Skin
Pretty Steals: Ten Affordable K-Beauty Finds from September
From an onion-extract moisturizer to a face mask that works like a toner, this month's Pretty Steals is all about K-beauty. Here are ten affordable standouts worth making room for in your September routine.
Text Ebru Kabacık
Isntree Onion Newpair Gel Cream, 1,200 TL
Fast-absorbing gel moisturizers are a lifesaver for combination and oily skin. Isntree’s pairs that lightweight texture with 71% onion extract (yes, you read that right) to help fade the look of post-acne marks while easing redness and sensitivity. It hydrates without feeling heavy, too.
Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Light Cleansing Oil, 900 TL
This silky cleansing oil makes quick work of sunscreen and makeup, dissolving both without drying skin out. Add a little water and it transforms into a milky emulsion that rinses away cleanly. Centella asiatica helps keep skin calm while it works.
Etude Soonjung Panthensoside Sheet Mask, 109.50 TL
Etude’s Soonjung mask is one to keep on hand when seasonal shifts leave your skin feeling dry or your barrier needs a little backup. The pared-down formula delivers a hit of hydration and helps settle visible redness.
Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum, 1,799 TL
PDRN is having a major moment in skincare, and this Anua serum brings it together with hyaluronic acid and hydrolyzed collagen. We love the luminous finish, which makes it worth a look if glass skin is the goal. It also helps soothe skin and lock in moisture.
Mamonde Flora Glow Rose Liquid Mask, 1,035 TL
Here’s a face mask you apply like a toner. Mamonde’s water-light formula pairs 10% polyhydroxy acid (PHA) with rose peptide to smooth uneven texture and give skin a brighter look. Pat it on and let it sink in, no rinsing required. If you’re using it in the morning, finish with SPF.
Dr. Althea Pure Grinding Cleansing Balm, 1,119 TL
No digging around in a jar here. Twist the container to dispense the balm, then massage it onto dry skin to dissolve makeup and sunscreen. Camellia seed oil and grape seed oil help leave skin feeling soft. Add a splash of water, then rinse. Follow with a water-based cleanser if you’re double cleansing.
Jumiso Snail Mucin 95 + Peptide Facial Serum, 1,000 TL
Snail mucin is K-beauty royalty, and this serum puts it front and center. It drenches skin in moisture and helps it look plumper, but its appeal goes beyond hydration: the formula also helps soften the visible signs of sun damage. New to snail mucin? Start with a patch test to see how your skin responds.
Some By Mi AHA BHA PHA Toner, 800 TL
Some By Mi’s popular toner combines alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), beta hydroxy acid (BHA), and polyhydroxy acid (PHA) to help improve the look of dark spots and pores. If a strong chemical peel feels like too much, this offers a gentler way into exfoliation, with hydrating ingredients to help keep skin comfortable.
VT Cosmetics Reedle Shot Vita-Light Eye Cream, 1,600 TL
VT brings its microneedling-inspired approach to eye care with this cream, which targets dryness and the look of fine lines. The formula uses tiny, needle-shaped particles known as Cica Reedle, alongside vitamin C to help brighten the eye area. The metal applicator adds a cooling touch for tired, puffy-looking eyes.
Medicube Zero Pore Pad 2.0, 1,249.90 TL
You’ve probably seen these toner pads all over your feed. Salicylic acid and lactic acid help lift away dead skin and excess oil while refining the look of pores. After cleansing, gently sweep the textured side over skin, then follow with the smooth side and pat in the remaining essence.
