📌 Key answer (checked Oct 26, 2026)
Choose Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum ($27.37 on Amazon, 30 ml) if you want a fragrance-free hydrating serum built around about 3% hyaluronic acid with a small amount of PDRN (100 ppm). Choose Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum ($18.90 on Amazon, 30 ml) if you want more PDRN (1% on the label) plus five peptides for less money, and you're fine with added fragrance.
Oily skin, or avoiding fragrance but want Medicube? Look at its Ultra Light PDRN version, which Amazon lists as free from artificial fragrance.
Anua and Medicube both sell a viral "salmon DNA" PDRN serum, both are 30 ml, and both have a 4.6-star average on Amazon US. So which one should go in your cart?
The short version: they are built for different jobs. Anua is a hydration serum with a little PDRN. Medicube is a peptide serum with a lot more PDRN and a richer, fragranced base.
I'm a shopper based in Korea, where both brands are on every Olive Young shelf. I put this comparison together from the brands' official product pages, full ingredient lists, retailer listings and Amazon US. I have not used or tested these serums, so you won't find "my skin glowed after a week" claims here. Every price below was checked on October 26, 2026, and every source is listed at the end.
What is the main difference between Anua and Medicube PDRN serum?
The main difference is the base formula: Anua is a fragrance-free hyaluronic acid serum, while Medicube is a peptide serum with 1% PDRN, emollients and added fragrance.
Both contain sodium DNA, the ingredient name for PDRN on the label. Both are 30 ml (1.01 fl oz). After that, they split:
- Anua lists sodium DNA as the 21st of 34 ingredients. Its supporting cast is mostly hyaluronic acid in several forms, niacinamide, glutathione and collagen. Anua calls this a "Triple Revitalizing Complex" (PDRN + hyaluronic acid + collagen).
- Medicube lists sodium DNA as the 8th of 41 ingredients and prints "PDRN (Sodium DNA) 1%" and "5 Types Peptide Complex" on the bottle. Its base also includes isopropyl myristate and polyisobutene (emollients) and fragrance.
Put simply: Anua sells hydration first, Medicube sells PDRN and peptides first.
Anua vs Medicube PDRN comparison table
| Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum | Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum (Salmon DNA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 30 ml / 1.01 fl oz | 30 ml / 1.01 fl oz (also 3.71 fl oz on Amazon) |
| PDRN (sodium DNA) | 100 ppm = 0.01% (YesStyle ingredient ppm list) | 1% (printed on bottle; iHerb listing) |
| Position in INCI | 21st of 34 | 8th of 41 |
| Main supporting ingredients | Hyaluronic acid (~3% total), niacinamide, glutathione, hydrolyzed collagen | 5 peptides, niacinamide, collagen, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B12 |
| Fragrance in ingredient list | No | Yes ("Fragrance") |
| Color comes from | Ingredients (natural emerald tint, per Anua) | Vitamin B12 / cyanocobalamin (pink, per Medicube) |
| Brand-listed skin type | All skin types (Amazon tags: all, combination, normal, oily) | Dry, combination (product page); FAQ says all skin types |
| Amazon US price (Oct 26) | $27.37 ($27.10/fl oz) | $18.90 ($18.71/fl oz) |
| Amazon rating | 4.6★ (1,713 ratings) | 4.6★ (25,813 ratings) |
| Amazon seller | Ships from Amazon, sold by Anua | Ships from Amazon, sold by Medicube & Aprilskin |
| Official US site price | $28 (anua.us) | $24, compare-at $26 (medicube.us) |
Price per fl oz = Amazon price ÷ 1.01 (our math). Ratings and prices change often.
What is PDRN, and does it matter which serum has more?
PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a DNA-fragment ingredient usually taken from salmon or trout; on a cosmetic label it appears as "sodium DNA."
In Korea, PDRN became famous through in-clinic skin treatments, and that buzz moved into serums, toners and creams. A serum is a cosmetic, not a clinic treatment. Results from injected or professional products don't automatically carry over to a bottle you apply at home.
So does "more PDRN" win? Not automatically. Medicube's 1% is 100 times Anua's 100 ppm on paper, but neither brand publishes a head-to-head test, and how the rest of the formula feels on your skin will decide whether you keep using it. Treat the PDRN number as one line on the spec sheet, not the whole verdict.
Which PDRN serum has more PDRN: Anua or Medicube?
Medicube has more: its bottle says 1% PDRN (sodium DNA), while Anua's disclosed amount is 100 ppm, which equals 0.01%.
Anua's number comes from the ingredient-by-ppm list published on YesStyle's product page (sodium DNA 100 ppm), and Anua's Amazon Singapore listing describes the serum as "infused with 100ppm PDRN." The same YesStyle list shows hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid at 29,049 ppm and sodium hyaluronate at 800 ppm, which is why we describe Anua as roughly a 3% hyaluronic acid serum.
Medicube's 1% is printed on the front of the bottle (see the photo below) and repeated on its iHerb listing.
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum (Salmon DNA), 30 ml. The label reads "PDRN (Sodium DNA) 1%" and "5 Types Peptide Complex." Image: medicube US official store
What does Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum claim?
Anua markets it as a hydrating, plumping "glass skin" serum with salmon-derived PDRN carried in "Smart Capsule 100" microcapsules.
- Size and price: 30 ml / 1.01 fl oz, $28 on anua.us and $27.37 on Amazon US (Subscribe & Save showed $26.00).
- Brand test numbers: Anua reports +8.93% hydration/plumping and +24.64% deep hydration after a single use. These are the brand's own figures; we could not see the full test details.
- Label claims: clinically tested, non-comedogenic, low irritation, no artificial color. The ingredient list contains no fragrance.
- How Anua says to use it: morning and night before moisturizer, with SPF 30+ in the day. It suggests layering 2–3 times at night or mixing a drop into foundation.
On Amazon US it carries an "Amazon's Choice" badge, ranked #71 in Facial Serums on Oct 26, and 81% of its 1,713 ratings are 5 stars. One thing reviewers flag: make sure the box arrives sealed and that the seller is Anua.
Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum, 30 ml / 1.01 fl oz. Image: Anua US official store
What does Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum claim?
Medicube markets it as a firming and brightening serum with salmon DNA PDRN, a five-peptide complex and niacinamide.
- Size and price: 30 ml / 1.01 fl oz, $24 on medicube.us (compare-at $26) and $18.90 on Amazon US. Subscribe & Save showed $17.95 (5%) or $17.01 (10%).
- Versions: Salmon DNA PDRN, Rose PDRN (Vegan) and Ultra Light PDRN. Check which one you're clicking.
- Brand claims: visible improvement "in as little as two weeks" (Medicube adds that individual results vary), dermatologist-tested, low-irritating, pH 5.8–7.8, no artificial color. In Korea it is registered as a dual-function cosmetic for wrinkle care and brightening.
- Why it's pink: vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Medicube says it doesn't stain.
- Peptides in the INCI: palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, copper tripeptide-1 and acetyl hexapeptide-8.
On Amazon US it ranked #3 in Facial Serums and #56 in all of Beauty on Oct 26, with 25,813 ratings (83% 5-star). Amazon's review summary also mentions some reports of breakouts or irritation, which is worth knowing if your skin clogs easily.
Which is better for dry, oily, sensitive or acne-prone skin?
For dry skin either can work; for oily or fragrance-sensitive skin, Anua or Medicube's Ultra Light version is the safer starting point on paper.
Medicube's own product page lists the original serum's skin type as dry and combination, though its FAQ says it suits all skin types. Its formula includes isopropyl myristate, an emollient some acne-prone shoppers prefer to avoid, plus fragrance. Anua's formula has neither.
| Your situation | Better fit on paper | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dry or dehydrated skin | Either; Medicube if you want richer | Anua stacks hyaluronic acid; Medicube adds emollients and peptides |
| Oily or combination skin | Anua or Medicube Ultra Light | Lighter bases; Medicube's original is listed for dry/combination |
| Avoid fragrance | Anua or Medicube Ultra Light | Original Medicube INCI lists "Fragrance" |
| Breakout-prone | Anua (patch-test anyway) | No isopropyl myristate; Medicube reviews mention some breakouts |
| Want peptides / firming focus | Medicube | 5 peptides + 1% PDRN on the label |
| Avoid fish-derived ingredients | Medicube Rose PDRN (Vegan) | Both standard versions use salmon-derived PDRN |
| Tightest budget | Medicube | $18.90 vs $27.37 for the same 30 ml on Amazon |
Which PDRN serum is cheaper on Amazon?
Medicube is cheaper: $18.90 for 30 ml ($18.71 per fl oz) versus Anua at $27.37 ($27.10 per fl oz) on Amazon US on Oct 26, 2026.
That's about 31% less for Medicube at the same size. The gap gets bigger if you buy a larger bottle: Amazon also sells a 3.71 fl oz Medicube size. On Oct 26, the 3.71 fl oz Ultra Light PDRN version was $16.90 on a limited-time deal (typical price $21.90), about $4.56 per fl oz by our math.
Both listings ship from Amazon and are sold by the brands' own storefronts, which is what you want. Both brands' official US sites charge more than Amazon on the day we checked ($28 for Anua, $24 for Medicube).
Can you use Anua and Medicube PDRN serum together?
You can, but most people don't need two PDRN serums; if you do layer them, apply the thinner Anua serum first and the richer Medicube serum second.
A simpler setup is one serum in the morning and the other at night. Medicube's FAQ says its serum can be used with vitamin C or retinol if you introduce them gradually. If you use strong actives, add one new product at a time so you can tell what your skin is reacting to.
Soo Beauty (Korean skincare YouTuber) reviews 10+ PDRN products, including both serums in this post. The video says it is not sponsored.
Buyer's checklist: how to pick the right PDRN serum and avoid fakes
- ☐ Choose by the base formula, not the word "PDRN" on the front. Hydration (Anua) and peptides (Medicube) are different goals.
- ☐ Avoiding fragrance? Read the ingredient list. The original Medicube lists "Fragrance"; Anua does not.
