In this post, we will discuss the best Korean exfoliators for oily, acne-prone skin.

We choose each exfoliator based on how many times people have used and recommended it. They help to remove whiteheads, blackheads, and congested pores associated with oily, acne-prone skin.

They contain AHAs, BHAs, and ingredients that exfoliate and moisturize the skin without irritating or damaging it.

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

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

This is a really good Korean exfoliator for oily, acne-prone skin and a lot of people have recommended it. It has BHA and niacinamide that exfoliates the skin gently and provides oil control.

Pros:

• It is gentle and helps prevent breakouts.

• It clears clogged pores like blackheads.

• It reduces acne scars.

• It balances oil production.

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 another Korean exfoliator that should be suitable for oily, acne-prone skin.

Pros:

• It contains 2% of salicylic acid that gently removes dead skin cells, and blackheads, and increases skin cell turnover.

• It contains hyaluronic acid to enhance skin barrier function.

• It has tannin extracts from chestnuts that result in refined pores, and reduced appearance.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Butylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Salicylic Acid, Chestnut Shell Extract, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Biosaccharide Gum-1, Ethylhexylglycerin, Xanthan Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Willow Bark Extract, Allantoin.

This is an AHA version formulated with 7% Glycolic Acid, the toner gently exfoliates the skin and helps reveal a radiant, even-toned complexion.

Pros:

• It clears whiteheads, uneven skin texture, and tiny, white bumps.

• It promotes skin cell turnover and removes dead skin cell.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Apple Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycolic Acid, Niacinamide, Sodium Hydroxide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Ethyl Hexanediol

This is one Korean exfoliator that we would highly recommend for oily, acne-prone skin. It uses glycolic acid (4%) and lactic acid (4%) that exfoliates dead flaky skin. It also contains centella asiatica and hyaluronic acid that soothes and moisturizes the skin, therefore, preventing irritation.

Pros:

• It contains ingredients that can exfoliate and moisturize the skin at the same time without damaging and irritating the skin barrier.

• It helps to unclog pores and brighten dull skin.

• It does not irritate the skin.

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

This is a Korean exfoliator that contains 10% of mandelic acid and should be suitable if have sensitive oily, acne-prone skin.

Pros:

• It helps clear clogged pores while brightening the skin. It also soothes the skin with ingredients like chamomile, aloe, and allantoin.

• It is free of fragrance, alcohol, and essential oils.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Mandelic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Panthenol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Chamomile Flower Extract, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate.

This is a Korean exfoliator that is suitable for all skin types including oily, acne-prone skin. It uses AHA, BHA, and PHA, and healthy and effective natural ingredients, e.g. hyaluronic acid, 80% apple water, and panthenol to exfoliate and moisturize the skin.

Pros:

• It is suitable for all skin types.

• It exfoliates, moisturizes, and soothes without irritating the skin barrier.

• It is certified with only EWG Green Level 1 – 2 ingredients.

• It is free from alcohol.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Apple Fruit Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Glycerin, Gluconolactone, 1,2-Hexanediol, Mandelic Acid, Betaine,  Salicylate, Arginine, Poncirus, Trifoliata Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Caprylyl　
Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Polyglyceryl-10 Myristate, Panthenol,  Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Perilla Ocymoides Seed Extract.

This is a low-irritation brightening peeling gel for tired, sensitive, and hyperpigmented skin. It is also suitable for oily, acne-prone skin.

Pros:

• It contains low, medium, and high cellulose particle concentrations that remove old and fine dead skin cells from the skin.

• HyalVita provides hydration and contains low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and patented vitamin C, which moisturizes and revitalizes the skin.

• It protects and provides barrier strength and has low irritation on the skin.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Cellulose, Dipropylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Propanediol, Arginine, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glycosphingolipids, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Ascorbic Acid, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Potassium Hyaluronate.

This is a gold peel-off mask that tightens the skin and effectively draws out blackheads, whiteheads, dirt, and excess oil to leave your skin fresh.

Pros:

• It is suitable for all skin types, especially oily, acne-prone skin types.

• It contains collagen to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Gold is a premium antioxidant that calms inflammation.

• It is paraben and sulfate-free.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Alcohol, PEG-90, 1,2-Hexanediol, Gold, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Glycine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Lavender Extract, Rosemary Extract, Thyme Extract, Origanum Vulgare Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Aspartic Acid, Leucine, Alanine, Lysine, Arginine, Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine, Proline, Isoleucine, Histidine, Methionine, Cysteine, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Mica , Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Acrylates Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide, Tromethamine, Cellulose Gum, Ferric Oxide, Fragrance

This is a 10% PHA gel-water peel that gently exfoliates the skin and clears the pores.

Pros:

• It deals with skin concerns like acne, pores, and dull skin tone.

• It contains extracts from 5 different fruits and vegetables.

• It contains 10% of gluconolactone that gently exfoliates the skin without irritating the skin barrier.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

Water, Butylene Glycol, Gluconolactone (10%), Glycerin, Tromethamine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Acrylic Acid/MA Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexulglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Caprylyl Glycol, Camellia Japonica Flower Extract, Carica Papaya.

This exfoliator contains 10% of glycolic acid and lactic acid along with four forms of hyaluronic acid to reveal glowing, glass skin.

Pros:

• It exfoliates and moisturizes the skin, so you don’t have to worry about irritation.

• It is free from talc, sulfate, silicone, and fragrance.

Cons:

• None.

What ingredients does it contain?

All Ingredients: Water, Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Panthenol, Sodium PCA, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Caprylyl Glycol, Xanthan Gum, Ethylhexylglycerin, Bergamot Fruit Oil, Orange Peel Oil, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Glycol, Hydrolyzed Glycosaminoglycans, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Hydroxypropyltrimonium Hyaluronate, Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate.

• Missha – Super Aqua Ultra Hyaluron Peeling Gel (highly recommend)

• Benton PHA Peeling Toner

• CNP Invisible Peeling Booster Essence

• Dr. Jart’s Milk Peel

• Garden of Wisdom’s 5% lactic acid

• NEOGEN – Dermalogy Real Cica Pad

• Isntree Clear Skin PHA Sleeping Mask

• Pyunkang Yul Sleeping Mask

• Secret Key peeling gel

• Pyunkhang Yul Peeling Gel

• Wishtrend – 5% Mandalic Skin Prep Water

COSRX (BHA and AHA power liquids) and ISNTREE (Chestnut – BHA and AHA) are some products we recommend.

The Crème Shop is another option. If you like mandelic acid, then Stratia should be suitable for you.

If you need a combination of AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, and moisturizing and soothing ingredients, then Purito, Dr.G, Axis-Y, and HANSKIN should be suitable.