MEDICUBE PDRN HYDRATING GEL CLEANSER 200ML

100% Genuine (Adilsons policy) · FA-Safe (Low Risk) — rinse-off contact time (see Section 30B) · Not Fragrance-Free (essential oils present) · Vegan-Friendly: No (Hydrolyzed Collagen) · Low-pH formula (brand-stated, exact value not disclosed).

The "squeaky clean" feeling many people chase after washing their face is actually a sign of a damaged barrier, not a well-cleansed one — this gel-to-foam format is built to avoid that tight, stripped sensation that's especially common in Mauritius's heat.

Pros: gentle amino-acid surfactant base; genuine 5-ceramide barrier-support complex; jelly-to-foam texture that rinses cleanly without residue.

Caveats: contains Rosemary Leaf Oil and Corn Mint Oil (not fragrance-free); contains an undisclosed-concentration LHA that salicylate-avoidant or pregnant users should note; as a rinse-off product, PDRN/collagen "regeneration" marketing should be read as supportive, not transformative.

In Mauritius's heat, the oily, slightly damp feeling on skin by midday is sebum and sweat doing their job, not dirt — washing more than twice a day strips the skin's acid mantle (target pH 4.5-5.5), which triggers compensatory sebum overproduction: the exact oiliness people are trying to wash away.

This cleanser's amino-acid/betaine surfactant system (Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate) is gentler than classic sulfate (SLS/SLES) surfactants, and its brand-stated low pH is designed to leave the acid mantle closer to intact after rinsing, rather than stripping it back to alkaline.

Step 1 — When: Morning and evening, as your final (or only) cleansing step.
Step 2 — How much: 1-2 pumps or a coin-size amount of the gel.
Step 3 — How: Massage onto damp skin for 30-60 seconds as it transforms from gel to a light foam, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Introduce this as the ONLY new product in your routine. Wait a full 14 days before adding anything else. This isolation window ensures you can identify whether any reaction is caused by this specific product.

1. MEDICUBE PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser → 2. Hydrating toner → 3. Serum/treatment → 4. Moisturizer → 5. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++.

In Mauritius's humid mornings, rinsing with lukewarm (not hot) water helps preserve the barrier lipids this cleanser is formulated to protect — hot water accelerates the same stripping effect the low-pH formula is trying to avoid.

1. Oil cleanser/balm (if wearing sunscreen or makeup) → 2. MEDICUBE PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser (second cleanse) → 3. Hydrating toner → 4. Treatment serum → 5. Moisturizer.

If double-cleansing, this gel cleanser is the water-based second step — its job is removing residual oil-cleanser film and sweat, not the makeup/SPF itself.

Technique — 60-Second Rule: massage on damp skin for roughly 60 seconds to give the gentle surfactants adequate contact time to lift oil and debris before the formula turns to foam.

Required skin state: Apply to damp, not dry, skin — this helps the gel-to-foam transformation activate evenly.

Wait time: None — rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water immediately after massaging.

This is an encyclopedia map of all product types. You do not use all of these daily. You select modules based on your skin state.

Global rules: Viscosity ladder runs thinnest to thickest, water-phase before oil-phase, treatments before seals. Wait-time defaults: watery layers 10-20s, serum layers 30-60s, 10-15 minutes before sunscreen if heading outdoors or applying makeup. Amount defaults: watery toner/essence 5-8 drops per layer; serum/ampoule 2-3 drops or 1 pump; eye product ½ rice-grain per eye; gel moisturizer 1-1.5 peas, cream 1-2 peas; occlusive seal rice-grain to pea-size; sunscreen the 2-finger rule for face, +1 finger for neck. Hydrators sit best on slightly damp skin; retinoids on fully dry skin; exfoliating acids on dry-to-lightly-damp skin, kept to one lane. If the routine pills, stings, or feels heavy, reduce layers rather than adding more.

AM Maximum Stack: 1. Rinse/gentle cleanse (this product's slot) → 2. pH-prep toner (optional) → 3. Hydrating toner layers (optional, 1-3) → 4. Essence (optional) → 5. Mist (optional) → 6. Booster/soothing serum (optional) → 7. Antioxidant lane, choose one → 8. Pigment-support lane, choose one → 9. Hydration serum lane (optional) → 10. Oil-control/sebum-regulating lane (optional) → 11. Peptide/growth-factor/repair lane (optional) → 12. Eye serum/cream (optional) → 13. Moisturizer → 14. Optional sealing layer (dry/AC only) → 15. Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++ (non-negotiable) → 16. Lip SPF (optional). In AM, prioritize comfort and SPF adherence over stacking — in high humidity, fewer layers often perform better.

