In this blog I’ll share the best Korean body wash products for all skin types. Whether you have oily skin, acne-prone skin or dry, sensitive skin, I’ve got a recommendation for you.
Korean body wash, like some of the best Korean skincare products, also contain a bunch of ingredients we rarely see in western body wash.
Although I don’t have a problem using western shower gel, I do find a good Korean body wash just feels that little bit more luxurious. Plus, there’s just so much more choice when it comes to body acne and body wash to treat it.
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Which key ingredient will work for your skin?
Finding the best Korean body wash for your skin depends on what sort of condition it’s currently in and what your skin goals are. First I’ll explain which key ingredients to look for, both to include and exclude from your search.
Then, I’ll share my top list of products for each category, by skin concern.
Selecting a body wash for skin irritation
If you currently have irritated skin, you’ll want to avoid acids like salicylic acid, at least temporarily. The right body wash will improve your skin without causing additional skin irritation.
Our skin has a protective lipid barrier, and when this is damaged our skin can appear red or sting when products are applied. If this is you, I recommend avoiding all body scrubs, and body wash with essential oils.
Body wash that contains aloe vera, shea butter, glycerin, vitamin E and panthenol can be especially helpful for replenishing the skin barrier.
Selecting a body wash for body acne
If acne-prone skin is your top concern, salicylic acid is a great option. Personally I find BHA too drying for my face, but it works well for my chest, back and shoulders.
Tea tree oil is another powerful active for keeping body acne breakouts under control. I’ve noticed tea tree is very popular in Korean beauty products, especially shampoo and body wash.
This shampoo by Aromatica is one of my recent favourite’s. It washes my hair super well, leaves no residue and calms any mild dandruff I might have going on.
Selecting a body wash for dark spots
Some of the best Korean body wash products can also lighten dark spots with the use of certain ingredients, such as lactic acid. Lactic acid is a mild exfoliating acid that I also love using on the face – The Ordinary’s lactic acid serum used to be my ride or die!
Other ingredients to look out for that can lighten hyperpigmentation are vitamin C, niacinamide and salicylic acid, although salicylic acid is not as effective as alpha hydroxy acids like lactic acid.
Lastly, don’t be fooled into thinking physical scrubs make the best exfoliating products or give the best results.
Chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid, glycolic acid and lactic acid often provide a more thorough exfoliation, without the redness and irritation of a scrub.
If you’re removing something like tan, however, physical scrubs do work well – just go easy!
Selecting a body wash for dry skin
I’ve noticed Korean body care products tend to be more about brightening and exfoliating than nourishing, but there are still a few that do this well.
Here are some ingredients to look out for in korean body wash, if you have dry skin:
- Oils such as olive oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil. Whilst these are popular, they are not my favourite recommendations for acne-prone body skin.
- Mineral oil can often feature
- Glycerin
- Panthenol
- Vitamin E
- Hyaluronic acid
- Ceramides
Are Korean body wash products with natural ingredients best?
Natural ingredients always make me sigh – it gives the false impression that they are superior to ‘unnatural’ ingredients.
Unfortunately natural ingredients can often cause allergic reactions, so I don’t advise selecting them specifically over other products. This is the same with organic ingredients – the word ‘organic’ creates this idea of being better than regular ingredients, but in reality they can be quite sensitising.
Best Korean body wash for acne
Now I’ll get into some product recommendations, starting with Korean body wash for acne.
Most of these will contain a mix of exfoliating acids. For best results, lather the body wash in your hand, apply it to your body and let it rest on the skin for a few minutes while you do other things.
This is the most effective way to get the desired result from body washes with actives.
SOME BY MI AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Clear Body Cleanser
This is one of the best Korean body washes for acne because it contains three types of exfoliants. Glycolic and polyhydroxy acid for lightening and surface exfoliation, as well as salicylic to unclog pores and prevent clogged pores.
I gave this one to my boyfriend as he asked for something to use on the backs of his legs, which is one of his problem areas. This will effectively prevent dead skin cells from building up when used regularly.
