Our Top Products Picks
| Product | Action |
|---|---|
 Clean & Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Facial Cleanser, Scrub & Face Wash, Pro-Vitamin B5, Lactic & Glycolic Acids, Oil-Free Gentle Daily Exfoliator for Soft, Smooth, Hydrated Skin, Vegan, 7 Fl Oz TubeDeep pore cleansing: Exfoliating face wash with Pro-Vitamin B5, lactic acid, and glycolic acid removes impurities; plastic-free beads gently buff for soft, smooth, hydrated skin with every use. Gentle exfoliation: Facial scrub and face exfoliator with naturally derived, plastic-free beads and creamy lotion texture; non-abrasive formula suitable for daily use leaves skin feeling refreshed, clean, and visibly smooth. Face wash: Pro-Vitamin B5 enriched facial cleanser; oil-free, vegan formula rinses clean without residue, helping maintain skinís natural balance and softness after every wash. Clean formula: Exfoliating face scrub and facial cleanser is free from parabens, phthalates, sulfates, oils, and dyes; vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly, supporting a gentle skincare routine for all skin types. Trusted quality: Made in USA by Kenvue; 7 fl oz tube of oil-free exfoliating face wash and face scrub delivers gentle, effective cleansing and hydration for soft, healthier-looking skin every day. | |
 St Ives Fresh Skin Scrub Apricot 150mlExfoliates to reveal smooth, radiant skin Non irritating, oil free Dermatologist tested Formulated without parabens and phthalates | |
 Jack Black Face Buff Energizing Scrub - Mens Face Wash & Pre Shave Scrub, Face Cleanser for Men, Pre Shave for Men, Mens Facial Cleanser, Mens Face Scrub, Exfoliating Face Wash, Jack Black Face Scrub | |
 St. Ives Radiant Skin Face Scrub For Dull Skin Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange Dermatologist-Tested Face Wash Scrub With 100 percent Natural Exfoliants 6 ozBye bye dullness! St. Ives Radiant Skin Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange Face Scrub is a delicious, citrusy scrub that polishes away dryness and reveals irresistibly radiant skin This exfoliating cleanser and facial scrub is made with 100 percent natural exfoliants St. Ives exfoliating scrub is dermatologist-tested, paraben free, and non-comedogenic This facial scrub provides moderate exfoliation to slough away dull skin to reveal glowing skin Use this Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange face wash scrub to promote soft healthy skin, clearing away dullness for brighter skin St. Ives is America's No.1 brand for facial scrubs | |
 Acure Brightening Facial Scrub - Exfoliating Face Wash, Gentle Daily Scrubber & Exfoliator for Women & Men for Radiant Skin, Cleansing Wash with Sea Kelp & French Green Clay - 4 fl ozCLEANSING AND EXFOLIATING FACIAL SCRUB - Acure Brightening Facial Scrub buffs away dull, dead skin cells with finely ground botanicals to reveal smoother, more radiant-looking skin SEA KELP AND FRENCH GREEN CLAY - Our exfoliating face wash with sea kelp, lemon peel and French green clay nourishes, detoxifies and helps promote a balanced healthy glow DAILY BRIGHTENING CLEANSER - Awaken and exfoliate your face with our gentle scrub for women and men to reduce dullness and uneven texture, leaving skin feeling refreshed, renewed, and revitalized VEGAN AND CRUELTY FREE - Our daily scrubber and exfoliator is made without sulfates, parabens or harsh chemicals, offering high quality care that is consciously created and skin friendly SUITABLE FOR MOST SKIN TYPES - Our cleansing wash provides effective exfoliation while maintaining moisture balance, making it ideal for normal to combination skin | |
 Exfoliating Charcoal Scrub with Collagen & Stem Cells – Salt Scrub for Body Toning, Cellulite, Armpit Detox, and Skin Smoothing for Face, Feet, and Body by M3 Naturals.M3 Activated Charcoal Body Polish Scrub: Provides a quality exfoliating experience as a body scrub, face exfoliator, hand scrub, or foot scrub! Working together, our natural charcoal granules and coconut oil will help restore your natural skin glow and wash away those unwanted toxins and dead skin cells! Infused with Collagen and Stem Cell: Our moisturizing charcoal scrub will take your skin care routine to the next level by boosting collagen production and increasing skin cell longevity. A truly powerful combination that delivers unmatched anti-aging skincare results! * Help Reduce Skin Blemishes: Whether you choose to use our natural charcoal as a face scrub or body exfoliator our unique ingredients will help to reduce the appearance of acne, cellulite, wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, stretch marks, varicose veins, spider veins and so much more! * Spa Quality Results for Men and Women: Cleanse your skin naturally and scrub away those unwanted toxins from your pores while balancing systemic pH. A top-quality pore minimizer that cleans and restores your skin's glow and continues working to maintain its silky-smooth results! * Made in USA with domestic and globally sourced ingredients: We combine the finest ingredients to create a Charcoal Salt Scrub that helps you achieve total body glow and your smoothest, healthiest skin. M3 Naturals is a brand that contains products that contain natural ingredients and other ingredients. | |
 Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Daily Exfoliating Facial Scrub with Glycerin, Gentle, Cooling & Exfoliating Gel Face Wash to Remove Impurities, Dirt, Oil & Makeup, 4.2 fl. oz4.2-fluid ounce tube of Neutrogena Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Gel Daily Exfoliating Facial Scrub to revive your skin and wash away dirt, oil, and bacteria, leaving skin feeling refreshed Neutrogena Deep Clean exfoliating facial cleanser is formulated with glycerin and cleans deep within pores, leaving skin feeling refreshed and exhilarated Dermatologist tested, its light gel formula with energizing exfoliators lathers into a tingly, bubbly foam to sweep away dead skin and to remove dirt, oil and makeup and cleans deep to remove skin of impurities Made without plastic microbeads, the dermatologist-tested foaming facial scrub contains gentle exfoliators to clean deep within pores and to sweep away dead skin to leave face feeling invigorated From a dermatologist-recommended brand, daily exfoliating face wash leaves skin refreshed with a surge of invigoration. The scrub makes the perfect addition to your daily beauty and skincare routine for an at-home self-care experience | |
 Palmer's Coconut Oil Formula Coconut Sugar Facial Scrub Exfoliator, Face Scrub to Gently Exfoliate Away Dirt and Dead Skin Cells with Chamomile to Soften & Calm, 3.17 Ounces (Pack of 1)Sugar Face Scrub: Palmer's Coconut Sugar Exfoliating Facial Scrub uses natural Coconut Sugar to gently buff and polish away dirt and dead skin cells, revealing a brighter, fresher and purified complexion Natural Factors: This hydrating and calming blend of coconut water, chamomile and coconut oil helps exfoliate while maintaining skin's moisture and balance and promoting a soft and dewy complexion Finest Ingredients: We use only the finest natural, raw ingredients for soft, hydrated and beautiful hair & skin. We support sustainable production of Shea & Cocoa Butter and Coconut Oil. You can feel good about what you put on your hair and skin Choose What's Real: Our nourishing skin care and hair care products feature real, high-quality, plant-based ingredients. Our product line for whole body care includes body butter, creams, balms, lotions, oils, soaps, pregnancy and stretch mark care Why Palmers? For over 180 years, Palmer's has crafted treatment-oriented beauty products using Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter, Olive Oil & Vitamin E to soothe, hydrate, soften, replenish and revitalize skin and hair | |
 Facial Cleanser by Olay Regenerist, Detoxifying Pore Scrub & Exfoliator, 5 Oz (Pack of 3)Facial scrub with deep-cleaning formula diminishes the look of pores & immediately brightens skin Daily scrub face wash exfoliates to regenerate skin’s surface Lathering gel formula deep cleans to detoxify & polish away dull skin Exfoliates to increase surface cell turnover to reveal smoother skin Suitable for most skin types: normal, oily, combination/oily | |
 Clinique 3-Step Clarifying Lotion Face Exfoliator 3 | Toner With Witch Hazel + Salicylic Acid | For Combination Oily Skin Types |
En el panorama del cuidado de la piel de 2026, la barrera cutánea es el rey. Atrás quedaron los días en que exfoliarse significaba raspar la dermis hasta dejarla roja e irritada. Los mejores geles peeling coreanos han redefinido la exfoliación, priorizando la eliminación enzimática y física suave de las células muertas sin comprometer la hidratación. Mientras que la K-Beauty apuesta por texturas 'gommage' que se forman bolitas al masajear, el mercado occidental sigue ofreciendo opciones robustas para quienes buscan esa sensación de limpieza profunda física.
Como probadores implacables, hemos enfrentado al estándar de oro coreano -el Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel- contra los titanes de la exfoliación física occidental como St. Ives y las soluciones clínicas de Clinique. ¿Es realmente superior la suavidad coreana, o sigue habiendo espacio para el scrub granulado clásico en tu rutina de 2026? Analizamos ingredientes, texturas y resultados reales para tu tipo de piel.
Cheat Sheet: Quick Recommendations 2026
For those in a rush, here is how the current market leaders stack up based on our Q1 2026 testing:
- Best for Sensitive Skin & Barrier Repair: Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel. It uses gentle cellulose clumping rather than abrasion.
- Best for Thick/Oily Skin: St. Ives Fresh Skin Scrub Apricot. A classic grit-heavy scrub that requires tough skin.
