Choosing the Right Exfoliator for Your Skin Type with Korean Skincare
Posted by Skinsider Team on 17th Oct 2025
Exfoliation is a key step in maintaining healthy, radiant skin, as it removes dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover. Selecting the right exfoliator tailored to your skin type ensures optimal results and minimizes the risk of irritation. Here’s a guide to choosing the perfect exfoliator based on your skin type, featuring top Korean skincare products available on Skinsider UK.
1. Dry Skin
Characteristics: Feels tight, appears dull, and may have flaky patches.
Recommended Exfoliator: Opt for gentle exfoliants that also provide hydration. Lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA), exfoliates while moisturizing the skin.
Product Suggestion: COSRX AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
2. Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Characteristics: Prone to excess sebum production, enlarged pores, blackheads, and breakouts.
Recommended Exfoliator: Beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), like salicylic acid, penetrate deep into pores to remove excess oil and impurities: COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
Recommended Exfoliator: Fine oat particles gently exfoliate and help clear pores without stripping the skin. The non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and essential oil-free formula reduces the risk of irritation or breakouts, while the gentle exfoliation helps prevent clogged pores: PURITO Oat In Gentle Exfoliating Face Cleanser
3. Combination Skin
Characteristics: A mix of oily and dry areas, typically an oily T-zone (forehead, nose, chin) and dry cheeks.
Recommended Exfoliator: A balanced formula containing both AHAs and BHAs helps manage oiliness and dryness simultaneously: COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
Recommended Exfoliator: A gentle peel-off mask with soothing botanicals and exfoliating actives helps manage oiliness and dryness simultaneously:APRILSKIN Real Calendula Peel Off Pack
4. Sensitive Skin
Characteristics: Easily irritated, often reacting with redness, itching, or burning sensations.
Recommended Exfoliator: Mild exfoliants with soothing ingredients. Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) provide gentle exfoliation with minimal irritation: By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water
Recommended Exfoliator: Ideal for sensitive skin because its gommage-type formula gently rolls away dead skin cells without harsh scrubbing. Enriched with 19% plum flower water and soothing plant extracts, it exfoliates while keeping the skin hydrated and calm: Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel
5. Normal Skin
Characteristics: Well-balanced, neither too oily nor too dry, with minimal imperfections.
Recommended Exfoliator: Mild exfoliator that removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores without irritation, keeping the skin healthy, smooth, and radian.
Product Suggestion: AXIS-Y PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel & AXIS-Y Daily Purifying Treatment Toner
General Exfoliation Tips:
✅ Frequency: Exfoliate 1-2 times per week to avoid irritation and over-exfoliation.
✅ Patch Test: Always test new exfoliators on a small area to check for reactions.
✅ Sun Protection: Exfoliation can increase skin sensitivity to the sun—use a broad-spectrum SPF daily.
The key to effective exfoliation is selecting a K-beauty exfoliator suited to your specific skin type and concerns. Whether you're dealing with dryness, acne, or sensitivity, Korean skincare offers innovative solutions to help you achieve a smoother, healthier, and more radiant complexion.
Explore these top Korean beauty exfoliators on Skinsider UK and give your skin the glow it deserves!
