In this post, we will discuss the best Korean exfoliators for combination skin.

We choose each exfoliator based on how many times people have used and recommended it. They are also suitable for all combination skin types like oily, acne-prone, dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin.

They contain AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, and ingredients that moisturize the skin without irritating it.

They are also free from PEGs, silicones, fragrances, alcohol, and essential oils.

Note: you can use these exfoliators once or twice a week depending on the amount of irritation you experience.

This is a good Korean exfoliator to use for combination skin (for eg. oily, acne-prone in the T-zone + dry skin on the cheeks) and a lot of people have recommended it.

Pros:

• It is very gentle and prevents breakouts

• It has BHA that does the exfoliation and provides oil control.

• It contains panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, and niacinamide that moisturizes the skin.

• It clears clogged pores like blackheads.

• It reduces acne scars.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Willow Bark Water, Butylene Glycol, Betaine Salicylate, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Arginine, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol.

This is a leave-on black sugar mask that exfoliates and moisturizes the skin at the same time. This mask makes it suitable for combination skin (for eg. oily, dry, and sensitive skin).

Pros:

• It effectively exfoliates clogged pores and removes dead skin cells.

• It is made with black sugar, macadamia seed oil, meadowfoam seed oil, and shea butter to nourish, moisturize and improve skin complexion.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Sucrose, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Glycerin, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Lanolin, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Shea Butter, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Caramel, Sorbitan Laurate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Water, Fragrance.

This is one Korean exfoliator we highly recommend for combination skin out there and has positive reviews. It uses glycolic acid (4%) and lactic acid (4%) to exfoliate dead flaky skin. To combat the dryness, it contains centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid.

Pros:

• It is suitable for all skin types including combination skin as it can exfoliate, soothe, and moisturize the skin at the same time.

• It does not damage and irritate the skin barrier.

• It helps to unclog pores like blackheads and whiteheads.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Potassium Hydroxide, Licorice Root Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Matricaria Flower Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Lavender Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Asiaticoside, Dextrin, Panthenol, Madecassoside, Allantoin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycereth-25 PCA Isostearate, Hydroxyethylcellulose.

If you have combination skin that is oily, dehydrated, and sensitive skin, then this peeling gel is something we highly recommend because it contains 10 kinds of hyaluronic acid compounds!

Pros:

• It offers gentle and mild exfoliation.

• It is formulated with 10 types of hyaluronic acids.

• It strengthens the skin’s moisture barrier and controls the skin’s oil and sebum production. 

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Glycerin, Cellulose, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, C12-14 Pareth-12, 1,2-Hexanediol, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Caprylyl Glycol, Betaine, Orange Peel Oil, Lavender Oil, Disodium EDTA, Soybean Seed Extract, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Propanediol, Octanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Lime Fruit Extract, Orange Fruit Extract, Lemon Fruit Extract, Paeonia Suffruticosa Root Extract, Apple Fruit Extract, Grape Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Potassium Hyaluronate.

This is a Korean exfoliator that contains 8% of lactic acid.

Pros:

• It is gentle and non-irritating.

• It is suitable for all skin types including combination skin.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water and Lactic Acid 

Dr. Jart’s brilliant Micro Milk Peel is an all-in-one peel that helps to combat congestion, dryness, anti-aging, and dullness.

This makes it suitable for combination skin that is oily, dehydrated, or sensitive.

Pros:

• It consists of lactic acid, lactobionic acid, citric acid, and salicylic acid.

• It contains hydrogen bio water, alongside dead sea salt and conditioning coconut water, that exfoliates to soothe irritation while loosening dead surface cells.

• It also contains polyglutamic acid and sodium hyaluronate to attract and retain precious moisture, as well as glycerin and panthenol to bolster the skin’s resilience.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water/Eau, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Safflower Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Steareth-2, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cyclohexasiloxane, Apple Fruit Water, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Protease, Algin, Salicylic Acid, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glutathione, Panthenol, Sea Salt/Sel marin, Propylene Glycol, Lactic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Flower Extract, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Theanine, Crataegus Monogyna Flower Extract, Milk Lipids/Lipides du lait, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Viola Tricolor Extract.