PM Maximum Stack: 1. Micellar pre-cleanse (optional) → 2. Oil cleanser/balm (if SPF/makeup worn) → 3. Water cleanser (this product's slot) → 4. pH-prep toner (optional) → 5. Hydrating toner layers (optional) → 6. Essence (optional) → 7. Soothing/barrier serum (optional) → 8. Anchor active product (retinoid, acid, or other treatment) → 9. Targeted serum (optional, non-conflicting only) → 10. Moisturizer → 11. Sleeping mask (optional) → 12. Occlusive seal (optional) → 13. Spot treatment/patch (as needed) → 14. Lip sleeping mask (optional). Do not layer retinoids with AHA/BHA in the same night; keep one lane per night.

Lane strictness: Run only one of Retinoid, Exfoliation, Strong Vitamin C (LAA), or Acne-control active per leave-on routine; a cleanser's brief LHA content does not count toward this lane since it rinses off in under a minute. If unsure, default to the safest lane — barrier and hydration — and reduce layers.

Tier: Rinse-off gel that foams on contact with water — this is always the very first step in a routine, never layered with leave-on products.

Rheological note: This product appears as a dense jelly in the bottle but transforms into a light lather with water and massage. Do not judge the amount needed by how thick it looks in the pump — a small amount foams significantly once activated.

Before starting this product, no special prerequisites are needed — it is a foundational, low-risk cleansing step suitable as a first product in a new routine.

Barrier-friendly cleansing: the amino-acid/betaine surfactant blend and brand-stated low pH are formulated to remove sebum/sweat/light makeup residue without disrupting the skin's acid mantle. Mild texture refinement: Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA) is a gentler, larger-molecule BHA derivative than salicylic acid itself, marketed for surface exfoliation with less irritation.

Secondary benefit: the 5-ceramide complex (NP, ES, NS, EOP, AP) and Panthenol are included to offset the moisture loss that even gentle cleansing causes.

What this product cannot do: as a rinse-off formula, it cannot deliver the same PDRN/collagen "regeneration" benefit as a leave-on serum with much longer skin contact time; it cannot resolve active acne or deep congestion on its own.

Primary pick: MEDICUBE PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner 150ml — same PDRN family, applied immediately after this cleanser to re-hydrate before serum steps.

Alternatives: MEDICUBE PDRN Booster Gel 300ml (deeper PDRN hydration layer post-cleanse); MEDICUBE PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream 55g (same-family moisturizer to seal in hydration); MEDICUBE Collagen Firming Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++ 50ml (daily SPF to complete the AM routine).

All four were verified in Adilsons' live catalog as status:active with current inventory at the time of writing; stock changes constantly, so treat this as a starting shortlist rather than a guarantee.

Aspirin/salicylate sensitivity: this cleanser contains Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA), a salicylic-acid derivative. Individuals with a diagnosed aspirin or salicylate sensitivity should patch test or consult a doctor before regular use, even though rinse-off contact time limits systemic absorption risk.

Prescription retinoid/exfoliant users: because contact time is under a minute, this cleanser is very unlikely to meaningfully compound with a prescription tretinoin or adapalene routine, but reduce frequency to once daily if your skin is already irritated from a prescription active.

MYTH: "A cleanser with PDRN and collagen will regenerate my skin the way a leave-on serum does." REALITY: Rinse-off products have only seconds of skin contact — these ingredients here are a formulation halo, not a substitute for a leave-on PDRN serum or ampoule.

MYTH: "If my face doesn't feel squeaky-clean, it isn't properly washed." REALITY: A squeaky-clean feeling usually means the acid mantle has been stripped to alkaline — a gentle, low-pH cleanser like this one is designed to leave skin comfortable, not tight.

Mauritius tap water hardness varies by region; hard water can leave a calcium-stearate film after any cleanser, including this one, that reads as tightness. Follow with a hydrating toner to help counteract that residue.

*Most robust PDRN clinical evidence comes from injectable/aesthetic-procedure dermatology rather than rinse-off topical cosmetics — treat the regenerative marketing claims here as an emerging, brand-forward evidence tier rather than clinically established for this format.

