The Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum is a regenerative anti-ageing serum built around PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) derived from salmon DNA, layered with a five-peptide complex, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. PDRN works at a cellular level to support repair and regeneration, stimulating collagen production for firmer, more elastic skin.

It targets loss of firmness, fine lines, dullness and uneven tone. The formula suits mature, combination and normal skin, and is a strong fit for anyone whose skin has started to lose bounce and needs a rejuvenating lift rather than a stripping treatment. Because PDRN is a repair-focused ingredient rather than an exfoliant, it is also well tolerated by sensitive skin.

Volume: 30 mL. Part of the Medicube range at Seoul of Tokyo, and one of our core anti-ageing picks.

What Is PDRN, and Why Does It Matter?

PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide. It is a fragment of DNA extracted and purified from salmon, chosen because salmon DNA is structurally close to human DNA and is therefore well recognised by the skin.

Rather than resurfacing the skin the way an acid or retinoid does, PDRN works by supporting the skin’s own repair processes. It encourages fibroblast activity, which is the mechanism behind collagen production, and it has a calming, anti-inflammatory effect. In practice that means firmer, more resilient skin without the irritation, purging or downtime that usually comes with anti-ageing actives.

PDRN moved from clinics into at-home skincare in Korea and has become one of the fastest-growing categories in K-beauty. Browse the full PDRN range to see what else pairs with it.

How to Use: Your Seoul Guide

This serum is used morning and evening. Where it sits in the routine matters, so follow the order below.

Step 1: Cleanse

Start with clean skin. In the morning, a single water-based cleanser is enough. In the evening, double cleanse with an oil cleanser followed by a water-based cleanser to remove sunscreen, makeup and the day’s build-up.

Step 2: Tone

Apply your toner to rebalance the skin and prepare it to absorb what follows. Leave the skin lightly damp. Peptides and hyaluronic acid both perform better on damp skin than bone-dry skin.

Step 3: Essence (optional)

If you use an essence, apply it before this serum. Keep the layers light so nothing pills.

Step 4: Dispense

Pump a moderate amount into clean hands. Two to three pumps is enough for the full face. More is not better with a peptide serum, and overloading the skin causes pilling under sunscreen.

Step 5: Apply and massage

Gently massage the serum across the face and neck to aid absorption. Work upward and outward. Do not forget the neck and jawline, which are usually the first areas to show loss of firmness.

Step 6: Pat and let it settle

Press the remaining product into the skin with your palms and give it 30 to 60 seconds to absorb before the next step.

Step 7: Seal with moisturiser

Follow with your moisturiser to lock the serum in and support the barrier.

Step 8: Sunscreen in the morning

Finish your morning routine with sunscreen. UV exposure is the single largest driver of collagen breakdown, so skipping SPF undoes the work this serum is doing.

Frequency: Twice daily, morning and evening. PDRN and peptides are non-irritating, so there is no need to build up slowly. Results are cumulative, so consistency matters far more than quantity.

Why We Like It

PDRN does the work without the downtime. Most anti-ageing actives make you trade comfort for results. Retinoids bring purging and flaking, acids bring sensitivity and sun risk. PDRN works by supporting the skin’s own regeneration rather than forcing turnover, so you get firmness and elasticity without recovery days. For anyone who has tried retinol and given up, this is the alternative.

Five peptides, not one. The formula includes copper tripeptide-1, acetyl hexapeptide-8, palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7. These are not interchangeable. Copper tripeptide-1 is one of the most researched repair peptides in skincare, acetyl hexapeptide-8 works on expression lines, and the palmitoyl peptides signal collagen and elastin production. Most peptide serums use one or two and call it a peptide complex. See the full peptides range for comparison.

It treats tone as well as texture. Niacinamide sits high in the ingredient list, which means it is present at a meaningful concentration rather than as a token addition. It brightens, evens tone and helps regulate oil production, so the serum addresses dullness and uneven pigmentation alongside firmness. Ageing skin rarely has only one problem, and this formula acknowledges that.