Shop the Some By Mi Miracle Clear Cleanser
APRILSKIN – Carrotene IPMP Exfoliating Body Wash
This shower gel by APRILSKIN is a really nice option because it contains both salicylic acid, panthenol and ceramides.
When I first received this I was also using the Cerave salicylic acid cleanser on my chest, back and shoulders. This is where I’m more acne prone, and I especially liked to use it after the gym.
More recently I started using the APRILSKIN body wash and I’ve realised how much better this is!
Although the Cerave is a best selling acne cleanser, I do find it quite drying on my body. Whereas with APRILSKIN, I find that my skin feels exfoliated, has less acne but still feels hydrated.
The only thing I don’t like so much is the rigid packaging, because it’s not particularly easy to squeeze product out.
Shop the APRILSKIN Carrotene Body Wash
Best Korean body wash for dark spots
Now I’ll share some popular options for lightening dark spots left over from body acne. Remember that the first step in treating acne and marks is always to treat the acne first, so that marks don’t keep forming.
Overall the two body washes above by Some By Mi and APRILSKIN aren’t bad options if you deal with both acne and marks, but I’ll share a couple that are more specific to marks.
Remember you can also use products from your Korean skin care routine to treat a particularly stubborn mark. For example, consider leaving a toner pad on the mark, and also using SPF on it if it’s exposed to sunlight often.
APLB – Glutathione Niacinamide Body Wash
This Korean body wash by APLB contains two powerful actives to fight hyperpigmentation: niacinamide and glutathione.
Niacinamide has so many benefits for glass skin, aside from just mark fading, too! It can also reduce sebum production over time, control acne and make pores appear smaller. Glutathione is an antioxidant that can have a brightening effect.
Whilst both of these actives are great, it’s important to remember that this is still a wash off product – you may get better results from using a leave-on serum on the area you wish to treat.
Shop the APLB Glutathione Niacinamide Body Wash
Medifferent – In-Shower Tone Up Cream
Medifferent’s In-Shower Tone Up Cream contains both ascorbyl glucoside (vitamin C), niacinamide and liquorice root extract, all known skin brighteners. Whilst this is called a tone up product, it should work well for lightening hyperpigmentation.
This is more of a cream texture, so you may wish to use a regular body wash to cleanse, and then leave this cream cleanser on as a treatment during your shower time.
Shop the Medifferent Shower Tone Up Cream
Best Korean body wash for dry skin and irritation
FInally, I’ll some of the best options for a simple, hydrating body wash. If you don’t deal with acne or dark spots, all you really need for healthy skin is hydration.
Kao – Curel Intensive Moisture Care Foaming Body Wash
Curel is a great K beauty brand, and this body wash is super simple and effective. It’s an ideal choice if your skin is feeling irritated, red or dry.
My best tip for irritated skin is to make sure you don’t use super hot water, as this can further irritate the skin.
This product contains glycerin, which is great for all skin types. It also contains coconut oil which, for most might be fine, but should maybe be avoided if your body skin is really acne prone.
Shop the Curel Intensive Moisture Body Wash
Formal Bee – Kids Derma Barrier Ato Wash
Kids products are often the best products for super sensitive skin, and this body wash by Formal Bee is a great option. It contains zero fragrance or essential oils, as well as panthenol, squalane, shea butter, cholesterol and ceramides.
It packs quite a lot in! Usually I would avoid shea butter in face products, but since my body is less acne prone I don’t mind it in a wash.
Shop the Formal Bee Kids Derma Barrier Ato Wash
Tips for effective and gentle body cleansing
Finally, here are some of my best tips for a Korean body care routine that gets results without being too irritating:
- Make sure you don’t use super hot water – especially on your face! This can dry the skin out and cause it to produce more oil, let alone appear dehydrated and irritated.
- Consider blasting some cold water at the end of your shower time. This can stimulate your central nervous system and reduce anxiety.
- Avoid super hot baths and showers if you deal with fungal acne. These can cause sweating and upset your skin.
- Avoid body, face and lip scrubs unless you really need to use them. Avoid making them part of your weekly routine, since they’re often more aggressive than you realise.