Full INCI list (source: retailer/ingredient-aggregator listings cross-checked across multiple retailers; not independently fetched from a lab certificate):

Water, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Solveth-30 Tetraoleate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer, Citric Acid, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Dipropylene Glycol, C12-13 Alkyl-9, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Hydrolyzed Collagen, Panthenol, Sodium DNA (PDRN), Niacinamide, Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA), Tocopherol, Corn Mint Oil, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, [--- Estimated 1% Line ---] Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ceramide NP, Baobab Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ceramide ES, Ceramide NS, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Hyaluronate.

As a rinse-off cleanser, ingredients below the estimated 1% line — including the ceramide complex — contribute a supportive, brief-contact benefit rather than a leave-on-level clinical effect.

Preservative system: 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin and Hydroxyacetophenone form a paraben-free multifunctional preservative system.

Fragrance status: Essential Oils Only — no synthetic Fragrance/Parfum is declared, but Rosemary Leaf Oil and Corn Mint Oil are both present and can carry their own allergen/irritant profile.

Scent: Not independently verified by Adilsons; expect a mild herbal/minty note from the rosemary and corn mint oils.

EU 26 allergen screen: None of the 26 named EU allergens were identified by name in the declared INCI, though essential oils can contain trace naturally-occurring allergens not separately listed.

Alcohol disclosure: Alcohol-Free — no drying alcohol (Alcohol Denat.) is declared in this formula.

Halal: *Self-assessed by Adilsons based on available INCI data, with one open question: PDRN (Sodium DNA) in this line is typically salmon-derived and Hydrolyzed Collagen's source species is not disclosed for this SKU. No ethanol from fermentation was detected in the declared list. This is NOT a formal Halal certification. Muslims with stricter requirements should consult the brand directly or their own scholars regarding the fish/animal-derived actives.

Vegan: No. Hydrolyzed Collagen and PDRN (Sodium DNA, typically salmon-derived) are both animal-derived ingredients.

Cruelty-free: *Brand-stated policy is not independently certified by Leaping Bunny, PETA, or an equivalent third-party audit. Medicube sells products in Mainland China through a separate China-market line, where post-market animal testing may be legally required; cross-border e-commerce sales may be exempt.

MFDS classification: Not confirmed as a Korean Functional Cosmetic; treat as a General Cosmetic pending brand disclosure.

Clinical evidence: The "99% purity PDRN" claim refers, per brand marketing language, to the purity grade of the PDRN raw material sourced, not an independently verified in-vivo efficacy study on the finished cleanser. No independent clinical trial data for this specific SKU was found in this research pass.

*Brand claims here are Marketing-Only evidence tier — treat the PDRN/collagen benefits as a formulation story rather than an independently verified clinical outcome for this rinse-off product.

Fungal Acne Safety: FA-Safe (Low Risk). The surfactant base (Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate) is generally well-tolerated by community FA trackers; Solveth-30 Tetraoleate is an oleth-type ester some trackers flag as conditional, but the sub-60-second rinse-off contact time meaningfully lowers real-world risk compared to a leave-on product with the same ingredient.

Assessment: None — as a rinse-off cleanser, this product is never layered with other products and cannot pill.

Fresh product should be a clear-to-translucent gel. A cloudy, separated, or off-smelling gel past its expected shelf life should be discarded.

Storage: A shower caddy or bathroom shelf is fine for a rinse-off product, though extreme heat over time can still degrade the surfactant and preservative system faster than a cool, dry cabinet.

Spoilage signs: a sour or rancid smell, visible separation, or a colour shift. When in doubt, discard.

Patch test on the inner forearm for 24 hours before full facial use, particularly if you have a known salicylate or essential-oil sensitivity.

If an adverse reaction occurs: STOP ALL ACTIVES. For 72 hours, use ONLY a gentle, ingredient-minimal cleanser, plain moisturizer, and mineral SPF — no acids, retinoids, Vitamin C, exfoliants, or essential oils. After 72 hours, reintroduce one product per 14 days.

Emergency stop signals: hives, swelling, blistering, persistent burning, or breathing difficulty — seek emergency care immediately.

Pregnancy note: this cleanser contains Capryloyl Salicylic Acid (LHA) at an undisclosed, likely low, rinse-off concentration. It does not meet this skill's flagged pregnancy-unsafe threshold (salicylic acid above 2% in a leave-on context), but pregnant or nursing individuals choosing to avoid all salicylates as a precaution should discuss this with their doctor before use.

