MediCube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum Versus VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100
Updated on April 17, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and reef safe . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain niacinamide
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing and dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
MediCube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum 40 ingredients
VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100 31 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
MediCube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum 40 ingredients
VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100 31 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Sodium Dna
Skin ConditioningMilt Extract
Skin ConditioningCopper Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Acetyl Hexapeptide-8
Humectant
Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingPolyglycerin-3
HumectantGlyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
HumectantPvm/Ma Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycereth-26
HumectantAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Parfum
Masking
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientTromethamine
BufferingSodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPolyisobutene
Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside
CleansingSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Atelocollagen
Skin Conditioning
Salmon Egg Extract
Cyanocobalamin
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningCurcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningCorallina Officinalis Extract
Skin ConditioningWater, Disodium EDTA, Niacinamide, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sodium Dna, Milt Extract, Copper Tripeptide-1, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Pvm/Ma Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycereth-26, Adenosine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isopropyl Myristate, Ubiquinone, Parfum, Caprylyl Glycol, Tromethamine, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Polyisobutene, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Sorbitan Oleate, Atelocollagen, Salmon Egg Extract, Cyanocobalamin, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Melia Azadirachta Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Ocimum Sanctum Leaf Extract, Corallina Officinalis Extract
Water
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingCetyl Ethylhexanoate
EmollientGlycerin
Humectant
Propanediol
SolventNiacinamide
Smoothing
Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Skin Conditioning
PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate
Emulsifying
Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate
Emulsifying
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningTocopherol
Antioxidant
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingArginine
Masking
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil
Emollient
Disodium EDTA
Hydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Squalane
Emollient
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Polyglucuronic Acid
Skin ConditioningCeramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide As
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Dna
Skin ConditioningWater, Isopropyl Myristate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Adenosine, Ceramide NP, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Squalane, Panthenol, Polyglucuronic Acid, Ceramide Ns, Ceramide As, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Dna
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterDisodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTANiacinamide is a multitasking form of vitamin B3 that strengthens the skin barrier, reduces pores and dark spots, regulates oil, and improves signs of aging.
And the best part? It's gentle and well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive and reactive skin.
You might have heard of "niacin flush", or the reddening of skin that causes itchiness. Niacinamide has not been found to cause this.
In very rare cases, some individuals may not be able to tolerate niacinamide at all or experience an allergic reaction to it.
If you are experiencing flaking, irritation, and dryness with this ingredient, be sure to double check all your products as this ingredient can be found in all categories of skincare.
When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.
When you apply niacinamide to your skin, your body converts it into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). NAD is an essential coenzyme that is already found in your cells as "fuel" and powers countless biological processes.
In your skin, NAD helps repair cell damage, produce new healthy cells, support collagen production, strengthen the skin barrier, and fight environmental stressors (like UV and pollution).
Our natural NAD levels start to decline with age, leading to slower skin repair, visible aging, and a weaker skin barrier. By providing your skin niacinamide, you're recharging your skin's NAD levels. This leads to stronger, healthier, and younger looking skin.
Another name for vitamin B3 is nicotinamide. This vitamin is water-soluble and our bodies don't store it. We obtain Vitamin B3 from either food or skincare. Meat, fish, wheat, yeast, and leafy greens contain vitamin B3.
The type of niacinamide used in skincare is synthetically created.
Learn more about NiacinamideSodium DNA is an emerging anti-aging ingredient.
It is created by taking deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and purifying it with sodium hydroxide.
The DNA is extracted from several different animal sources, including: calf thymus, the gonadic tissue of a male sturgeon, or herring / salmon sperm.
You have probably seen this ingredient in anti-aging skincare. But what is it?
DNA is composed of nucleotides, or chemical building blocks. Nucleotides include adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G), and cytosine (C). Talk about a flashback to biology! Nucleosides are formed from these nucleotides.
The science behind Sodium DNA is based on an ingredient called Polydeoxyribonucleotide or PDRN.
PDRN are DNA fragments mainly extracted from the sperm cells of trout or salmon. Meaning, PDRN can be derived from Sodium DNA.
PDRN consists of chains of nucleotides and nucleosides mentioned above. They can range anywhere from 80 - 2000 pairs.
Studies show PDRN has the following properties:
Further studies are needed to truly confirm this ingredients anti-aging ability (Remember, retinol has decades of research!).
When using this ingredient, is is best to ask a brand about the source of their Sodium DNA. You'll want to find products where the Sodium DNA is sourced from fish. Some Sodium DNA is derived from calf / cow thymus.
Learn more about Sodium Dna1,2-Hexanediol is a synthetic liquid and another multi-functional powerhouse.
It is a:
- Humectant, drawing moisture into the skin
- Emollient, helping to soften skin
- Solvent, dispersing and stabilizing formulas
- Preservative booster, enhancing the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinAdenosine is in every living organism. It is one of four components in nucleic acids that helps store our DNA.
Adenosine has many benefits when used. These benefits include hydrating the skin, smoothing skin, and reducing wrinkles. Once applied, adenosine increases collagen production. It also helps with improving firmness and tissue repair.
Studies have found adenosine may also help with wound healing.
In skincare products, Adenosine is usually derived from yeast.
Learn more about AdenosineAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer is a synthetic polymer. It is used to thicken and improve the texture of products. Due to its properties, it can prevent water and oil ingredients from separating.
Isopropyl Myristate is an emollient, thickening agent, and texture enhancer. It is created from isopropyl alcohol and myristic acid.
It is used to help other ingredients be better absorbed. It is also an emollient and may help soften and hydrate the skin.
The comedogenic rating of this ingredient depends on the concentration. Lower amounts results in a lower rating.
Isopropyl Myristate may not be fungal acne safe. It can potentially worsen acne prone skin.
Learn more about Isopropyl MyristateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
MediCube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum 40 ingredients
VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100 31 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
MediCube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum 40 ingredients
Love it 😍 holy grail
VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100 31 ingredients
Great barrier restorative serum with some anti-aging benefit powered by PDRN, ginseng, and skin identical ingredients. Great anti-inflammatory. Not great for oily skin and there are better PDRN serums on the market for barrier restoration.
The PDRN in this product has low molecular weight, but this formulation has no delivery system for the PDRN and has only few super-mild penetration enhancers Show more
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