Get (and Maintain) Glass Skin With the Best Korean Exfoliants
Compared to some Korean skin-care products (looking at you, sunscreen), the best Korean exfoliators tend to fly under the radar. Infused in cleansers, toners, and even essences, K-beauty’s exfoliating ingredients are often gentle and appear alongside hydrators to keep skin comfortable, while still delivering their brightening, smoothing, and resurfacing benefits. That’s partly because it’s an easy way to get (and maintain) glass skin. But it’s also in keeping with the Korean ethos of consistent support over a no-holds-barred barrage of actives.
Vogue’s Favorite Korean Exfoliants
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“In Korea, exfoliation is viewed as a gentle, consistent part of maintaining healthy skin,” says Charlotte Cho, esthetician and founder of Soko Glam. “The focus is on keeping the skin barrier intact while revealing smoother, brighter skin over time.” As with Korean retinols, using exfoliants that are mild enough to be used daily can ultimately maximize your glow while minimizing sensitivity. With that in mind, here’s what experts recommend.
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Best Chemical Exfoliant: Innisfree Green Tea Enzyme 7% PHA Gentle Exfoliating Toner
- Why We Love It: Among gentle exfoliants, it’s hard to beat Innisfree’s Green Tea Derived Enzyme Toner, which eschews the usual alpha and beta hydroxy acids for polyhydroxy acid, or PHA. PHA has a larger molecular size, which encourages it to exfoliate dead skin cells more slowly. In this formula, it’s paired with green tea and hyaluronic acid to “to hydrate, exfoliate, and soothe the skin,” says Dr. Y. Claire Chang, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York, NY, who says that for this reason, it’s ideal for all, including those with dry or sensitive skin. For that reason, we consider it among the best face exfoliants, full stop—Korean or otherwise.
- Editor’s Experience: “I can always count on this Innisfree toner to get my skin baby soft and smooth after just one use. I love that I can use it without the fear of irritation. Pairing the PHA and enzyms with hyaluronic acid and green tea was smart on their part, to keep the formula balanced.” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Polyhydroxy acid, green tea, hyaluronic acid
- Type: Chemical
- Size: 150 ml
Best Physical Exfoliant: Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel
- Why We Love It: Physical exfoliation isn’t common in Korea—but when you do see it, it’s usually in the form of a peeling gel. This type of formula uses a gommage technique, meaning it creates clumps of dead skin cells (and other debris) on the skin when you massage it in. Beauty of Joseon’s version uses cotton-derived cellulose to slough away debris gently but effectively, as well as nearly 20% plum blossom water—naturally brimming with polyphenols—to brighten and hydrate skin.
- Key Ingredients: Prunus mume flower water, cellulose, rice extract
- Type: Physical
- Size: 100 ml
Best Peel Pads: Medicube Zero Pore Pads
- Why We Love It: Medicube Zero Pore Pads has a lot going for it: Namely, Dr. Chang likes that the exfoliating pads are both easy to use and gentle on skin, thanks to the combination of “low-dose AHA and BHA to refine pores and smooth texture,” she says. The alpha hydroxy acids are courtesy of both lactic acid (arguably the gentlest AHA out there) and fruit extracts, while white willow bark serves as a natural source of BHA. They’re also dual-sided, so you can use the textured side for additional physical exfoliation or a soft, smooth side for hydration.
- Key Ingredients: Lactic acid, white willow bark extract, cypress tree leaf extract
- Type: Chemical and physical
- Size: 70 or 100 pads
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
- Why We Love It: For those with congested skin, the CosRx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is potent enough to keep pores clear without overly stripping skin. Thanks to a combination of 0.1% glycolic acid (a comparatively low concentration) and betaine salicylate (a derivative of salicylic acid), the toner is able “to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reduce blemishes,” says Dr. Chang. “After regular use, it can leave the skin glowing and radiant.” Despite its acid-heavy lineup, however, she’s found that even those with sensitive skin tend to tolerate it well—possibly due to the inclusion of soothing allantoin and panthenol.
- Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, beta hydroxy acid, willow bark water, apple fruit water, allantoin, panthenol
- Type: Chemical
- Size: 150 ml
Best for Oily Skin: Some by Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30Days Miracle Toner
- Why We Love It: Some By Mi’s aptly named Miracle Toner is about as powerful and acid-packed as it gets among Korean exfoliants. It pairs alpha, beta, and polyhydroxy acids to refine skin and slough away dead skin cells, “as well as niacinamide to boost skin cell turnover, brighten the skin, and reduce hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Chang, who’s a fan. The niacinamide and tea tree extract also serve to control excess sebum production, leaving skin clean and balanced but not overly dry.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, tea tree extract
- Type: Chemical
- Size: 150 ml
Best for Sensitive Skin: Anua Heartleaf 77% Toner Pads
- Why We Love It: Anua’s Heartleaf 77 Toner Pads are as easygoing as exfoliants get, thanks in part to its emphasis on heartleaf water, a calming herbal ingredient that refreshes and hydrates. But it still exfoliates with polyhydroxy acid, keeping pores clear and skin, impossibly radiant. For those seeking more elbow grease, one side of the pad is embossed in order to provide mild physical exfoliation.
- Key Ingredients: Heartleaf extract 77%, evening primrose extract, centella asiatica extract
- Type: Chemical and physical
- Size: 70 pads
Best for Dry Skin: Mixsoon Bean Essence
- Why We Love It: Essences are best known for delivering instant hydration, but Mixsoon’s formula bridges the gap with its eponymous bean essence—technically, soybean ferment extract. The ingredient has innate resurfacing properties, allowing the formula to remove dead skin cells and smooth uneven skin texture. All of the ingredients—including barley, pomegranate, and pear—have been fermented, which breaks molecules into smaller compounds so they better penetrate skin.
- Editor’s Experience: “If you know me, you’re familiar with my love of an essence. Of the one’s I keep in my vanity, Mixsoon’s is a frontrunner. I quite like the sticky texture that first sits on skin’s surface and sinks in after a few seconds to lock in moisture. The sensorial aspect is what initially drew me to it, though the results kept me reaching for it. Who new a cocktail of ferments could diminish enlarged pores overnight?” —Kiana Murden, senior beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Soybean ferment, barley ferment, pomegranate ferment, pear juice ferment
- Type: Chemical
- Size: 50 ml
Best for Mature Skin: Amorepacific Treatment Enzyme Peel Cleansing Powder
- Why We Love It: Celebrity esthetician and founder of Peach & Lily Alicia Yoon has described this powder as a “classic”—as well as a worthy addition to your evening Korean skin-care routine. Dispense it, add water, and watch it transform into a satisfying foam, which lightly exfoliates with enzymes derived from green tea (which are even gentler than acids). Hyaluronic acid and cotton extract keep skin comfortable, leaving it extra clean but not squeaky.
- Key Ingredients: Green tea-derived enzymes, hyaluronic acid, cotton extract
- Type: Chemical and physical
- Size: 1.9 fl. oz.
Best for Dullness: Neogen Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling Green Tea
- Why We Love It: Cho has raved about these peel pads for years. “They’re one of the most iconic exfoliating products in K-beauty for a reason,” she says. “I love how the dual-textured pads give you the satisfaction of a physical exfoliant, but are soaked in a gentle essence that keeps the skin smooth and glowy without over-stripping.” Green tea and Centella asiatica (you might recognize it as cica) soothe redness and offset discoloration, leaving skin more radiant over time.