1. Washing more than twice daily hoping to control oiliness, which worsens it via barrier stripping. 2. Using hot water, which increases the stripping effect this low-pH formula is designed to avoid. 3. Skipping a moisturizer afterward because "it's a hydrating cleanser," when rinse-off hydration alone is not enough to prevent transepidermal water loss. 4. Expecting leave-on-level PDRN/collagen results from a product with under a minute of skin contact. 5. Applying to fully dry skin, which reduces even foam distribution.

At roughly 1-2 pumps per wash, twice daily, a 200ml bottle provides approximately 60-100 uses, or roughly one to two months of twice-daily use depending on pump size and hand size. Using significantly more per wash does not improve the clean, since surfactant contact time — not volume — is the limiting factor.

Consider reordering roughly 2 weeks before you expect the bottle to run out, to allow for delivery time.

This cleanser's biological job is gentle, barrier-respecting removal of sebum, sweat and light residue, sitting as the very first step of both AM and PM routines.

AM: PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser (1-2 pumps, 60s massage, rinse) → Toner → Serum (optional) → Moisturizer → Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++.
PM: Oil cleanser (if makeup/SPF worn) → PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser (1-2 pumps, 60s massage, rinse) → Toner → Treatment serum → Moisturizer.

If your skin feels tight after cleansing right now: shorten the massage time to 20-30 seconds and follow immediately with a hydrating toner while skin is still damp. If you wear heavy sunscreen or makeup: always double-cleanse with an oil-based first step before this gel cleanser. If you have a known salicylate sensitivity: consult a doctor before regular use given the LHA content.

Suggested pairing set: this cleanser + PDRN Pink Niacinamide Milky Toner 150ml + PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream 55g, all verified active and in stock at the time of writing.

After purchasing, you will receive our skincare education email series covering this product in depth.

The recommendations above are based on formulation synergy with the PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser, not on margin or stock levels. If a pairing does not exist in our catalog, we say so. If you already own a product that fills the same role, use what you have first.

If you want a similarly gentle low-pH cleanser without the LHA/salicylate content, MEDICUBE Zero Foam Cleanser 120g is verified active and in stock as a foam-format alternative within the same brand.

Choose the PDRN Hydrating Gel Cleanser over the Zero Foam Cleanser if you specifically want the PDRN/collagen/ceramide-forward formulation story and a mild built-in exfoliating LHA step in your cleanse; choose the alternative if you prefer to avoid all salicylate-family ingredients entirely.

If you match this: you want mild daily exfoliation built into your cleanse and have no salicylate sensitivity — this cleanser is worth choosing. If not, the fragrance-simpler alternative may suit you better. Consistency beats complexity.

This product's primary function is gentle daily cleansing. You do not need this if you already own an unopened or lightly-used gentle, low-pH cleanser — finish that first.

Check whether you already have an open bottle serving the same first-cleanse role before buying a duplicate.

Stacking assessment: No Benefit if you already use another low-pH gentle cleanser daily (same mechanism); Significant Benefit if your current cleanser is a high-pH bar soap or a stripping foaming cleanser.

This product is sourced through authorized Korean distributors — primarily Craver Co., Ltd (South Korea), alongside other verified distribution partners. Craver is a major Korean beauty distributor and the parent company of SKIN1004, handling authorized distribution for multiple K-beauty brands. All products are shipped directly to Mauritius via verified channels.

For comprehensive information about how we verify authenticity, our layered verification system, and how to check your product at home, visit our dedicated Authenticity and Trust page.

Quick verification tips: genuine units carry an inner-box QR code that resolves to Medicube's own verification site; look for a legible embossed batch code on the packaging — an absent or smeared code is a red flag.

Parent Company: APR Corporation (KRX: 278470), a Seoul-founded (2014) beauty company that took MEDICUBE public via its own listing in 2024. Hero ingredient: PDRN (salmon-derived Polydeoxyribonucleotide), and this product sits directly in the brand's flagship PDRN Pink Collagen line.

MEDICUBE frames PDRN as its signature story across masks, creams, serums and — as here — cleansers, adapting an ingredient with real but mostly injectable/aesthetic-procedure clinical history into topical, including rinse-off, formats. Whether MEDICUBE's cosmetic formulas are manufactured in-house or via third-party Korean contract manufacturers has not been independently confirmed.

