Attention, Please: The Glassy Results of This Under-the-Radar Korean Face Serum Must Be Witnessed

One of the most respected countries for skincare formulation is South Korea—and for good reason. Famed for its innovative, science-led approach to skincare, South Korea knows how to produce an exceptionally good product. And the latest face serum to steal the K-beauty spotlight? Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum.

As a beauty editor, I'm always testing out new product launches, but this one really made me stop and take notice, mainly because of the results. As a firm glass-skin devotee, I'm always on the lookout for skincare that will give me that plump, firm, smooth and reflective finish. And the Anua serum delivers. How? Well, it comes down to one of skincare's buzziest ingredients of the moment—PDRN, aka salmon sperm DNA.

Yes, you read that right. More famed in its injectable form (polyneucleotides), topical PDRN has also been shown to have impressive results—it just needs to be very cleverly formulated. Scroll ahead for my honest review of the Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum...

The Formula

The Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum is a lightweight, oily serum that promises a multitude of benefits and can be applied in several different ways, making it an easy multitasker to simplify your skincare routine.

So what exactly does this serum's hero ingredient do? "PDRN is a DNA/RNA-derived compound extracted from salmon or trout sperm, which has a structure remarkably similar to human DNA," says aesthetic doctor, Dr David Jack. Historically, it has been used in medicine as a wound-healer. "[It] stimulates fibroblast activity and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), as well as supports tissue repair through stimulation of DNA synthesis."

Recently, PDRN (or broader categories of polyneucleotides) have increasingly been positioned as a regenerative skincare injectable. "[They're used to] improve skin quality in terms of hydration, elasticity and recovery," says Dr Jack. Even newer to that, and still largely questioned, is their topical use.

"[PDRN] molecules themselves are large and relatively unstable, meaning that the ability to penetrate the skin barrier and remain biologically active in a cream or serum is still somewhat questionable, unless there is a sophisticated delivery mechanism, such as nanoencapsulation or the use of PDRN post-procedure (e.g. micro needling) when the skin is more permeable. If this is not the case, then the effects may be limited," Dr Jack explains.

And this is where the high-tech K-beauty formulations come in. The Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum uses Anua's exclusive ultra-low-molecular smart capsule technology to optimise the delivery of the active ingredients into the skin.

The Application

The Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum can be applied in both the morning and the evening, as you would any other serum. It can also be mixed into a foundation to make it lighter and dewier or applied at night in 2-3 layers to replace a sleeping mask.

No matter how you choose to use it in your routine, I can guarantee that you will get an instant glow boost. Your skin will look visibly more hydrated and juicy. Those with normal to dry skin will find that makeup sits beautifully on top of it, and that when applied on its own, it instantly makes skin look more nourished and radiant. For those with oily skin, it's worth noting that the super-dewy, oily texture might not be something you lean towards, but it is still wonderfully lightweight.

The Verdict

I can confirm that this serum does make your skin both look and feel amazing. When applied, it instantly boosts glow, plumps with hydration and gives a dewy finish. It also makes skin improvements over time and looks great under makeup. I've found that with continued use, this serum has helped repair my skin barrier and make my skin look healthier, as well as reduce the appearance of inflammation and brighten pigmentation. That doesn't mean I'm necessarily swapping out all my other beloved skincare ingredients for this serum, but it is an excellent support system that has made a real change to my overall complexion.

At just £20 for 30ml, the Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum is an affordable serum that ticks many boxes. Whether you use it for its instant glass skin, glow-giving abilities, as a replacement for your current hyaluronic acid serum or as a support system for your other targeted serums (e.g., a regenerative EGF serum, a firming peptide serum or a brightening vitamin C serum), it seriously delivers.

Shop Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum