These days, Korean “K-beauty” dominates the skin care world. But don’t worry, you don’t have to travel to try it out the luxurious skin care products and techniques for yourself. While there are so many great products to choose from, TikTok users and HuffPost readers alike go particularly wild for the Bio-PDRN Caffeine Face Shot serum, a vegan alternative to a typically salmon-derived product, from the Korean brand Iope.
Beauty TikToker and self-proclaimed K-beauty enthusiast, Ashley Mixon, calls the serum “filler in a bottle,” “lifting,” and a “hero product” that’s hard to top. And while it usually goes for a pricy $50, you can currently snag it for 30% off as part of Amazon’s Early Black Friday Sales. Discounts on this smoothing serum never last long, so grab one while you can.
The secret is in the entirely plant-based formula.
In addition to Mixon, many reviewers say this serum has made their skin smoother, helped improve acne, reduced the appearance of fine lines and even become a replacement for Botox. (Of course, dermatologists say no at-home treatment will be as effective as Botox, but if you hate needles, this serum could be a solid option.)
Mixon and the brand attribute these kinds of results to an ingredient called PDRN, an anti-inflammatory, tissue-repairing proprietary drug that works to improve your skin’s overall appearance and firmness. While traditional PDRN is extracted from the sperm cells of salmon (and sometimes injected into the skin), Iope’s topical version is developed from plants, meaning no needles or fish fluids needed.
In addition to plant-powered PDRN, the serum contains a recognizable combination of ingredients. You’ll see niacinamide, a versatile antioxidant that many swear by for everything from brightening skin to managing redness, and probiotics, an unlikely ingredient that dermatologists have previously told HuffPost can do wonders for keeping skin healthy and strong.
(Note: HuffPost reached out to Mixon and found she does not receive compensation directly from the brand, but does from her affiliate link.)
Wondering what caffeine is doing in your skin care and not your latte?
There is some evidence to support that topical applications of caffeine may aid in reducing the appearance of wrinkles caused by sun damage, thanks to its antioxidant properties.
“[This serum] contains 20,000 ppm (parts per million) of caffeine, which is one-eighteenth the size of collagen,” Mixon told HuffPost via email. “So yes, it does penetrate into the skin!”
To use the serum, the brand says to apply three to four drops after your toner and before creams and moisturizers. Mixon adds that it can be used day or night and doesn’t interfere with other products or other active ingredients that you might be using.
Ready to try this serum for yourself, for the best price of the year? Grab one on Amazon to see what all the hype is about for yourself.
Read more promising reviews of Amazon’s beloved anti-aging serum and grab one for yourself at the best price of the year.
“The IOPE BIO-PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum is a total game-changer for my skin! The high 38% BIO-PDRN helps boost skin repair and elasticity, while the caffeine works to depuff and brighten my complexion. My skin feels firmer, smoother, and looks more awake almost like I’ve had a full night’s rest. The texture is lightweight and absorbs quickly, leaving no stickiness, just a healthy, rejuvenated glow. It’s perfect for mornings when I need that extra boost of radiance.” — Amberlisse
“I’ve been using this serum for a few weeks, and I can honestly say it feels like a mini spa treatment in a bottle. The texture is silky and absorbs quickly without feeling sticky, which I really appreciate.” — Linda
“I love this PDRN by IOPE. I have been using this for over a year now, and I love the fact that this Bio-PDRN is powered by plants instead of salmon, making it vegan. There is no scent and it does not leave a sticky residue on my skin. I am 54 and it helps with dryness caused by aging. My skin soaks this serum up and I will continue purchasing.” — amy currie
Looking for other Black Friday beauty deals? Check out these reader-favs currently on sale at Amazon.
The ever-popular and rapidly selling Crest 3D Whitestrips (34% off list price)
There's a reason these things absolutely fly off the shelves every time they're on sale: they really can work. So well, in fact, they have 4.6 stars from close to 99,000 customers. All you have to do is peel off two strips and apply them for 45 minutes once a day, and Crest says you can see a difference of up to 20 shades whiter in about three weeks. This kit comes with 44 Professional Effects Whitestrips — enough for 22 days of treatments — and two one-hour Express Whitening treatments. Get it for 34% off.
Bottom line: It's a solid buy any time it's on sale.
Dermora foot peel mask (28% off list price)
Available in several fragrances like peach, rose and lavender, this reader- and Amazon-favorite foot mask uses all-natural ingredients to exfoliate rough, cracked and callused feet. In just two weeks, feet are smoother, more hydrated, and renewed. This set comes with two sets of treatments and the booties fit most foot sizes. You'll want to jump on this deal to keep your feet smooth and soft this winter. Get it for 28% off.
Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen gel sheet masks (36% off list price)
Find out why these gel sheet masks have gone viral and pick up a set of four Medicube masks for yourself. The color-changing masks indicate when your skin has absorbed all the deliciously nourishing ingredients, revealing a "glass skin" look. They're enriched with Salmon DNA PDRN and hydrolyzed collagen, giving. you what many users say is that "fresh botox" look. Get it for 36% off.
Bottom line: It's the lowest price they've been all year.
A 2-pack of Clean Skin Club disposable facial towels (20% off list price)
Washing your face daily can feel like an arduous task, made more so when you factor in the labor or having to launder washcloths. As if that weren't annoying enough on its own, dermatologist Joshua Zeichner previously told HuffPost, “Items like washcloths can be a breeding ground for microorganisms if they are left out wet and reused.
Plant-based and disposable, the cult-favorite Clean Skin Club towels are designed to help keep skin germ-free post-wash, so you can apply products with a fresh face, clean conscience and without added microorganisms. Endorsed by thousands of happy reviewers, these soft, plush and surprisingly large towels are as good as it gets. Some users even noted that they helped to reduce skin irritation. Grab a 2-pack for 20% off.
Bottom line: These have become a staple in myriad HuffPost readers' skin care routines, making them worthy of high praise.
A salmon PDRN serum that can improve skin elasticity (21% off list price)
This recognizable pink serum is made by Medicube, a Korean beauty brand that's quickly become synonymous with tons of PDRN-based products, from jelly masks to toners and face creams. (And if you don't already know, PDRN is a skin care ingredient shown to accelerate repair of damaged skin and promote new tissue growth, according to dermatologists. It's one of Medicube's best sellers on Amazon, and in addition to salmon sperm-derived PDRN, it's enriched with a complex containing five different types of peptides, which, according to dermatologists that we previously spoke to, are amino acid proteins known to boost collagen production, improve skin texture and promote wound healing. You can also expect to find soothing basil leaf extracts to calm irritated skin, powerful hydrators to draw in moisture, and niacinamide, a well-studied antioxidant that can fade dark spots and brighten skin.
Through Dec. 2, you can save on several of Medicube's products on Amazon.
The TruSkin vitamin C facial serum (45% off)
HuffPost readers can't get enough of this cult-favorite serum. It has over 95,000 five-star ratings and is overflowing with glowing reviews. It has a nourishing formula to help reduce fine lines and sun damage, improve the look of dark spots and leave skin looking and feeling bright and fresh. Amazon's got it labeled as 56% off but per our trackers, it's more of a 45% deal which is still dang good.
Promising review: "I have been using this product at night and sometimes again in the morning. My face and neck do seem to be more 'alive' in appearance, softer and brighter, and I sometimes put very little make on or just a tinted moisturizer on. I am age 51. I have this on autoship and plan to continue to use it to see if I like it long term. Definitely a bargain skin care product." — Angela Dock
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)