- Key Ingredients: Green tea extract, Centella asiatica, tea tree extract, tea tree oil
- Type: Chemical and physical
- Size: 30 pads
Best for Compromised Skin: S.Nature Aqua Oasis Toner
- Why We Love It: If you have extremely sensitive skin or a condition like eczema, exfoliation can seem fraught. That’s not the case with S.Nature’s Aqua Oasis Toner, which swaps the typical suspects for a blend of PHA and papaya enzymes. It’s paired with eight molecular weights of hyaluronic acid as well as panthenol, which conditions and softens skin. Just as noteworthy is what’s not inside—namely, surfactants, preservatives, and artificial fragrances. The toner has also been tested to be hypoallergenic, too.
- Key Ingredients: Gluconolactone, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, papain
- Type: Chemical
- Size: 210 or 300 ml
Best for Redness: SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Toning Toner
- Why We Love It: Another PHA-powered exfoliant, Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Toning Toner counters any potential for irritation or redness with the titular Centella asiatica extract, also known as cica, which has long been used for its anti-inflammatory properties. (You’ll also find niacinamide, yet another ingredient that soothes skin.) That means it actively calms skin as it brightens and smooths, making it ideal for breakout-prone and sensitive skin types alike.
- Key Ingredients: Gluconolactone, Centella asiatica, niacinamide
- Type: Chemical
- Size: 210 or 400 ml
Best for Dark Spots: Haruharu Centella 3% PHA Gentle Liquid Exfoliating Serum
- Why We Love It: Not surprisingly, PHA is a mainstay among Korean exfoliants. Less common, however, is vitamin C. Haruharu Wonder’s exfoliating serum uses orange water, which is naturally rich in the nutrient, to offer additional brightening power apt for awakening dull skin. Meanwhile, Centella asiatica calms skin and keeps it comfortable for a balanced, radiance-enhancing treatment.
- Key Ingredients: Orange water, gluconolactone, Centella asiatica
- Type: Chemical
- Size: 120 ml
Everything You Need to Know
What are the benefits of exfoliating?
Exfoliation works on multiple levels to refine and resurface skin—making it one of the most impactful steps in any skin-care routine. At its most basic, “exfoliation helps to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells in the stratum corneum, promoting skin cell turnover and revealing brighter, smoother and more even-toned skin,” says Dr. Chang.
It can also clear debris from pores, which helps reduce whiteheads, blackheads, and other forms of acne. And in helping shed those dead skin cells that would otherwise pile up on skin’s surface, “exfoliation can also help improve the absorption of active ingredients like vitamin C or retinoids,” she says.
What do Koreans exfoliate with?
Unlike Western exfoliation habits—which tend to be more aggressive—“Korean skin-care routines emphasize the regular use of gentler topicals to achieve radiant skin without irritation,” says Dr. Chang. One big point of difference is that in the U.S., many formulations tend to focus on correcting issues, be they acne, dullness, or dark spots.
However, Koreans prioritize prevention and consistency. As a result, “you’ll rarely find harsh scrubs or aggressive peels,” says Cho. “The majority of K-beauty exfoliants use mild chemical exfoliants such as PHA, because they clear dead skin cells without irritation.” Fermented enzymes and natural fruit extracts are also popular, since they tend to be well tolerated even by those with sensitive skin, according to Dr. Chang.
Should you exfoliate daily?
How often you exfoliate ultimately depends on your skin type and the sort of exfoliant you’re using. For example, if you have dry or sensitive skin, exfoliating once or twice a week with a mild acid may suffice, says Dr. Chang. Meanwhile, “for those with oily or acne-prone skin, people may tolerate light daily exfoliation with ingredients like salicylic acid,” she says.
Ultimately, the strength of your exfoliant plays a large role. “Higher strength exfoliants should be used less frequently, while very gentle exfoliators could be used daily in those who tolerate it well,” says Dr. Chang. If you’re using a Korean exfoliant, then it’s likely gentle enough to use daily or every other day (but again, that depends). Ultimately, she says, “the key is to monitor for signs of over-exfoliation—like stinging, redness, flaking, or tightness—and adjust the frequency accordingly.”
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to the best Korean exfoliator, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, exfoliant type, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
