Why Exfoliating Is the Secret Step You’ve Been Skipping

green rectangular exfoliating towel

If you’ve ever wondered how Koreans achieve that soft, body glow, here’s a hint: it’s not just moisturizers. It’s scrubbing. Specifically, the iconic Korean exfoliating towel that turned bath culture into a full-body ritual.

For decades in Korea, “ttaemiri” (scrubbing) has been more than hygiene, it’s a cultural experience. The signature green Italy towel was invented in Busan in 1967, when viscose rayon imported from Italy gave rise to the name. The practice became central to Korean bathhouses, or jjimjilbangs, where you’d soak in hot water, then a professional ttaemiri ajumma would scrub away layers of dull skin in one session.

From Seoul to Spas in the States

As K-beauty took the world by storm, Korean spas (K-spas) in the U.S. began offering these deep exfoliation treatments to Americans looking for clear, baby-smooth skin without the harshness of salt or sugar scrubs. Today, you don’t need to spend hours in a bathhouse. With the right towel and a few self-care minutes, you can recreate that post-Jjimjilbang glow right at home.

To bring that experience into your own bathroom, we created our Exfoliating Towel, designed to slip into your daily rhythm as part of our 3-step ritual:
Cleanse. Exfoliate. Moisturize.
It’s the modern version of a centuries-old Korean tradition.

Movie Spotlight: K-pop Demon Hunters

Even pop culture has caught on — the animated film K-pop Demon Hunters features a bathhouse scene that nods to this iconic self-care moment. It’s fun proof that the Korean exfoliating ritual isn’t just about skincare — it’s about renewal, transformation, and letting go of all that old energy (and old skin).

How to Exfoliate: Express vs. Traditional

Express routine (for busy mornings):

  • Cleanse skin thoroughly while showering.

  • Use the exfoliating towel in gentle circular motions on damp skin.

  • Focus on rough areas like elbows, knees, and upper arms (especially if you struggle with keratosis pilaris or “chicken skin”).

  • Rinse, pat dry, and lock in hydration with your body oil.

Traditional after-bath ritual (the real Jjimjilbang way):

  • Soak in warm water for at least 10 minutes to soften the outer layer of skin.

  • Turn off the water, then firmly scrub using the towel until you see rolls of dead skin lift away. It’s oddly satisfying! 

  • Rinse off and follow with your body oil while skin is damp for a dewy finish.

Who Benefits & Who Should Skip It

Exfoliating towels are game-changers for anyone with textured, ashy, flaky, or KP-prone skin. They help improve tone, smoothness, and product absorption.


However, if your skin is sunburned, actively broken out, or highly sensitive (eczema, rosacea), skip the scrubbing — gentler chemical exfoliants or enzyme peels may be safer.

Of course, if you have any skin injuries not completely healed, do not use any exfoliants (both physical and chemical).

In One Towel, a Whole Culture

Exfoliation in Korea started as a communal reset — a deep clean for both body and mind. With your new towel, you get to bring that same renewal home, one soft, buffed glow at a time.

Ready to level up your body care? Step into your own mini Jjimjilbang:
Cleanse. Exfoliate. Moisturize. Glow.

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