Some Korean skincare brands build their reputation slowly. Medicube did not.
If you've scrolled through skincare content at any point in the last couple of years, you've met this brand, probably via a tub of toner pads, or a pink jar with a name involving letters you had to look up. It has become one of the most talked-about names in K-beauty, and one of the most confusing to navigate, because the range is genuinely enormous.
This guide is here to fix the second problem. Here's who Medicube is, how the ranges are organised, and how to work out which one you actually want.
Who is Medicube?
Medicube was founded in Seoul in 2016 by APR Corporation, and sits in a category Korean beauty calls "derma-cosmetic", formulas positioned around specific skin concerns rather than around textures, scents or lifestyle branding.
The growth has been remarkable. APR is now one of Korea's largest beauty companies by market capitalisation, with the vast majority of its revenue coming from outside Korea. In 2025 it reported record results driven largely by Medicube's international expansion, with the Zero Pore Pad named as one of the hero products behind it.
The brand also produces at-home beauty devices under the AGE-R name, which is unusual, most skincare brands stop at skincare. It's worth knowing about as context for how the brand thinks, even though the devices sit outside the skincare range covered here.
The ranges, explained
This is the part that trips people up. Medicube isn't a one-hero-product brand, it runs several distinct lines, and picking the right line matters more than picking the right individual product.
- Zero Pore — The range that made the brand's name, built around exfoliating acids and focused on the look and feel of pores and skin texture. Includes the well-known toner pads and a cleansing foam.
- PDRN Pink — The brand's most-discussed recent line, formulated around PDRN, an ingredient derived from salmon. It spans a full routine: cleanser, serum, cream and masks. Textures here are generally more comforting than the Zero range.
- Collagen — Built around hydrolysed collagen, with a focus on rich, cushioning textures. The Triple Collagen Cream is the anchor.
- Deep Vita C — A vitamin C capsule cream, for people who want that ingredient in a moisturiser format rather than a serum.
- Kojic Acid Turmeric — A body care line, which is worth knowing about because most K-beauty brands neglect body care entirely.
Where to start
Zero Pore Pad
$44.99, on sale $36.75 (70 pads)
The product that built the brand. Exfoliating toner pads used after cleansing, swiped across the face with attention to the T-zone.
Practical notes: these are an exfoliating step, so start at two or three times a week rather than daily and let your skin tell you whether to increase. They replace other chemical exfoliants in your routine rather than joining them, and on the days you use them, keep everything else simple.
PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream
$49.99, on sale $37.75 (55 g)
The most popular entry point into the PDRN line, and a good one, a moisturiser is lower-risk than a serum if you're testing a new brand, and it slots into an existing routine without displacing anything.
PDRN Pink Niacinamide Whip Cleanser
$40.00, on sale $29.75 (120 g)
A gentle way to try the line at a lower price point. Cleanser is the step where a new brand can do the least damage if it doesn't suit you.
Triple Collagen Cream 4.0
$54.99, on sale $39.25 (50 ml)
Richer and more cushioning than the PDRN cream. If your skin tends to feel tight or you're heading into a Melbourne winter with the heating on, this is the one to look at.
PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask
$9.99, on sale $8.00 (4 pack)
The cheapest way into the range by a wide margin. If you're curious about PDRN and not ready to commit, start here.
Kojic Acid Turmeric Vita Brightening Body Wash
$39.00, on sale $31.30 (400 ml)
Body care from a brand people know for face care. Genuinely under-appreciated, and an easy add to an order.
Which range is right for you?
If your focus is texture and the look of pores, start with Zero Pore. Be realistic about frequency; exfoliation rewards consistency, not intensity.
If your skin feels dry, tight or generally unhappy, the PDRN Pink or Collagen ranges will suit you better. These are comfort-first formulas.
If you're new to K-beauty entirely, start with a cleanser or a moisturiser rather than an active. Medicube's range is deep enough that it's easy to over-buy on the first order and end up with five products that don't work together.
If your skin is easily irritated, introduce one product at a time, leave a couple of weeks between additions, and patch test. This applies to any brand, but it applies double to a range with this many actives in it.
Building a simple Medicube routine
You don't need the whole range. A workable routine looks like:
- Cleanse — PDRN Pink Whip Cleanser, or the Zero Pore cleansing foam if your skin runs oilier
- Exfoliate — Zero Pore Pads, two to three times a week, not daily
- Moisturise — PDRN Pink Capsule Cream or Triple Collagen Cream, depending on how rich you like it
- Protect — sunscreen every morning
That's four steps and covers most people. Add the sheet masks when you want a treat rather than because a routine requires them.
And on sunscreen: if you're using exfoliating acids, daily SPF stops being optional. In Australia it wasn't optional to begin with.
Frequently asked questions
Is Medicube available in Australia?
Yes. We stock Medicube at Beauty Luminella with fast Australia-wide shipping, and every product is sourced directly from official Korean distributors.
What is PDRN?
PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide, an ingredient derived from salmon. It has become one of the most talked-about ingredients in Korean skincare and appears across Medicube's Pink range.
How often should I use the Zero Pore Pads?
Two to three times a week is a sensible starting point. Daily use suits some people and not others, build up gradually rather than starting there.
Can I use Medicube alongside other brands?
Yes, and most people do. The main thing to watch is doubling up on exfoliating products from different brands without realising it.
Is Medicube suitable for sensitive skin?
Some products will suit sensitive skin better than others, the comfort-focused ranges are a gentler starting point than the exfoliating ones. Patch test anything new, and if you have a diagnosed skin condition, speak to your GP or a dermatologist before adding exfoliating products to your routine.
How do I know I'm buying authentic Medicube?
Buy from an authorised retailer. Medicube's popularity has made it a target for counterfeits and grey-market stock, and heavily discounted product from unfamiliar sellers is often near expiry or has been stored poorly.