Dermathod Peel Pads vs KRX Essence Cream Pads: Full Esthetician Comparison
Dermathod Peel Pads vs KRX Essence Cream Pads: Full Esthetician Comparison
At Skin Accord, we carry both Dermathod Priming Peel Pads and KRX Essence Cream Pads, but they do very different jobs. One is a gentle professional exfoliating treatment, the other is a hydrating toner pad. This esthetician written guide explains the real differences so you can choose the pads that match your skin goals instead of guessing from marketing claims.
Quick overview: Dermathod Peel Pads are best when you want glow, texture refinement, and a smoother look. KRX Essence Cream Pads are best when you want an easy hydrating and calming toner step with no exfoliation.
Related: Dermathod Korean Skincare: Complete Esthetician Guide
Side by Side Comparison
| Feature | Dermathod Priming Peel Pads | KRX Essence Cream Pads |
|---|---|---|
| Main function | Gentle exfoliating treatment that smooths texture, brightens, and preps skin for treatments | Hydrating and soothing toner pads that replenish moisture after cleansing |
| Exfoliation level | Yes. Uses PHA and a modern lipid friendly salicylic derivative for controlled resurfacing | No exfoliating acids. Functions as a moisture and comfort step only |
| Key actives | Gluconolactone, capryloyl salicylic acid, Polyquaternium 51, grape extracts, glutathione, chestnut and persimmon extracts | Glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, Madecassoside and Centella fractions, ceramide NP, soybean oil, honeysuckle, chamomile, rose flower extracts |
| Texture and finish | Leaves a breathable silky film that gives a polished glass like finish | Leaves a dewy hydrated feel, similar to a liquid toner in pad form |
| Skin goals | Improve texture, refine pores visually, brighten dullness, support clearer and smoother looking skin | Restore hydration, calm visible redness, support the barrier on days you do not want any exfoliation |
| Frequency of use | One to three nights per week depending on tolerance | Can be used daily or near daily as a hydrating toner step |
| Pad count and packaging | 30 pads. Each pad is individually sealed in its own sachet for consistent potency | 60 pads in one jar soaked in essence |
| Hygiene and freshness | Single use sachets limit air exposure and contamination. Every pad is fresh when opened | Jar is opened each time and pads are lifted with included plastic tongs to reduce finger contact, but the liquid is shared |
| Best for | Clients who want visible smoothing and glow without harsh peels. Great as a treatment step before ampoules and masks | Clients who want a simple moisture pad, very sensitive skin that cannot tolerate exfoliants, or an easy toner step |
| Not ideal if | Skin is actively inflamed, very compromised, or recovering from procedures that restrict exfoliation | You are expecting peeling, resurfacing, or a change in texture, because there are no exfoliating acids |
| Where to shop | Shop Dermathod Priming Peel Pads | Shop KRX Essence Cream Pads |
Dermathod Priming Peel Pads: What They Actually Do
Dermathod Priming Peel Pads are true exfoliating treatment pads created for professional Korean facials. They use a combination of Gluconolactone (a gentle PHA) and capryloyl salicylic acid (a lipid friendly exfoliant) to loosen dull surface cells and refine texture with far less irritation than traditional acid cocktails.
The formula also includes:
- Polyquaternium 51 for a biomimetic moisture barrier effect
- Glycerin and glycols to keep the skin cushioned and hydrated
- Grape seed and fruit extracts for antioxidant support
- Glutathione to support a brighter and more even looking tone over time
- Chestnut and persimmon extracts that help refine the look of pores and improve clarity
After application, the pads leave behind a breathable silky film. This is what gives the skin that smooth glass like finish and makes the pads feel more like a treatment and less like a harsh peel.
For a deeper look at how this works, see: Dermathod Glass Skin Technology Explained
KRX Essence Cream Pads: What They Actually Do
KRX Essence Cream Pads are best understood as hydrating toner pads. Each pad is soaked in a light essence that focuses on moisture and calming rather than exfoliation.
Key ingredients include:
- Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate for hydration and a plump feel
- Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Asiatic acid, Madecassic acid from Centella to support soothing and comfort
- Ceramide NP for barrier support
- Allantoin for extra calming
- Soybean oil and hydrogenated polydecene for a soft conditioning effect
- Honeysuckle, chamomile, and rose flower extracts for additional gentle botanical comfort
There are no exfoliating acids or resurfacing actives in this formula. The pads are lovely if you want a soothing toner step, but they will not change texture the way Dermathod Peel Pads can.
Packaging, Hygiene, and Pad Count
Dermathod: Individually Wrapped Treatment Pads
Dermathod provides 30 pads, and each pad is sealed in its own sachet. This has several advantages:
- Every pad is freshly opened for that use only
- The liquid inside is not exposed to air between uses
- There is no shared jar, which reduces the chance of contamination
- Easy to travel with and portion control for clients and professionals
This type of packaging makes sense for a precision exfoliating treatment where you want consistent strength from the first pad to the last.
KRX: Jar of 60 Hydrating Pads with Plastic Tongs
KRX Essence Cream Pads come as 60 pads in one jar. The brand includes a small plastic tong tool so you can pick up each pad without touching the rest of the stack. This does help reduce finger contact, but the essence is still stored in one shared container that is opened repeatedly.
For a hydrating toner pad, this is perfectly reasonable packaging and offers good value if you use the pads daily. Just keep the jar closed tightly between uses and avoid dipping in with wet hands.
Which Pads Should You Choose?
Choose Dermathod Peel Pads if you want:
- smoother, more refined texture
- a brighter, more polished glass like finish
- support with congestion and dullness
- a professional style prep step before serums, ampoules, or masks
- single use hygienic packaging and consistent potency
These are ideal one to three nights per week, especially if you want visible results without harsh peeling.
Shop: Dermathod Priming Peel Pads
Choose KRX Essence Cream Pads if you want:
- a simple hydrating toner step after cleansing
- extra soothing and moisture on days you are not exfoliating
- support for sensitive or reactive skin that cannot tolerate acids
- a value friendly pad you can use many days per week
These are best for hydration and comfort, not for changing texture or brightness on their own.
Shop: KRX Essence Cream Pads
Can You Use Both in the Same Routine?
You can own and use both products, but they should be placed thoughtfully in your week.
- On exfoliation nights, use Dermathod Peel Pads after cleansing, follow with hydration and a barrier cream, and skip any other acid products.
- On non exfoliation days, you can use KRX Essence Cream Pads as a hydrating toner step before your serum and moisturizer.
This gives you the best of both worlds: real texture and glow improvement from Dermathod on some nights, and simple moisture support from KRX on the others.
Professional Esthetician Summary
From an esthetician perspective, Dermathod Priming Peel Pads and KRX Essence Cream Pads sit in two different categories.
- Dermathod Peel Pads are a controlled exfoliating treatment with gentle actives and breathable film technology. They are the better choice when you want to see a change in texture, clarity, and overall glow.
- KRX Essence Cream Pads are a hydrating toner pad that focuses on moisture and soothing ingredients. They are useful as a daily comfort step but will not replace an exfoliating treatment.
If you are trying to decide between them for your first purchase and your main concern is dullness, rough texture, or congestion, I almost always recommend starting with Dermathod Priming Peel Pads. If your skin is extremely sensitive and you simply want more hydration with no exfoliation at all, KRX Essence Cream Pads can be a nice supporting option.