A peeling gel suitable for all skin types including combination skin.

Pros:

• It contains lemon water and extract, that softly scrubs away keratin, sebum, and impurities to make skin feel fresh and dewy.
• It also contains plant extracts from centella, aloe, witch hazel, and chamomile that help soothe sensitive skin.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Purified Water, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cellulose, Proplene Glycol, Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract, Pasqueflower Extract, Usnea Extract, Carbomer, Polysorbate 80, Lemon Water, Lemon Extract, Sparkling Water, Green Tea Water, Hollyhock Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Centella Extract, Papaya Extract, Hydrolized Collagen, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rice Extract, Brown Algae Extract, Broccolie Extract, Portulaca Extract, Camomile Extract, 1, 2-hexandiol, Disodium EDTA, Perfume.

This is a sleeping mask that exfoliates dead skin cells and provides skin moisture at the same time.

Pros:

• It provides skin moisture and soothing with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and panthenol. PHA and Willow Bark clear up dead skin cells, leaving the skin smooth and calm.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Purified Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cyclohexasiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Polyglyceryl-3Methylglucose Distearate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Trehalose, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyltaurate, Carbomer, Isododecane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate/Vpicopolymer, Dicaprylyl Ether, Sodium Methyl Stearoyl Taurate, Panthenol, Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract, Tromethamine, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Dipropylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Dilaurate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Gluconolactone, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, 1,2-Hexanediol, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Caprylyl Glycol, Phytosphingosine, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetylethylhexanoate, Ethylhexyl Palmitate.

This is a gentle, low-irritant Korean exfoliator containing 5% mandelic acid that is suitable for all skin types including combination skin.

Pros:

• It contains 5% mandelic acid which is gentle and non-irritating.

• It contains panthenol, centella asiatica extract, and beta-glucan that supply moisture to the skin after peeling and also help regulate sebum production.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Mandelic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, Licorice Root Extract, Sweet Almond Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Centella Asiatica Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Sorbitol, Dimethyl Sulfone, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Citrate, Arginine, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Natto Gum, Carbomer.

This is a mild exfoliant that effectively removes dead skin cells for smooth, supple skin.

Pros:

• It helps with dead skin cell removal, skin soothing, skin clearness, brightening, hydrating power, sebum regulation, and skin texture refinement.

• It contains PHAs that gently remove dead skin cells without irritating sensitive skin while allantoin helps to soothe skin.

• It has a Natural Moisturizing Factor complex that helps maintain moisture in the skin for long-lasting hydrated skin even after peeling.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Gluconolactone, Propanediol, Diethoxyethyl Succinate, Arginine, Panthenol, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Polyglutamic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Beta-Glucan, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Disodium EDTA, Cordyceps Sinensis Extract, Trametes Versicolor Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Fructose, Urea, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Maltose, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, Sodium PCA, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Lactate, Trehalose, Glucose.

• Axis-Y 10% PHA Resurfacing Glow Peel

• COSRX BHA blackhead power liquid

• Creme Shop Gold peeling gel

• Dr. G Brightening Peeling Gel

• HANSKIN – Real Complexion Hyaluron Exfoliating AHA Treatment

• ISNTREE – Chestnut BHA 2% Clear Liquid

• NEOGEN – Dermalogy Real Cica Pad

• Isntree Clear Skin PHA Sleeping Mask

• Stratia Soft Touch AHA

• Purito ABP Triple Synergy Liquid

• Purederm Clean & Fresh Peeling Gel

COSRX and ISNTREE – Chestnut are some products we recommend.

Missha, Dr.Jart+, Wishtrend, and CNP are some other options.