- ☐ Check the Medicube version before you add to cart: Salmon DNA PDRN, Rose PDRN (Vegan) or Ultra Light PDRN, in 1.01 or 3.71 fl oz.
- ☐ Check "Sold by" on Amazon. On Oct 26 it was Anua for Anua, and Medicube & Aprilskin for Medicube.
- ☐ The box should arrive sealed. Compare the label and batch code with the brand's official photos.
- ☐ Compare price per fl oz, not per bottle, especially with the 3.71 fl oz size and 2-packs.
- ☐ Patch-test first if you're breakout-prone or already use retinoids or exfoliating acids.
What are the limits of this comparison?
- No hands-on testing. I have not used either serum. Texture and feel come from brand descriptions and Amazon review summaries, not my skin.
- Brand-reported numbers. Anua's hydration percentages and Medicube's "two weeks" claim come from the brands. Neither has published a head-to-head study against the other.
- Conflicting details online. YesStyle says Anua uses "11 kinds of hyaluronic acid," but we count 8 hyaluronic acid forms in the published ingredient list. Medicube's page lists "dry, combination" skin but its FAQ says all skin types. Korean review platforms also differ: a third-party blog (Seoulvanie, Sep 26, 2026) reported Hwahae scores of 4.61 for Anua vs 3.94 for Medicube, which we could not check ourselves.
- Prices move. Amazon prices and deals change daily; the 3.71 fl oz deal price in particular is temporary.
Final verdict: Anua or Medicube PDRN serum?
Buy Anua if you want a gentle, fragrance-free hydrating serum; buy Medicube if you want the most PDRN and peptides per dollar and don't mind fragrance.
If your skin is oily, breakout-prone or fragrance-sensitive, start with Anua or Medicube's Ultra Light version. If your skin is dry and you're curious about peptides, the original Medicube is the cheaper experiment at $18.90. Either way, buy from the brand's own Amazon storefront and give one serum a few weeks before adding the next.
FAQ
Q1. Is Anua or Medicube PDRN serum better?
Neither is better for everyone. Anua is a fragrance-free hyaluronic acid serum with 100 ppm PDRN; Medicube has 1% PDRN, five peptides and fragrance, and costs less on Amazon.
Q2. How much PDRN is in Anua PDRN serum?
100 ppm sodium DNA (0.01%), per the ingredient ppm list on YesStyle and the "100ppm PDRN" wording on Anua's Amazon Singapore listing.
Q3. How much PDRN is in Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum?
1% sodium DNA, as printed on the bottle and on iHerb's listing.
Q4. Does Medicube PDRN serum have fragrance?
Yes. The Salmon DNA version's ingredient list includes "Fragrance." Amazon describes the Ultra Light PDRN version as free from artificial fragrance.
Q5. Is Anua PDRN serum fragrance-free?
Its published ingredient list contains no fragrance, and Amazon tags it "Fragrance Free."
Q6. Why is Medicube's serum pink and Anua's green?
Medicube says its pink comes from vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin). Anua says its emerald color comes from its ingredients, with no artificial color.
Q7. Is there a vegan PDRN option?
Medicube sells a Rose PDRN (Vegan) version. Anua's PDRN serum uses salmon-derived PDRN.
Q8. Where is it cheapest to buy in the US?
On Oct 26, 2026, Amazon US was cheaper than both official US sites: Anua $27.37 vs $28, Medicube $18.90 vs $24.
Sources (checked Oct 26, 2026)
- Anua US, PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum (price, claims, ingredients): https://anua.us/products/pdrn-hyaluronic-acid-capsule-100-serum
- YesStyle, Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum (ingredient ppm list): https://www.yesstyle.com/en/anua-pdrn-hyaluronic-acid-capsule-100-serum-30ml/info.html/pid.1132449410
- Amazon US, Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum (ASIN B0DLB58CWR): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLB58CWR
- medicube US, PDRN Pink Peptide Serum (price, claims, FAQ, ingredients): https://medicube.us/products/rose-pdrn-pink-peptide-serum
- Amazon US, medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum (ASIN B0DBF65JYY): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DBF65JYY
- Amazon US, medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum Ultra Light 3.71 fl oz (ASIN B0G29ZZQWG): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G29ZZQWG
- iHerb, medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum: https://www.iherb.com/pr/medicube-pdrn-pink-peptide-serum-1-01-fl-oz-30-ml/150469
- The Skincare Space, Anua vs Medicube PDRN Serums (updated Oct 7, 2026): https://theskincarespace.com/anua-vs-medicube-pdrn-serums/
- K-Beauty Wiki, Anua vs Medicube: https://kbeautywiki.com/anua-vs-medicube/
- Seoulvanie, Anua vs Medicube PDRN Serum (Sep 26, 2026): https://seoulvanie.com/en/anua-vs-medicube-pdrn-serum/
- YouTube, Soo Beauty, "Which PDRN is WORTH checking out?! Review on Top 10 PDRN products": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta8YCA1Voc8
No affiliate links. Prices are in USD and were checked on Oct 26, 2026; they may have changed since. This post is shopping research, not medical advice.
