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Product photo: medicube.us (official brand store). The pack size shown may differ from the Korean 30ml.
PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
Medicube's pink PDRN ampoule: a light serum with sodium DNA (PDRN), niacinamide, five peptides, salmon roe extract and vitamin B12, which gives it its pink colour. Fragranced.
Buyer verdictA popular, pleasant glow serum riding Korea's PDRN trend, with a sensible supporting cast of niacinamide and peptides. It's fragranced, and the evidence for cosmetic PDRN is still early. Olive Young's set adds a 10ml ampoule and a 10ml cream, which makes the Seoul price good value.
- Key ingredient
- Sodium DNA (PDRN), Niacinamide
- Texture
- Light, slightly milky pink serum
- Routine step
- serum · AM & PM
- Korean pack
- 30ml (+10ml ampoule, +10ml cream)
Overview
Key ingredients
- Sodium DNA (PDRN) The trend ingredient, linked to skin repair; eighth on the list
- Niacinamide Brightening and barrier support; part of the registered brightening claim
- Five peptides, including copper tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 Small amounts of firmness-focused peptides
- Salmon roe extract and atelocollagen Marine extras behind the 'salmon PDRN' marketing
- Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) Gives the serum its pink colour
Seoul packs often add a bonus (+10ml ampoule, +10ml cream); we don't count it in the saving.
What it is
PDRN is Korea’s skincare ingredient of the moment, and Medicube’s pink ampoule is one of the best-selling PDRN products at Olive Young. It comes in a 30ml dropper bottle. Olive Young usually sells it as a set with an extra 10ml ampoule and a 10ml PDRN cream.
The Korean ingredient list starts with water, glycerin and humectants, then isopropyl myristate (a light emollient) and niacinamide. Sodium DNA, the PDRN, appears eighth. Further down are fragrance, neem, adenosine, turmeric, cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), hydrolyzed collagen and ubiquinone. At the end there are five peptides (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, copper tripeptide-1 and acetyl hexapeptide-8), salmon roe extract and atelocollagen.
Korea registers it as a functional cosmetic for brightening and wrinkle care.
Who it suits (and who should skip it)
Good pick if
- You want to try the PDRN trend in an affordable, pleasant serum
- Your skin looks dull and you’d like a glowier finish
- You want niacinamide and peptides in one light step
Skip it if
- You avoid fragrance
- You prefer vegan or fish-free skincare
- You want proven, high-strength actives; this is more of an all-rounder
What the ingredients do
PDRN is used in Korean dermatology clinics as an injectable to support tissue repair, and that clinical reputation is why it’s so popular in skincare. Applied to the skin’s surface in a serum, the evidence is much thinner, so treat it as a promising extra rather than a sure thing.
Niacinamide is the dependable active here. It brightens, calms redness and supports the barrier over several weeks. The peptides are popular firmness ingredients. Copper tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 are among the better-known ones, though they’re listed near the end in small amounts.
Vitamin B12 gives the pink colour. Salmon roe extract and atelocollagen support the marine marketing story.
How to use it
Medicube’s directions are to spread a suitable amount along the skin and pat it in gently. Use it morning and night after toner, then follow with moisturiser, and sunscreen in the morning.
It layers easily with most products, including retinol on alternate nights.
How it compares
Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream is the matching cream if you want the full routine. VT Reedle Shot 100 is the other big trend serum, focused on texture rather than glow. For marks and dark spots, Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% is the stronger choice.
Is it worth buying in Seoul?
Yes, for the set. Olive Young’s sale price includes a 30ml bottle plus a 10ml ampoule and a 10ml cream. We haven’t yet confirmed that the Amazon listings are the same edition, so this page doesn’t show a home price. The Olive Young set is good value on its own terms.
The set clears the ₩15,000 tax refund minimum.
FAQ
What is PDRN?
PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a DNA fragment, usually from salmon or trout. In Korean clinics it's injected to support healing. In skincare it's listed as sodium DNA, and the evidence for it on the skin's surface is still limited.
Why is it pink?
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is naturally deep pink-red, and a small amount tints the serum.
Does it contain fragrance?
Yes. Fragrance is listed in the middle of the Korean ingredient list.
Is it vegan?
No. It contains salmon roe extract and a fish-derived PDRN source, along with collagen.
