Best Korean Beauty Manual Exfoliators

Chemical exfoliators might be having a moment in skincare these days, but sometimes you just want a good old-fashioned scrub.

These are the best Korean Beauty manual exfoliators to take care of congestion and enlarged pores to nip pimples in the bud and keep skin glossy and smooth.

Manual vs Chemical Exfoliation

Whereas manual exfoliants rely on the use of small grains or a brush, chemical exfoliants rely on – you guessed it – chemicals to do the work of exfoliation.

There are a couple types of chemical exfoliants, including AHAs, a type of acid that remove the “glue” that holds dead skin cells together, and BHAs, oil-soluble molecules that reach deeper into the skin and pores and are perfect for acne prone, oily skin.

Manual exfoliants frequently include particles that help remove sebum and oil and offer a very different exfoliation experience as you can feel them going to work. Unlike chemical exfoliants, the results are also immediate.

Here are some of our K-Beauty favourites for manual exfoliants that will leave your skin silky smooth and feeling instantly refreshed:

Our Favourite K-Beauty Manual Exfoliators

Beauty of Joseon Apricot Peeling Gel

From the company that bought us one of Australia’s best-selling Korean Beauty moisturisers comes this refreshing peeling gel. 

Beauty of Joseon’s peeling gel is made with spring apricot blossom, plum and apple extracts. It gently pills to remove remnants of dirt, sebum, makeup and more.

Jelly Ko Cinnamon Toast Sugar Scrub Foam

We love sugary cinnamon treats, so we made one for our skin too! Cinnamon Toast Sugar Scrub Foam is a 100% customizable cleanser & exfoliant in one - choose between both at every routine.

2 Products in 1 - 100% Customizable

As a Cleanser: Dissolve the sugar crystals in your palms first, before applying the foam to a wet face. Voila - it's a regular cleanser!

As an Exfoliant: Apply the scrub to a damp face and gently massage it in. Voila - it exfoliates, dissolving the dirt and debris clogging pores. Watch it melt into a creamy foam that thoroughly cleanses.

Skinfood Black Sugar Wash Off Mask

If you're after something with chunkier grains than Jelly Ko's Sugar Scrub you'll love this option from Skinfood. 

The black sugar grains in the mask are much thicker, so work as a superb manual exfoliator. Thanks to its hydrating shea butter and lanolin content, skin is left feeling hydrated and smooth.

It leaves your skin feeling like an eggshell – smooth and glossy.

What's your favourite K-Beauty exfoliant? Drop it in the comments below. 

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