Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum Review: Worth the Viral Hype?

If you’ve been anywhere near K-beauty TikTok or the Olive Young bestseller shelf lately, you’ve probably seen this little emerald-tinted bottle everywhere. The Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum has been blowing up — it won the 2024 Glow Pick Awards, hit #1 on Hwahae, and keeps selling out on Olive Young. So naturally, I had to try it and find out if it actually lives up to the hype or if it’s just another trendy serum with good marketing.

For context, my skin runs combination-leaning-dry, and I was dealing with some lingering redness and dehydration from going a little too hard on actives. I needed something soothing and hydrating that wouldn’t feel heavy or clog my pores. Spoiler: this serum delivered on most fronts, but it’s not perfect.

First Impressions: Packaging & Texture

The first thing you notice is the color — the serum has this pale green, almost jade-like tint that looks really pretty in the bottle. That color comes naturally from the PDRN ingredient (salmon DNA), not from any added dyes. I appreciate that Anua didn’t feel the need to add artificial coloring on top of it.

The texture is watery but with a slight viscosity — think somewhere between a toner and a traditional serum. It’s definitely not thick or goopy like some hyaluronic acid serums I’ve tried. When you dispense it onto your fingers, it has this silky, almost fluid consistency that glides across your skin effortlessly. And the best part? Zero stickiness. It absorbs in maybe 20-30 seconds and just… disappears into your skin. No tacky residue, no pilling when you layer products on top.

There’s virtually no scent either. Maybe the faintest hint of something if you really put your nose to it, but it’s fragrance-free and you won’t notice anything during application.

What’s Actually In This Serum?

Let’s talk ingredients, because the formula is actually pretty interesting. The star ingredient is PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide) at 100ppm — that’s the salmon DNA-derived compound that’s been huge in Korean dermatology clinics for years. PDRN is known for supporting skin regeneration, reducing inflammation, and stimulating collagen production. The catch? Most of the clinical research on PDRN is about injections, not topical application. More on that in the FAQ section.

Beyond the PDRN, this serum packs 11 types of hyaluronic acid at various molecular weights — high, medium, and low — so you’re getting hydration at different layers of the skin. There’s also hydrolyzed collagen, niacinamide, glutathione, and adenosine in the mix. It’s a solid lineup for a hydrating serum, even if you set the PDRN hype aside.

How I Used It

I applied 2-3 drops after cleansing and toning, morning and night. Just pat it gently into the skin — no need to rub. It layers beautifully under moisturizer and sunscreen without any issues. On nights when my skin felt extra thirsty, I’d do 2-3 layers of this serum and skip my sleeping mask entirely. Honestly? My skin felt just as plump and hydrated in the morning.

A fun tip I picked up: you can mix a drop or two into your foundation for a more dewy, glass-skin finish. I tried it with my cushion compact and it actually worked really well — gave me that “lit from within” look without making my makeup slide around.

Results: What I Actually Noticed

Here’s where I’ll be honest — the results were good but not miraculous.

Days 1-3: Immediate hydration boost. My skin felt noticeably more comfortable and less tight after cleansing. The redness I’d been dealing with started to calm down a bit.

Week 1: The redness reduction was legit. My skin looked less irritated and more even-toned. I also noticed that my makeup was sitting better on my skin — no dry patches or flaking.

Weeks 2-3: This is where I started noticing texture improvements. My skin felt smoother overall and had more of that “bouncy” quality that K-beauty people love to talk about. The dehydration lines on my forehead were less noticeable.

Week 4+: My skin barrier felt stronger. I could use my retinol again without the same level of irritation I’d been experiencing before. The overall glow was real — multiple people asked me what I’d changed in my routine.

What I didn’t notice? Dramatic anti-aging results. No fine lines magically disappeared, no major firming effect. To be fair, I’m not expecting a $27 serum to replace professional treatments, but I want to set realistic expectations here.

