A green bottle from Anua, a pink one from Medicube – and both have PDRN written on them. If you’re looking for a serum for more moisture, you’ll quickly end up with these two. However, the common ingredient does not make them the same care product.

The Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum focuses on moisture binding agents and various forms of hyaluronic acid. The Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum contains several peptides. Here we look at the two 30 ml products from our range and which one suits your care needs better.

Anua or Medicube: the most important differences

Both bottles contain the same amount. If you would also like to see the price and the full ingredients side by side, our tool opens exactly this pair: Compare Anua PDRN and Medicube Pink Peptide directly .

When would we use Anua

You like your cream, but your skin still feels a bit thirsty after washing? Then Anua is the obvious choice for an additional moisturizing step. The formula contains, among other things, glycerin, niacinamide, sodium DNA and various forms of hyaluronic acid.

The serum is also interesting if you consciously want to avoid added perfume. This does not promise automatic compatibility, but it is a concrete difference to Medicube. To get to know it, just a few drops under your usual cream are enough; another new active ingredient does not have to be added at the same time.

When Medicube suits your needs better

Would you like to try out skin care with peptides in addition to moisture? Medicube is the more suitable of the two bottles. The list of ingredients includes Copper Tripeptide-1 and Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, as well as niacinamide and collagen components. The brand describes the serum as light and moisturizing.

In the version in our comparison, Fragrance, Milt Extract and Salmon Egg Extract are also in the INCI list. It is therefore not a vegan choice. Medicube offers additional variants internationally, including Rose PDRN; their properties cannot simply be transferred to this product. If you avoid fragrances, Anua has more to say.

What PDRN means in a serum

PDRN is the abbreviation for polydeoxyribonucleotides. You will find sodium DNA in both lists of ingredients. When making your selection, it’s worth looking at the entire formulation: How much moisture do you want to add, do you tolerate fragrances and are you interested in peptides?

The frequently shown results of injection treatments do not say anything reliable about the effect of these vials. A serum is cosmetic care. We explain in more detail what differentiates the terms in PDRN, collagen and peptides.

How to try one of the serums

Choose one first and stick to the rest of your care. Apply a small amount after cleansing, after toner if necessary, and finish with your cream. Your sun protection follows in the morning. If the burning sensation or significant redness persists, stop using the new product.

Layering both at the same time does little for this purchase decision. With a single new serum, you’ll find it easier to see whether you like the texture and feel of your skin.

Frequently asked questions

Is Anua PDRN better than Medicube?

For a moisturizing step without a listed perfume, we would choose Anua. If you would like to specifically try out the combination of PDRN and several peptides and can tolerate fragrances, you can get to know Medicube. This is a selection aid based on the recipes, not a measured comparison of effectiveness.

Does one of the serums replace my cream?

Both are intended as a serum step. If your skin tends to be dry, the cream on top is still useful. If you prefer a single final care step, you will find two other textures when comparing Medicube Jelly Cream and SKIN1004 Soothing Cream.

Do you already have several serums and want to know whether one of them can do this job? Write Thu about Ask Thu what you are currently using.

Editorial product comparison from Bloom & Shine, no separate application test. Basis: the shop recipes linked above and the manufacturer information from Medicube including variants . Reviewed September 18, 2026.