A Korean Italy towel is a rough-textured exfoliating mitt, traditionally made from 100% viscose fabric, used in Korean bathhouses (jjimjilbang) to scrub away dead skin after a hot soak. Despite the name, it has no connection to Italy, the fabric itself was originally imported from Italy in the 1960s, and the nickname stuck. Used correctly, on wet, warmed skin, it's the exfoliation method behind Korea's decades-old bathhouse culture.
Where the name actually comes from
The "Italy towel" gets its name from a manufacturing quirk, not a country of origin. In the 1960s, a Korean textile mill imported Italian-made viscose rayon fabric to produce a rough, exfoliating cloth. The fabric's texture, coarser and more abrasive than a typical washcloth, turned out to be ideal for the kind of firm, full-body scrub already practiced in Korean bathhouses. The name "Italy towel" (이태리타올) referred to the fabric's origin, and it's been the standard term in Korea ever since, even though the towels themselves have been manufactured domestically in Korea for decades.
How it compares to other exfoliating tools
| Tool | Texture | Traditional use | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy towel (mitt) | Coarse, mechanical | Korean bathhouse full-body scrub | Intensive, occasional exfoliation |
| Loofah | Soft to medium, plant fiber | General daily cleansing aid | Light, everyday texture |
| Konjac sponge | Very soft, spongy | Gentle facial cleansing (Japan) | Sensitive or facial skin |
| Dry brush | Firm bristles, used dry | Western wellness routines | Pre-shower, no water needed |
What it's made of, and why the texture matters
Authentic Korean Italy towels are made from 100% viscose, a semi-synthetic fabric derived from wood pulp. Woven into a coarse, slightly stiff texture, it's the texture, not any chemical exfoliant, that does the work. This matters for two reasons: there's no added exfoliating beads or acids to rinse off, and the intensity is controlled entirely by pressure and technique, not a fixed chemical concentration.
How to use a Korean Italy towel (the traditional method)
- Soak first. Spend 10 to 15 minutes in a warm bath or hot shower before exfoliating. Dry skin resists exfoliation and is more prone to irritation, softened, warmed skin is the entire point of the traditional sequence.
- Wet the mitt, no soap yet. Wring it out slightly so it's damp, not dripping. Traditionally, this step is done without soap, the friction of the fabric on wet skin is what lifts dead skin cells.
- Scrub in one direction, toward the heart. Use firm, even strokes along arms, legs, and torso. Start gently if it's your first time, the traditional bathhouse scrub is more intense than most people expect.
- Rinse thoroughly. Dead skin will be visibly lifted, this is normal and expected, not a sign of irritation, unless skin feels raw or looks red beyond a light flush.
- Follow with a gentle cleanse, then hydrate. A fermented soap to cleanse without stripping, then an oil (traditionally camellia seed oil in Korea) while skin is still slightly damp. See our 3-Step Ritual guide for the full sequence.
How often should you exfoliate with an Italy towel?
Traditionally, once or twice a week, not daily. The scrub is intentionally more intensive than a daily shower routine, using it too often can leave skin feeling tight or sensitive rather than smooth. If you're new to this method, start with once a week and see how your skin responds.
Is it safe for sensitive skin?
It can be, with adjustments, lighter pressure, a shorter session, and a patch test if you have reactive or easily irritated skin. Avoid it entirely on broken, sunburned, or actively irritated skin. As with any new exfoliation method, check with a dermatologist first if you have an existing skin condition.
Caring for your mitt between uses
Rinse it thoroughly after each use and hang it fully open to air-dry, away from direct sunlight if possible. A damp, folded mitt left in a closed shower is the most common cause of odor and reduced lifespan. For hygiene reasons, treat it as a personal-use item rather than sharing it across a household.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Korean Italy towel the same as a loofah or exfoliating glove?
Not quite. Loofahs are plant-based and generally softer, exfoliating gloves vary widely in material and texture. The Korean Italy towel is specifically a coarse, 100% viscose mitt or cloth, designed for the firmer, more intensive style of exfoliation practiced in Korean bathhouses.
Do I need soap when using it?
Traditionally, no, exfoliation is done on wet, bare skin first. Soap comes after, as a separate cleansing step once exfoliation is finished.
Why does my skin look red or have visible "rolls" of skin after using it?
Visible dead skin lifting off is the expected result of this method, it's often more noticeable the first few times, especially if it's been a while since your last exfoliation. Light redness that fades within an hour is normal, persistent redness, pain, or broken skin is not, ease off pressure and frequency if that happens.
Can I use it on my face?
It's designed for the body. Facial skin is more delicate, if you want to try it there, use much lighter pressure and a shorter session, or look for a product specifically designed for facial use instead.
Keep exploring the ritual
This is the first in a series exploring the details behind the Korean bath ritual. Next up: a closer look at Korean shower filtration, and the traditional bases behind our fermented soaps.
- The History of Jjimjilbang — where the bathhouse culture behind this ritual comes from.
- Shop Exfoliating Mitts — the Italy towel mitts covered in this guide.