Direct access to Reddit and Amazon review pages was not available in this research pass (network access to those specific pages was blocked), so we could not independently pull and paraphrase individually sourced review text. Retailer and ingredient-database coverage (Amazon listing copy, StyleKorean, Shop Miss A, Skinsort) consistently describes the product as a gentle, hydrating daily cleanser suited to dry/dehydrated skin, with the gel-to-foam texture frequently highlighted.

We did not find a specific, verifiable complaint theme repeated across multiple independent sources for this exact SKU at the time of writing.

Community reviews specifically citing this exact SKU on Reddit (r/AsianBeauty, r/SkincareAddiction) were not found as a dedicated, verifiable thread — treat the themes above as drawn from retail/aggregator coverage rather than a confirmed Reddit consensus.

Can I use this every day, morning and night? Yes — it is formulated as a gentle, low-pH daily cleanser suitable for twice-daily use for most skin types.

Will the LHA content over-exfoliate my skin? Unlikely at typical use — LHA is a gentler, larger-molecule BHA derivative than salicylic acid, and the rinse-off contact time further limits its exfoliating intensity compared to a leave-on BHA product.

Is this safe if I'm pregnant? It contains a low-concentration, rinse-off salicylate derivative; it does not meet the commonly-flagged pregnancy-unsafe threshold, but discuss it with your doctor if you're avoiding all salicylates as a precaution.

Does it remove sunscreen and makeup on its own? Not reliably for heavier, water-resistant formulas — double-cleanse with an oil-based cleanser first for those.

Is it fragrance-free? No — it contains Rosemary Leaf Oil and Corn Mint Oil, though no synthetic Fragrance/Parfum is declared.

PDRN

Polydeoxyribonucleotide, a salmon-derived ingredient marketed for skin repair/regeneration signalling.

LHA

Lipohydroxy acid, a larger-molecule derivative of salicylic acid used for gentler surface exfoliation.

Amino-acid surfactant

A gentler class of cleansing agent, often derived from coconut, that cleanses without the harsh stripping of sulfates.

Acid mantle

The skin's naturally slightly acidic (pH 4.5-5.5) surface layer that helps protect against irritation and infection.

Ceramide

A lipid naturally found in skin's outer layer that helps it retain moisture and stay resilient.

Gel-to-foam

A cleanser texture that starts as a thick gel and turns into a light lather when massaged with water.

Every product sold by Adilsons Beauty is 100% genuine, sourced through authorized Korean distribution channels. Full details on our verification system: Authenticity and Trust.

Our team is available to help you build a routine, troubleshoot reactions, and answer ingredient questions. WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

For in-depth skincare education, visit our blog at adilsons.mu/blogs/k-beauty or subscribe to our email to get our guided education series delivered to your inbox.

Coverage: Island-wide delivery (Mauritius).

Processing and Timing: Orders process in 1-2 business days; usually ready by Day 3 for pickup by our delivery partners/regional team. Partner collection can take up to 1 week. After pickup, delivery typically takes 1-5 business days (weekdays only).

Express: May be available by region; request on WhatsApp: +230 5 778 2336.

Liquids/Sensitive Items: Serums, toners, liquid makeup (and kits containing liquids) are pickup or door-to-door only; checkout enforces this.

Scheduling: Deliveries run by region on set schedules; we will contact you the evening before.

Pickup: Citadelle Mall pickup available.

Returns: No change-of-mind exchanges.

Refunds (Summary): For defective/damaged on receipt (report within 48h), wrong item, or manufacturing defect within 6 months. Refunds via bank transfer (7-10 business days); card refunds may incur a 5% processor fee (fee not charged for defects/order errors). Opened skincare/personal-care items are non-returnable (except if damaged on delivery).

Source of Truth: This is a quick snapshot. If anything differs, the policy pages are final.

Store Policies: For the most up-to-date information, please review our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy.

Best for: anyone with dry or dehydrated skin (or anyone tired of a stripped, tight post-cleanse feeling) who wants a gentle daily wash with a mild built-in exfoliating step.

Key benefits: genuinely gentle amino-acid surfactant base, real multi-ceramide barrier support, low-pH formulation, mild LHA texture refinement.

Keep in mind: not fragrance-free, not vegan, contains an undisclosed-concentration salicylate derivative worth noting if pregnant or salicylate-sensitive, and its PDRN/collagen marketing should be read as a rinse-off supportive halo rather than a leave-on-level treatment.