Who It’s For (and Who Should Skip It)

You’ll love this if:

• Your skin is dehydrated, irritated, or your barrier is compromised
• You’re recovering from over-exfoliation or harsh treatments
• You want a lightweight hydrating serum that layers well
• You have sensitive skin and need something gentle and fragrance-free
• You’re chasing that glass skin look

You might want to skip it if:

• You have very oily skin and live in a humid climate — it might feel like too much hydration
• You’re looking for serious anti-aging results (the PDRN content at 100ppm is relatively low)
• You have extremely dry skin in winter and need something richer — this alone won’t cut it without a heavier moisturizer on top
• You have a fish or seafood allergy (the PDRN is derived from salmon)

Pros & Cons

What I love:

• Lightweight, non-sticky texture that absorbs in seconds
• Genuinely calming — reduced my redness and irritation fast
• Layers beautifully under other products with zero pilling
• Fragrance-free and gentle enough for sensitive skin
• 11 types of hyaluronic acid = real multi-layer hydration
• That natural emerald tint is just aesthetically satisfying

What could be better:

• 30ml bottle feels small for the price (~$27) — it lasts about 4-5 weeks with daily AM/PM use
• PDRN at 100ppm is on the lower side, and topical PDRN science is still catching up to the hype
• Anti-aging claims are overpromised — this is a hydrator first and foremost
• Might feel redundant if you already have a solid hyaluronic acid serum in your routine

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PDRN and is salmon DNA safe for skin?

PDRN stands for Polydeoxyribonucleotide — it’s a molecule extracted from salmon DNA (specifically salmon milt). It’s been used in Korean dermatology clinics for years via injections to promote wound healing and skin regeneration. Salmon DNA is about 95% similar to human DNA, which is why it’s considered highly biocompatible. Topically, it’s generally well-tolerated with very low irritation risk. That said, if you have a fish or seafood allergy, you should patch test or avoid it entirely.

Does PDRN actually work in topical skincare?

This is the big question. Most clinical studies on PDRN involve intradermal injections (like Rejuran Healer treatments in Korea), where the results are well-documented. Topical PDRN is newer territory, and the evidence is less conclusive. Anua uses what they call “smart capsule technology” to improve skin penetration, but realistically, you shouldn’t expect injection-level results from a serum. What you can expect is excellent hydration and soothing benefits from the overall formula.

How does the Anua PDRN serum compare to COSRX Snail Mucin?

Both are popular hydrating serums, but they feel quite different. The COSRX Snail Mucin has a thicker, more viscous texture that some people find slightly sticky. The Anua PDRN serum is much lighter and more watery, absorbing faster with zero residue. If you find snail mucin too thick or sticky, the Anua PDRN is a great alternative. If you need heavier-duty repair and don’t mind the texture, COSRX might give you more bang for your buck at a lower price point.

Can I use this serum with retinol or other actives?

Yes, and it’s actually a great companion for retinol. The hydrating and soothing properties help buffer irritation from strong actives. I used it both before and after retinol application on different nights, and it worked well either way. Just don’t apply it at the exact same time as your vitamin C serum (use one in the AM and one in the PM) to avoid potential interaction with the niacinamide in the formula.

Is the Anua PDRN serum good for oily skin?

It can work for oily skin because of its lightweight, watery texture. It won’t leave you feeling greasy or weighed down. However, if you’re very oily and live somewhere humid, the multi-layer hyaluronic acid formula might feel like more hydration than you need. Try using just 1-2 drops instead of the recommended 2-3, and see how your skin responds.

When should I apply PDRN serum in my routine?

After cleansing and toning, before your moisturizer. The order is: cleanser → toner → Anua PDRN serum → moisturizer → sunscreen (AM). It goes in the same step as any other water-based serum. You can also layer it 2-3 times at night in place of a sleeping mask.

How long does a bottle last?

The 30ml bottle lasts about 4-5 weeks with consistent twice-daily use (2-3 drops each time). Anua also sells single-use “One Day Serum” packets (1ml each) if you want to try it before committing to the full bottle.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10

The Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum is a really solid hydrating serum that I genuinely enjoyed using. The texture is lovely, it calmed my irritated skin faster than I expected, and the hydration lasts all day. It earned its spot in my routine.

But I want to be real with you — a lot of the appeal here is the PDRN buzz, and the actual PDRN content (100ppm) is pretty low. You’re mostly paying for a well-formulated hyaluronic acid serum with some nice supporting ingredients. And honestly? That’s fine. Not everything needs to be revolutionary. Sometimes a serum just needs to hydrate your skin really well, play nice with your other products, and not irritate you. This one does all three.

If you’re dealing with dehydrated, irritated, or compromised skin and want something lightweight that just works, this is an easy recommendation. If you’re looking for dramatic anti-aging results, keep your expectations in check or look into actual PDRN treatments at a clinic instead.

Ready to try it?

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