Hydration is built in, not bolted on. Hydrolysed collagen, sodium hyaluronate and glycerin give immediate plumping while the peptides and PDRN work on the longer timeline. That is why skin looks better on day one even though the structural changes take weeks.

The antioxidant support is genuinely considered. Ubiquinone (CoQ10), turmeric root extract, holy basil and salmon egg extract are all included. These protect against the oxidative stress that accelerates collagen loss, which means the formula is defending existing collagen while stimulating new production. Treating and protecting at the same time is what separates a good anti-ageing serum from an average one.

It is gentle enough for sensitive, mature skin. This is the group most often left out of anti-ageing skincare, because the ingredients that work tend to irritate. PDRN, peptides and niacinamide are all well tolerated. Note that the formula does contain fragrance, so if you are highly fragrance-reactive, patch test first.

The texture layers cleanly. It is a lightweight, fast-absorbing serum that sits comfortably under moisturiser and sunscreen without balling up. A serum that pills gets skipped, and a serum that gets skipped does nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum do?

It firms the skin, smooths fine lines and improves elasticity using salmon-derived PDRN and a five-peptide complex. Niacinamide brightens and evens tone, while hyaluronic acid and collagen hydrate and plump.

What is PDRN and where does it come from?

PDRN is polydeoxyribonucleotide, a purified DNA fragment derived from salmon. Salmon DNA is structurally similar to human DNA, so the skin recognises and responds to it. It supports the skin’s own repair processes and stimulates collagen production.

How long does it take to see results?

Hydration and plumping are visible within days. Firmness and fine line improvement are structural changes and typically become noticeable from four weeks of consistent twice-daily use, with continued improvement over eight to twelve weeks.

Is this suitable for sensitive skin?

Generally yes. PDRN, peptides and niacinamide are all well tolerated and do not cause the irritation associated with retinoids or acids. The formula does contain fragrance, so patch test first if you are fragrance-reactive.

Can I use it with retinol?

Yes. PDRN and peptides pair well with retinol and can help offset the irritation retinol causes. Apply this serum first, then your retinol, or use this in the morning and retinol at night.

Can I use it with vitamin C or exfoliating acids?

Yes, though separate them by time of day if your skin is reactive. Copper peptides in particular are best not layered directly with strong vitamin C or acids in the same routine step. Use this serum in the evening and your vitamin C in the morning.

Is it vegan?

No. The formula contains salmon-derived PDRN, salmon egg extract and hydrolysed collagen, so it is not suitable for vegan routines.

What age should I start using PDRN?

There is no fixed age. PDRN is a repair and regeneration ingredient, so it suits anyone noticing early loss of firmness, dullness or fine lines, which for many people begins in their late twenties or thirties.

Where does it go in my routine?

After cleansing and toning, before moisturiser. Morning and evening.

Does it contain fragrance?

Yes, fragrance is listed in the ingredients. If you prefer fragrance-free formulations, browse our fragrance free collection.

Is it heavy or sticky?

No. It is a lightweight, fast-absorbing serum that layers cleanly under moisturiser and sunscreen without pilling.

Key Ingredients

PDRN (Sodium DNA, Milt Extract): Salmon-derived. Supports cellular repair and stimulates collagen production. Browse all PDRN products.

Five-Peptide Complex: Copper tripeptide-1, acetyl hexapeptide-8 and three palmitoyl peptides. Signal collagen and elastin production and soften expression lines. See more peptide serums.

Niacinamide: Vitamin B3. Brightens, evens tone, strengthens the barrier and regulates sebum. Browse all niacinamide products.

Hydrolysed Collagen: Low molecular weight collagen fragments that hydrate and improve immediate suppleness. See the collagen range.

Sodium Hyaluronate: The salt form of hyaluronic acid, with a smaller molecular size for better penetration and lasting hydration.

Ubiquinone (CoQ10): An antioxidant that protects existing collagen against the oxidative stress that drives its breakdown.