We Tested the Medicube PDRN Serum on Three Different Skin Types—And It’s 30% Off for Prime Day

Frequently asked questions

Because PDRN serums tend to be lightweight and water-based, they should be applied after cleansing and before heavier creams. “In a typical routine, you would cleanse the skin, apply a toner or essence if desired, then apply the PDRN serum before sealing everything in with a moisturizer.”

In the morning, she recommends finishing the routine with sunscreen to help protect the skin barrier.

Yes – most experts agree that PDRN is a gentle ingredient that can be used daily. “In general, PDRN is a very well-tolerated ingredient and suitable for most skin types, including sensitive skin,” says Hall. “Because it is primarily soothing and hydrating rather than exfoliating or highly active, it can usually be used on a daily basis.”

Most people can incorporate it into both their morning and evening routines without any issues, although Hall does recommend patch testing when introducing any new skincare product. A word of warning, however: if you have a fish or marine allergy, PDRN is best avoided entirely because it’s derived from fish, but more vegan alternatives are cropping up.

Personally, I found it worked best in my evening routine when my skin could benefit from the extra hydration and repair overnight, but I did occasionally layer the serum into my daytime routine without any issues.

Fresh from the brand behind South Korea’s bestselling device, the Age R Booster Pro, and the viral Overnight Collagen Mask, Medicube’s PDRN Pink Peptide Serum is a lightweight treatment step designed to support skin regeneration, hydration and elasticity. The formula combines PDRN with peptides alongside hydrating ingredients designed to boost moisture levels and leave skin looking smoother and more luminous.

While injectable polynucleotides work deeper within the skin, topical products work more at the surface level and focus on improving hydration, calming inflammation and supporting the skin barrier. “For this reason, it can be particularly helpful when the skin feels irritated, sensitive or compromised,” says Hall.

As beauty editors with years of experience between us, we regularly test new skincare launches and interview leading experts, including Dr. Hall – who was interviewed for this piece – alongside consultant dermatologists, facialists and cosmetic chemists about the ingredients that actually work and make a difference to the skin.

Over the years, between us we’ve written for titles including Glamour UK, Stylist, The Independent, The Telegraph, British Vogue, Elle UK and Marie Claire UK, covering everything from barrier repair and adult acne to the latest Korean skincare innovations and the trends shaping the global beauty industry. In short, we know more about the industry than your average beauty sleuth.

The beauty market – and your TikTok feeds – are oversaturated, so we never want to recommend a product for the sake of it. It’s important that we really put a product through its paces before writing a review – and share the downsides as well as the ups.

To test the Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, we incorporated it into our daily skincare routine for three weeks, applying it after cleansing and before moisturizer. Because PDRN focuses on skin repair and regeneration, we used it consistently at night alongside a fairly simple routine – cleanser, milky toner, the serum, and a barrier-supporting moisturizer. The texture is slightly viscous but still lightweight, and the pipette makes it easy to use a precise amount without over-applying.

When testing, we noted the consistency, the smell, how the product felt when it dried, how it layered with our other skincare products, and whether it irritated our skin (you’ll be pleased to know it didn’t). Over time, we monitored whether we actually saw a difference in our skin’s tone, texture and appearance – doing so by using before and after photographs that you can find below.

For this Prime Day update, Glamour UK‘s Freelance Writer Georgia Brown also retested the serum to assess whether it still deserved its viral status in 2026.

• Christine Hall, MD, an aesthetic doctor and K-beauty expert, specializing in skin health, regenerative treatments and advanced cosmetic procedures. She regularly treats patients using evidence-based skincare and injectable treatments, and advises on ingredients that support skin repair and barrier health