Neogen
More about NeogenThe story behind Neogen Read the full story
Picture a face wipe and an exfoliating toner having a baby. In 2012 a Korean company put out something the local market hadn't seen: a peeling pad with a woven gauze side that physically buffed away dead skin, a soft cotton side, and the whole thing pre-soaked in an essence spiked with mild acids. It reads as modest now only because the format worked so well that everyone copied it, but the original Bio-Peel Gauze Peeling, sold in Wine, Green Tea, and Lemon, is widely credited as Korea's first peeling pad and remains the product the brand is defined by. A later upgrade gave the pads a multi-layer construction and richer essence soak.
Behind the brand sits a Seoul cosmetics manufacturer that has quietly built a family of labels, with the flagship line spanning fermented essences, probiotic serums, and a popular daily sunscreen, plus sister ranges aimed at everything from minimally processed naturals to targeted treatments. Its pitch leans on a fusion of biotechnology and nature, a framing that is more marketing texture than clinical claim; you won't find a deep bench of independent trials here.
What the brand does have is a genuine streak of playfulness. Beyond the workhorse pads it has leaned into the fun side of K-beauty with novelties like eye patches infused with gold and mascaras packaged with oversized metal spoolies, the kind of thing built to catch fire on social video. International reach followed the buzz, including a US launch through a major beauty retailer and shelf space in a prestigious London department store.
The honest read: this is dependable, fairly priced K-beauty with a knack for clever formats, and the gauze pads in particular are a legitimately useful, gentle way to combine physical and chemical exfoliation, just don't overwork the scrubbing side on sensitive skin. Consistency and the occasional genuinely original idea are the trade here, and for a brand this size that's respectable.
- Founded
- 2000
- Origin
- South Korea
- Heritage
- Established
- Type
- K-beauty
- Verdicts
- 6 Strong choice · 18 Good choice of 57 assessed
- Top-rated
- Neogen Real Heartleaf Soothing Cream
- Website
- Official site →
- Amazon
- Brand store →
All Neogen Products
More about Neogen
S. food-safety firm Neogen Corporation), best known for launching Korea’s first peeling pad in 2012; its products are widely reviewed but consumer-grade, with limited independent clinical validation.