- Best Hybrid (Chemical + Physical): Clean & Clear Deep Action Exfoliating Cleanser. Combines beads with lactic and glycolic acids for a double punch.
Why this matters now: As we settle into 2026, dermatology trends heavily favor products that protect the microbiome. Peeling gels minimize micro-tears, making them the preferred physical exfoliation method for anyone dealing with redness or dehydration.
Deep Dive: Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel
Among the best Korean peeling gels available this year, the Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel stands out for its simplicity and efficacy. While many brands pump their gels full of synthetic fragrances, this formula relies on prune flower water (19%) and naturally derived cellulose.
The Experience
When you massage this gel onto dry skin, it starts as a smooth, hydrating layer. Within seconds, you feel soft clumps forming. This is the cellulose binding with oil and dead skin cells. It is visibly gratifying without the scratchy sensation of a sugar scrub.
2026 Performance Analysis
- Texture: Milky gel that transforms into soft rolls.
- Hydration: Leaves skin moist, unlike clay masks that strip oil.
- Exfoliation Level: Mild to Medium. It will not remove deep blackheads in one go, but it smooths texture instantly.
- Scent: Subtle, clean apricot note (natural origin).
Who Is It For?
This is the holy grail for users who find acids too stinging but scrubs too harsh. If you have rosacea-prone skin or are using drying acne treatments, this provides a safe way to remove flakiness.
Comparison: Peeling Gels vs. Traditional Scrubs
To understand why K-Beauty exfoliators are winning, we compared the Beauty of Joseon gel against two western heavyweights: St. Ives and Clean & Clear.
| Feature | Beauty of Joseon Peeling Gel | St. Ives Fresh Skin Scrub | Clean & Clear Deep Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exfoliant Type | Cellulose (Gommage) | Natural Exfoliants (Walnut/Corn) | Beads + AHA (Glycolic/Lactic) |
| Sensation | Soft rolling/clumping | Gritty, abrasive | Cool, tingly, creamy |
| Risk of Irritation | Low | High (if overused) | Medium |
| After-Feel | Hydrated, smooth | Squeaky clean, slightly tight | Refreshed, minty |
| Best For | Sensitive/Dry Skin | Body or Very Oily Skin | Acne-Prone/Congested Skin |
The Verdict
St. Ives remains a powerhouse for body exfoliation or very resilient oily skin that needs a deep polish. However, for the face, the 2026 standard leans toward Beauty of Joseon. The risk of micro-tears with heavy grit is simply too high for modern barrier-focused routines.
Clean & Clear offers a middle ground. Its inclusion of Pro-Vitamin B5 and acids (Lactic/Glycolic) makes it a chemical-physical hybrid. It is effective, but if you are sensitive to "tingly" sensations or minty cooling effects, the Korean peeling gel is the safer bet.
How to Use Peeling Gels Correctly
Many users claim peeling gels "don't work" because they use them on wet skin. Here is the correct protocol for 2026:
- Cleanse First: Remove makeup and surface dirt.
- Dry Completely: This is crucial. If your face is wet, the cellulose cannot clump effectively.
- Apply & Massage: Use a coin-sized amount. Massage in circles for 60-90 seconds. You will feel the "pilling" effect.
- Rinse: Wash away the cellulose clumps with lukewarm water.
- Hydrate: Follow immediately with a toner or serum. Your fresh skin is primed for absorption.
Pro-Tip: Do not use these on facial hair or peach fuzz areas if possible, as the cellulose clumps can sometimes stick to fine hairs.
Pricing & Availability Forecast
Korean skincare prices have stabilized in 2026 after the supply chain fluctuations of previous years.
- Beauty of Joseon: Expect to pay between $14 and $19 for the 100ml tube. It remains a budget-friendly option compared to luxury western enzymes.
- Drugstore Alternatives: St. Ives and Clean & Clear remain the budget kings, often sitting under $8, but the performance gap is significant when it comes to facial delicacy.
Investing the extra $8-$10 for a dedicated facial peeling gel is generally worth it to avoid the potential dermatologist costs of repairing a damaged skin barrier later.
En 2026, la elección entre un k-beauty exfoliator y un scrub occidental tradicional se reduce a filosofía: ¿quieres mimar tu barrera cutánea o necesitas una intervención de choque? Para la mayoría de los usuarios, especialmente aquellos preocupados por el envejecimiento y la sensibilidad, el Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel y sus similares coreanos representan la evolución lógica del cuidado facial. Sin embargo, productos icónicos como St. Ives y Jack Black mantienen su trono por una razón: la gratificación instantánea de una piel pulida físicamente sigue siendo insustituible para muchos. Evalúa la tolerancia de tu piel y elige tu arma.