains AHA that helps in exfoliating dead skin cells from your skin. This cotton peel 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
Image: Mizon Suitable For: All skin types
Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel is an extremely mild peeling gel that is suitable for even sensitive skin. The oil control 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 a smoother texture, more even toned and softer skin. This scientifically formulated gel 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 your skin’s elasticity, resulting in soft and supple skin.
Pros
- Mild exfoliation
- 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. Opt for nourishing and gentle ingredients like Portulaca Oleracea extracts, witch hazel, sparkling water, hyaluronic acid, and Centella Asiatica that can help calm your skin and fade spots and marks.
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 
The Bottom Line
Exfoliation gently removes dead skin cells and impurities while improving circulation. Korean exfoliators come in different forms and offer a wide variety of benefits from unclogging pores and deep cleansing to promoting skin renewal and brightening. You should pick the ones that work best for you skin issues. For instance, the TonyMoly Floria Brightening Peeling Gel softens and nourishes the skin helping you eradicate any dryness. On the other hand, the SkinFood Black Sugar Strawberry Wash-Off Face Mask improves skin elasticity and hydration so your skin look youthful and supple. This curated list of the best Korean exfoliators allows you to make an informed choice before buying. Pick out the one that suits you best and start exfoliating!
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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