10 Best Korean Face Exfoliators for Soft Velvety Skin

Are you looking for a simple-but-effective solution to get clear skin? Wan to prevent clogged pores which may lead to breakouts, blackheads, and enlarged pores? We hope you love the products we recommend!

Facial exfoliators are products that remove the buildup of dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, which can contribute to dullness and uneven skin tone, so your skin looks healthy and youthful.

What are the different types of face exfoliators?

There are two types of exfoliation: physical exfoliators, which act on the outer layers of the face, and common mechanical peeling include facial scrubs, microdermabrasion treatments, cleansing cloths or flannels, and brushes used to manually rub the skin with salt, grains, bristles or fibers.

Liquid chemical peels, on the other hand, are exfoliating acids in various concentrations that penetrate deeper into the skin and work from the inside out. Think of the famous The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Exfoliating Solution or Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

Some examples of chemical peels include alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs, glycolic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs, salicylic acid), as well as poly hydroxy acids (PHAs, lactobionic acid and gluconolactone). For sensitive skin, you can use formulas with lactic acid or fruit enzymes - such as pumpkin, pineapple or papaya enzymes.

(A related blog post: How to properly exfoliate your face for smooth, healthy Skin?)

⭐  Best Korean physical exfoliators for dull, dry skin

Huxley Sweet Therapy Scrub Mask

A purifying scrub mask helps buff away dead skin cells with natural ingredients to reveal a clean, soft appearance. Formulated with natural exfoliants such as sucrose and walnut shell powder for gentle exfoliation.

The main ingredient, prickly pear seed oil and cactus extract, has a powerful antioxidant effect and helps to nourish, hydrate, calm and cool the skin.

❤️  Shop Now for Huxley Sweet Therapy Face Scrub 

Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel

This Obagi-type scrub offers deep moisture while removing unwanted skin cells and makeup residue. Filled with betaine salicylate, extracted from sugar beet and allantoin from comfrey leaf and root, which provides soothing and healing effect.

Free of parabens, synthetic fragrances and dyes, this hypoallergenic exfoliating gel has a gel-like texture that transforms into a milky foam upon contact with water.

❤️ Shop Now for Pyunkang Yul Peeling Gel

Dr. G Brightening Peel Gel

This mild scrub thoroughly sloughs all dead skin cells with natural cellulose granules that contain rich moisture, making the skin very smooth and helping to eliminate dark spots.

Vitamins C and black willow provide a clean skin and visibly brighter skin tone, while moisturizing ingredients such as honey, trehalose and olive oil nourish the skin. Ideal for all skin types.

Klavuu Pure Pearlsation Revitalizing Intensive Peeling Gel 

An effective yet non-irritating exfoliating solution is formulated with ECOCERT-certified cellulose from pine trees. It effectively peel away dead skin cells and waste, improves skin texture, and restores your natural glow and radiance.

This microplastic-free formula contains Korean pearl extract and a nutrient-rich seaweed complex that hydrates, brightens and replenish the skin's moisture barrier. Suitable for all skin types. 

❤️  Shop Now for Klavuu Revitalizing Peeling Gel

⭐ Best Korean chemical exfoliators for oily, acne-prone skin

Benton Aloe BHA Toner

Powered with 80% Aloe barbadensis leaf extract to hydrate and soothe irritated, dry and troubled skin. Snail secretion filtrate repairs damaged skin, improves skin texture and tone, whilist BHA eliminates flakes, dead skin cells and impurities.

This soothing toner is made of gentle and clean ingredients, making it suitable for all skin types—especially sensitive, dehydrated, red and blemished skin.

❤️  Shop Now for Benton Aloe BHA Toner

Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA 30 Days Miracle Toner

This toner is currently one of the most popular in the global beauty market, especially in Southeast Asia. The mix of AHAs, BHAs and PHAs work together to slough off dead skin cells and excess sebum while preventing breakouts.

In addition, this multi-tasking toner contains tea tree extract, which acts as a zit zapper and pore purifier, contributing to clearer, healthier-looking skin.

❤️  Shop Now for Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA Exfoliating Toner

Cosrx AC Collection Calming Liquid Intensive/Mild

An upgraded version of Natural BHA Skin Returning A-Sol, a fast-acting liquid is a hypoallergenic exfoliator that speeds up the calming process of cystic acne, blemishes. 

With the CentellAC-RX formula, which contains three legendary soothing ingredients—Madecassic acid, Asiaticoside and Asiatic acid.

With 60% propolis extract, BHA, zinc PCA and AHA, this chemical peel helps maintain the skin's oil and moisture balance while clarifying and repairing damaged skin. 

❤️  Shop Now for Cosrx AC Collection Intensive / Calming Liquid Mild

Isntree Clear Skin BHA Toner

Great for oily, combination and acne-prone skin, this toner contains natural exfoliants—Salix Alba (willow bark extract) and betain salicylate, a blend of salicylic acid and betaine derived from beet. 

The seaweeds complex - hijiki, sea staghorn, sea trumpet and agar—is loaded with numerous vital nutrients and minerals that help detoxify and improve overall skin condition.

This gentle exfoliator gets rid of unnecessary keratin inside the pores to make skin clearer and more radiant, and enhances the absorption of active ingredients in the next steps of the skin care routine.

❤️  Shop Now for Isntree BHA Toner

<Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner

Although this is a high-acid formulation, this is a very mild toner that can be used for all skin types. Enriched with 10 percent willow bark water and glycolic acid, which provides gentle exfoliation to improve skin clarity and resurface skin.

Featuring natural mineral water, panthenol and allantoin to soothe and hydrate the skin. This gentle peeling solution helps reveal a brighter, clearer complexion while minimizing the appearance of blackheads, whiteheads and pimples. 

❤️  Shop Now for Cosrx AHA BHA Clarifying Toner

Cosrx Two in One Poreless Power Liquid

This pore-tightening toner cleanses and clears up congestion, impurities and excess sebum with beta salicylate, a gentler form of salicylic acid (beta hydroxy acid). 

Filled with willow bark water that also contains BHA, which acts as a natural exfoliant to minimize the appearance of enlarged pores and blackheads, leaving skin looking visibly clearer and feeling smoother.

❤️  Shop Now for Cosrx Poleless Liquid