Whether your skincare routine has 10-steps or not, exfoliating your complexion is a non-negotiable matter. Using exfoliants encourages the skin to shed dead cells buildup, making room for new, healthier cells. This translates into an evener tone, less visible fine lines, diminished hyperpigmentation, fewer pimples, and the glow. Instagram filter? No, thanks. And what can you rely on most, if not those who put glass, flawless, and illuminated skin on a pedestal? The K-beauty shot into the mainstream and raised the standards for effective skincare, creating products impossible not to love. Today we focus on the best Korean exfoliators that will help you reveal bright, infallible skin in time, meeting your stringent pinnacle in terms of formula, texture, and effectiveness.
The best Korean exfoliators
Read on to discover the best Korean exfoliators that will make the dull look just a bad memory. Pick your favorite:
Amorepacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder
This is the best Korean exfoliator that acts gently, ideal for sensitive skin. It’s a powder that transforms into foam once activated with water, working to remove all traces of makeup, residues, and pollution as gentle and effective as possible. The cleanser formula gives mild exfoliation with green-tea enzymes and cornstarch, all while allantoin, trehalose, and sodium hyaluronate add moisture and keep dryness at bay.
Neogen Dermatology Bio Peel Gauze Peeling
These pads are soaked in a mix of glycolic, tartaric, and lactic acids that dissolve impurities and remove dead cells for clear, luminous skin. The MVP of the formula, resveratrol, not only strengthens the antioxidant defense to prevent free radical damage, but it works to brighten dark patches for an even tone. The peeling pads are never irritating as they’re filled with sodium hyaluronate and fruit extracts to hydrate and nourish.
Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Acne-prone skin types that struggle with excess oil, large pores, and blackheads, this is the best K-beauty exfoliant for you. Loaded with 4% willow bark water, plus betaine salicylate, unclogs pores and balances oil, helping prevent further blemishes in a liquid formula that you can wipe across your face twice a week. The niacinamide, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate ensure your skin won’t ever dry out but stay clear, refined, and hydrated.
Peach & Lily Super Reboot Resurfacing Mask
Exfoliate, resurface and retexturize with one of the best K-beauty exfoliators that come in a mask form. Helped by a blend of 10% glycolic acid, 0.5% salicylic acid, and blue agave (hence, the color), it de-gunks and removes dead skin, encouraging cell turnover for a smoother, evener visage. Meanwhile, the addition of hyaluronic acid, cica, aloe, and panthenol soothe the skin, leaving it radiant and glowy. The refreshing gel-like texture layers smoothly, making you look further to using it — don’t use it more than twice weekly, tho.
Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel
This stands out as the best Korean exfoliator with a natural, gentle formula that removes dead cells, excess oil, and debris with pineapple and papaya enzymes. Not only does it leaves skin clean and fresh, but it also works to trap moisture in the skin and replenish it with a blend of peptides, natural oils, and vitamin E. Everything in a lightweight, mild formula that lacks fragrances, sulfates, and parabens.
Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA Miracle Toner
With a lot of talk about over-exfoliating, no wonder you want to err on the side of caution when it comes to choosing your ideal exfoliator. Some By Mi Miracle Toner is made with papaya enzyme, salicylic acid, and lactobionic acid, packing serious results when it comes to minimizing pores look, sloughing off dead cells, and brightening skin. Not just a one-trick pony, it’s also spiked with green tea, sodium hyaluronate, allantoin, and adenosine to enhance moisture and hydration. The toner works at a 5.5 pH to balance and calm skin.
Hanskin Pore Cleansing Oil – AHA
Glycolic and lactic acids get the biggest hype among AHAs, and this cleansing oil has them both. It’s the best Korean exfoliator in an oil-like cleanser form that gets rid of makeup, sebum, and debris, entering the pores to unclog and minimize their appearance. Additionally, the formula packs a punch of botanical oils, vitamin E, and amino acids to keep skin moist and soft while preserving hydration. Gentle enough for daily use.
Skinfood Black Sugar Wash-Off Face Mask
A great exfoliator doesn’t have to cost the earth. Skinfood’s exfoliating mask is made with black sugar (sucrose) to gently buff away dull and dead cells, whilst macadamia seed oil, shea butter, and vitamin E leave your complexion softer and smoother than ever. As an added bonus, the exfoliant mask smells amazing, besides being super effective at polishing and refreshing skin.
