Medicube - PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser [200ml]

Medicube PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser is a 200ml jelly-to-foam face wash with mild surfactants, five ceramides and a low level of LHA for gentle exfoliation. It is built to clean thoroughly without stripping — which makes it one of the more sensible cleansers in the range for skin that feels tight after washing.

Medicube PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser at a glance

An honest note on the "99% PDRN" name

You will see this cleanser sold elsewhere as "99% PDRN". It is worth understanding what that figure does and does not mean before you buy on the strength of it.

The published ingredient list declares sodium DNA — the PDRN-type ingredient — at 10 ppm, which is 0.001%. The 99% is not a PDRN concentration. It refers to other aspects of the formulation, not to how much PDRN is in the bottle.

Here is the thing, though: that is not really a problem for a cleanser. A face wash is on your skin for perhaps thirty seconds and then goes down the drain. No active ingredient — PDRN, niacinamide, vitamin C or anything else — achieves much in that window. If you want PDRN to do something, you want it in a serum that stays on your face.

So buy this cleanser for what it genuinely is: a well-formulated, gentle, barrier-friendly face wash. That is a real and useful thing to be. Just do not buy it expecting the PDRN to be the reason it works.

What actually makes it a good cleanser

The surfactants are mild

The cleansing agents here are disodium cocoamphodiacetate, cocamidopropyl betaine and potassium cocoyl glycinate — amphoteric and amino-acid-derived types. There is no SLS or other harsh sulphate. This is the single biggest factor in whether a cleanser leaves your skin comfortable or tight, and it is the main reason this one is worth its price.

Five ceramides in a rinse-off product

Ceramides NP, AS, NS, EOP and AP all appear, alongside hydrogenated lecithin and cholesterol-adjacent lipids. Including a full ceramide set in something you wash off is unusual — most brands save them for creams.

They do not deposit heavily in thirty seconds, but they do help offset the lipid loss that any cleansing causes. It is a small benefit, honestly stated, rather than a headline one.

LHA for gentle exfoliation

Capryloyl salicylic acid — usually called LHA — is a relative of salicylic acid with a larger molecule. It penetrates more slowly and works closer to the surface, which generally makes it gentler than BHA while still helping with clogged pores and rough texture.

At the level used in a rinse-off cleanser, treat this as a mild resurfacing benefit over weeks, not an exfoliating treatment. It is gentle enough that it does not count as an exfoliation step — you can still use your acid toner or pads afterwards.

A note on the scent

There is no listed "fragrance", but the formula contains rosemary leaf oil and mint leaf oil, which give it a fresh scent and a slight cooling sensation. Essential oils are still fragrance as far as reactive skin is concerned, so patch test if you are sensitive.

How to use it

1. Wet your face with lukewarm water — hot water strips the barrier more than any cleanser does.
2. Take a small amount and lather it in your hands until it foams.
3. Massage for twenty to thirty seconds, concentrating on the nose, chin and hairline.
4. Rinse thoroughly and apply your toner while skin is still slightly damp.

Frequency: twice daily. If you wear sunscreen or makeup, use an oil cleanser first in the evening and follow with this — the Zero Pore Blackhead Deep Cleansing Oil is the natural first step.

Which Medicube cleanser is right for you?

If your skin feels tight after washing, this is the one to switch to. If you are oily and congested, the SA Clear foam does more. Browse the complete Medicube range at EmartGCC.

Frequently asked questions

Does it really contain 99% PDRN?

No. The published ingredient list declares sodium DNA — the PDRN-type ingredient — at 10 ppm, or 0.001%. The 99% figure refers to other aspects of the formulation. This matters less than it sounds for a cleanser, since anything you rinse off after thirty seconds has limited opportunity to act regardless of concentration.

Does it exfoliate?

Mildly. It contains capryloyl salicylic acid (LHA), a gentler relative of salicylic acid that works close to the skin surface. In a rinse-off product this gives a gradual smoothing benefit over weeks rather than active exfoliation, so it does not replace an acid toner or pad.

Can I still use my acid toner or exfoliating pads after it?

Yes. The LHA level here is low enough that it does not count as your exfoliation step, so you can follow with acid pads or toner as normal without over-exfoliating.

Is it suitable for dry or sensitive skin?

Generally yes — the surfactants are mild, there is no SLS, and the ceramides and panthenol help. The one caveat is the rosemary and mint leaf oils, which give it its scent and cooling feel. Patch test if you react to essential oils.

Will it remove makeup and sunscreen?

Not fully on its own. Use an oil cleanser or balm first in the evening, then this as your second cleanse. In the morning this alone is enough.

Why does it tingle slightly?

That is the mint leaf oil rather than the acid. It should be a mild cooling sensation. Genuine stinging or burning is not normal and means the product does not suit your skin.

How long will a 200ml bottle last?

Used twice daily at a normal amount, most people get roughly three to four months from it. It is one of the better-value sizes in the range.

Can I use it with retinol or strong actives?

Yes. A gentle, barrier-supporting cleanser is exactly what you want alongside retinoids and exfoliating acids, since those already put the barrier under strain.

Should I use warm or cold water?

Lukewarm. Hot water strips the skin barrier more than most cleansers do, and cold water does not lather the product properly.

Buying Medicube in Kuwait

EmartGCC supplies 100% original Medicube with delivery across Kuwait, usually next day, cash on delivery available and a 14-day return window on unopened items. Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight — the plant oils and vitamin E in it are the parts most affected by heat.