Versus

Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel Versus Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel

Exfoliator
Exfoliator
Korean Brand South Korea
Korean Brand South Korea

Updated on July 19, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe exfoliators. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any parabens, silicones or sulfates

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Absorbent

Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls. It is used as an emulsifier, absorbent, and texture enhancer.

This ingredient has many functions:

Fun fact: Cellulose is the most abundant form of organic polymer on Earth.

Learn more about Cellulose
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse. 

It is a:

  • Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
  • Emollient, helping to soften skin
  • Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
  • Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives 
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Skin Conditioning

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol

When to use

404 Routines
18% use in am
82% use in pm
37% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
12 Routines
17% use in am
83% use in pm
50% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Beauty of Joseon Apricot Blossom Peeling Gel 19 ingredients

4.3 /5
from 22 ratings
Works Well (16) Great Value (11) No Scent (9)
kayvon's avatar

Kayvon 🪐

8 months ago
Review

🙀 the results of this exfoliator are incredible! it works so well, after only one use, my skin looks & feels so soft & so healthy.

🚿 the previous night, i had showered in hot water, and then at the end, turned the water cold for washing my face

🧖 after the shower, i did my nightly skincare, and then once my face was dry, i put hydrocolloid bandages on practically my whole face

🚰 in Show more

#great value
#no scent
#works well
grakky's avatar

grakky

5 months ago
Review

for me, the secret to glassy, smooth skin is proper exfoliation. i initially stopped using this product because i thought that my face would be fine without exfoliation and my other products would suffice. however, during the months i was not using this product, my skin was dull and started getting dry and occasionally flaked in places. i recently put this product back into my routine and now i Show more

#great value
#works well

Saturday Skin Rub-A-Dub Refining Peel Gel 44 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Doesn't Work (1) Great Value (1) Works Well (1)
tzounakii's avatar

tzounakii

1 year ago
Review

Not very effective. It's the product that's pilling together, not actually removing dead skin.

#doesn't work
Amperez168's avatar

Amperez168

12 months ago
Review

I love this stuff. My face feels like a pound of dead skin has come off. I will say there may be a better one out there. I used to use one my Philosophy that I loved but it is way more expensive. This one is great for the price.

#great value
#works well