Before I knew how to work with my super-sensitive, acne-prone skin, I wanted to pull my hair out daily. Ironically, we're often told that strong exfoliation is the end-all be-all when it comes to dealing with breakouts—whether that's using an exfoliating cleanser or strong BHAs like salicylic acid. That said, it took me years to realize that that approach was doing nothing good for my skin. In fact, it always made my acne 10 times worse and my skin more inflamed the minute the exfoliant touched my face.
Just when I was about to go into full panic mode, I discovered master celebrity aesthetician Sofie Pavitt's much lighter approach to treating breakouts. Her philosophy is all about keeping your acne-care routine super simple and only using a gentler exfoliant that's less irritating if your skin is overly sensitized. I found that this worked wonders for me and led me to curate a routine with only one active in it at all.
After discovering this worked better for my skin, I started dabbling in Korean exfoliating pads because I'd heard they get the job done with zero irritation. After trying some star K-beauty formulas, I was completely blown away. I'm a devoted fan of Korean skincare because it's so well-formulated for extremely sensitive skin. Many brands have mastered the art of creating highly effective exfoliating pads without causing any kind of irritation or damage to the skin barrier. As I said, as someone with super-sensitive skin, this is really hard to find. Usually, other exfoliating pads are a no-go altogether for me because they're either too strong or cause irritation and redness over time.
If you have a similar skin type, you're going to want to keep reading. I've rounded up my all-time favorite Korean exfoliating pads for super-sensitive skin below that don't even hit the $25 mark. Trust me—you won't regret trying any of these. (In fact, your skin might even thank you.)
These exfoliating pads from Anua are my top choice ATM. The secret, it seems, when it comes to formulating effectively for super-sensitive, acne-prone skin is using PHAs like gluconolactone instead of large concentrations of more irritating actives like salicylic acid. The addition of ultra-calming ingredients like heartleaf extract makes these pads an incredible option for skin that's prone to irritation and redness. For the longest time, I couldn't find an exfoliant that I could tolerate daily, but these pads offered up the perfect solution on a silver platter. Now, I use these almost every night, and my skin has transformed for the better. I noticed a huge improvement in congestion levels and the blackheads on my nose after just one use.
I'm a big fan of Aprilskin, and these pads from the brand are another great option for sensitive-skinned folks. They're infused with calming calendula flower water that's rich in antioxidants, and it contains gluconolactone to gently decongest the skin. Allantoin also helps calm any redness or an irritated skin barrier.
Medicube's original Zero Pore Pads ($21) are a viral Korean staple, but the exfoliants and oils in this formula can be a bit much for super-sensitive, acne-prone skin. That's where its much milder sister comes in, the Zero Pore Pad Mild. This formula is a lot less extensive and, TBH, a lot less irritating. Like other formulations for super-sensitive folks, it contains gluconolactone to help tighten pores and get rid of blackheads instead of stronger, more irritating actives. I also love the addition of panthenol, madecassoside (an anti-inflammatory), and hyaluronic acid to boost the skin's moisture content.
After trying out CosRx's Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($25) and loving it, I decided to give these hydrating and exfoliating pads a go. Featuring Alaskan glacier water, squalane, and hyaluronic acid, these pads are incredibly quenching to dry, thirsty skin. My skin tends to get extra dehydrated during the winter, and these always do the trick while also exfoliating with a less irritating form of salicylic acid (betaine salicylate) and gluconolactone.
While Round Lab is definitely a viral brand in Korea, I still think it's totally underrated here in the States. The brand's sunscreens are its most popular items, but the Dokdo pads are rich in panthenol and plant extracts to soothe sensitive or stressed-out skin. Besides the CosRx pads, I found these to be some of the most hydrating options. While rich in hydration, they still get the job done in terms of exfoliation, and I experienced no irritation whatsoever when using these.
A friend of mine (who is also obsessed with Korean skincare) recommended these Some By Mi exfoliating pads to me, and while I was initially skeptical because my skin is so sensitive, I can now say they're another amazing option for sensitive skin. Each of these pads contains a high concentration of cica essence, which is a staple ingredient in Korean skincare for calming redness and irritation. While it does contain AHA, BHA, and PHA, which might irritate some folks, the concentration of each exfoliating acid was just right for me here and didn't cause any further aggravation to my skin barrier.
Another key exfoliant to look for if you have super-sensitive skin is betaine salicylate. This is a much milder form of salicylic acid that's less likely to cause irritation or stinging. I've found that it works really well for my skin, and these Celimax pads contain just the right dose of it. Other ingredients like heartleaf extract and tea tree extract also soothe and calm skin while helping to reduce any blemishes.
These super-light exfoliating pads are another option that's super hydrating and calming while providing light exfoliation. Willow bark extract and gluconolactone are really gentle in this formula, and you might even be able to get away with using these twice a day due to how light and refreshing they are on the skin.