Korean skincare has some of the most highly regarded exfoliating products in two categories - wash off masks and peeling gels. The wash off mask is your standard thick product, usually with some type of bead or rough product that helps scrape off every last bit of yuck.
They work wonders, but recently, a new type of exfoliator has been taking over the exfoliation market: the peeling gel. They're one of the more innovative products to come out of K-beauty, and are especially gaining in popularity among skincare addicts with sensitive or dry skin who want the intense reboot of a exfoliating scrub without the harsh microbeads
If you're a U.S. consumer, you're really going to like these peeling gels once the microbead ban goes into effect and those little exfoliating beads are officially off shelves.
When you hear the word peeling, your mind might go to second grade, when you would pour some Elmer's glue all over your hand, let it dry, and then try to convince your teacher that your skin was coming off in layers. Fortunately (or unfortunately, maybe?) that's not quite how Korean peeling gels work. You use a little bit of gel, massage it all over your face, and watch as your dead skin cells peel off in tiny, gel-like balls.
Wash all those balls of excess oil, dirt, and sebums away, and underneath will be younger, fresher, and more glowing skin that's ready to take on the day.
Here are some of the best (and most fun!) to use:
Mizon Apple Smoothie Peeling Gel
This is one of the most popular peeling gels in Korea. That's partly because its herb and fruit scent is great, partly because it's affordable, and partly because - most importantly - it works like a charm.
NEOGEN BioPeel Gauze Peeling Wine
This is a slightly different take on the peeling gel. This package comes with about 30 gauzy pads that are soaked in skincare boosters including Resveratrol, a fermented product from red wine that is believed to have powerful anti-aging and antioxidant properties. It's a double whammy: gently wipe a pad across your face, pampering it with Resveratrol and other vitamins; then look down on the gauze - you'll see your dead skin gone from your face for good.
MISSHA Super Aqua Detoxifying Peeling Gel
This is a good one for people that want to try peeling gels but also have skin that can hold up to a bit of a harsher detox. It moisturizes and really leaves the skin completely renewed, but users with sensitive skin have reported having slightly irritated skin afterwards, so only use it if you know your skin is super soaked with excess gunk and up for an overhaul.
Skinfood Pineapple Morning Peeling Gel
This hits all the Skinfood principles: it smells fresh and fantastic, it's affordable, and it works really, really well. This is a great price point and is fantastic for all skin types, making skin feel super fresh afterwards.
