I’ve been pretty deep into ingredient-based skincare for a while now. The kind of person who reads medical abstracts for fun and has a spreadsheet tracking how different actives interact with my skin. So when I saw this Medicube ampoule topping Olive Young’s global bestseller list, it caught my attention. I had to try it myself, not just for the hype but to understand why it was getting that much attention.

I ordered it through Olive Young Global since I live in the US and wanted to make sure I was getting the real thing. Shipping was quick, and the ampoule came in sleek, minimal packaging. First impression: aesthetically pleasing, but I care more about what’s inside.

Let’s dive into the formulation

PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide)
This is the headline ingredient. PDRN is a DNA fragment derived from salmon that’s been shown in medical studies to help with tissue regeneration and inflammation. It works by binding to A2A receptors in the skin, promoting cellular turnover and healing. Sounds amazing in theory.

But here’s the catch. Most of the studies showing impressive results involve PDRN in injectable form, often used post-laser or in dermatology clinics. Topical application can help, but the concentration and formulation delivery system are key. Medicube doesn’t share how much PDRN is in this serum, which makes it difficult to predict how effective it will be.

⠀
Peptide Complex (including Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, etc.)
Peptides are a big win for skin health. They signal your skin to produce more collagen, improve firmness, and reduce the appearance of fine lines. Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 in particular has a mild muscle-relaxing effect that can soften expression lines with consistent use.

Medicube includes a blend of peptides, which is great in theory. But peptides are fragile and need a stable formulation plus an effective delivery mechanism to actually work. Medicube advertises “microfluidizer technology” to enhance penetration, but there’s no clinical evidence provided to support this claim. So while the peptides look great on the ingredient list, we don’t know if they’re actually reaching where they need to go.

⠀
Supporting Ingredients: Niacinamide, Adenosine, Panthenol
This trio is a smart move. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) strengthens the skin barrier and brightens uneven tone. Adenosine is anti-inflammatory and promotes elasticity. Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) soothes and hydrates. These ingredients are backed by lots of research and tend to be well-tolerated by sensitive skin types.

Still, these are ingredients you can find in a lot of other, more affordable products. They’re doing good work in the background, but they’re not the stars of the show here.

⠀
Texture and Real-World Use
The ampoule itself is a slightly thick, pink-tinted serum. It spreads easily and absorbs decently fast, but it leaves behind a noticeable tackiness. I tried it both morning and night, alone and under moisturizer, but the sticky finish never fully went away. It’s not ideal if you’re layering makeup or other serums.

My skin didn’t react negatively. No breakouts, redness, or irritation. But after a full three weeks of use, I didn’t notice any real improvement in texture, tone, or firmness. It felt hydrating, yes, but not transformational. For the price and the hype, that was disappointing.

⠀
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone with sensitive or post-treatment skin and you’re looking for a very gentle, calming serum, this might be a good fit. It’s cosmetically elegant, non-irritating, and layers well if you don’t mind a bit of stickiness. And I can see why it appeals to a broad international market.

But if you’re expecting dramatic anti-aging effects or deep regeneration, you might walk away underwhelmed. The star ingredients (PDRN and peptides) are not transparent in concentration or scientifically backed in their topical delivery here. For an ingredients-first user like me, that’s a red flag.

Would I repurchase? Honestly, no. I’d rather invest in peptide products with clinical trials behind them or formulations where concentrations are clearly listed. That said, if Medicube releases a version with encapsulated delivery or published data, I’d be curious to try again.

Skincare is personal and experimental. This one just didn’t move the needle for me.

⠀