In the world of skin care, exfoliators could be the most confusing element of a routine. From learning how to properly use chemical exfoliants to researching whether physical scrubs are actually bad for your skin, questions abound. But Cure's Natural Aqua Water Gel, Japan's number one exfoliator, may take some of the guesswork out of including this step in your routine.

According to the brand, the Natural Aqua Gel sells every 4.5 seconds, making the product Japan's bestselling exfoliator and one of the top exfoliators globally as well. On Amazon, fans of the product have been vocal about their positive experiences. As of press time, the product has over 3,000 reviews, with over a 4-star rating. Of the ratings, 71% are 5 star. Many customer assessments focus on one thing in particular: how gentle the product is.

Cure Natural Aqua Gel isn't exactly a physical exfoliator and certainly not a deeply penetrating chemical exfoliant (think Drunk Elephant's Sukari Baby Facial). Instead, Japan's bestselling exfoliator strays from high acidity and rough materials and utilizes a blend of surfactants like dicocodimonium chloride and carbomers that help to bind oils together to attract and remove dead skin. Thanks to the way its ingredients work, Cure's Natural Aqua Gel falls under the category of peeling gels.

While peeling gels aren't a new innovation in skin care — they've been popular in Asia since 2016 — Cure's Natural Aqua Gel formula is by far one of the most unique products I've used in terms of how the formula goes about removing your dead skin.

To use the product, you'll need a completely clean and dry face. This isn't a product you should be using to get rid of leftover makeup. Once you dispense the product into your palm, you'll see where its name comes from. It's a clear, fragrance-free gel formula....