PDRN 100 Hyaluronic Acid Glow Pad

The K-beauty toner pad has a simple job description: soak a round cotton pad in toner, let the user swipe it across their face, call it a day. It is efficient, hygienic, and travel-friendly. But Anua looked at this established format and decided efficiency was not enough — they wanted each pad to feel like a condensed facial treatment.

The result is a pad with two distinct sides that serve genuinely different purposes. The smooth cotton side works as you would expect from any toner pad: a gentle swipe that picks up residual impurities and delivers the first layer of the essence. Flip it over, though, and the gel side changes the experience entirely. It feels like pressing a thin, cool, serum-soaked compress against your skin — not quite a sheet mask, but something more intentional than a swipe-and-go toner step. This is where the interesting ingredients do their work.

And the ingredient list here is genuinely stacked for a toner pad. Niacinamide sits at fourth position, high enough to suggest a meaningful concentration. Three forms of hyaluronic acid — full molecular weight, hydrolyzed, and sodium hyaluronate — provide that layered hydration approach that has become Anua's signature across the PDRN line. But it is the peptide payload that elevates this beyond typical toner pad territory. Hexapeptide-11, oligopeptide-1, oligopeptide-2, and oligopeptide-3 create a four-peptide communication network targeting collagen stimulation, cellular renewal, and firming. For a product you swipe on in thirty seconds, that is a remarkably ambitious ingredient lineup.

The PDRN — Sodium DNA derived from salmon — makes its appearance mid-list, accompanied by lecithin which likely serves as a penetration enhancer. There is an interesting synergy here with the adenosine that sits earlier in the formula: since PDRN works partly through adenosine A2A receptor activation, having free adenosine present creates a kind of double-tap on the same signaling pathway. Whether the concentrations in a toner pad are sufficient to produce meaningful clinical effects is debatable, but the formulation logic is sound.

The texture experience is satisfying in a way that feels distinctly Korean in its attention to sensory detail. The smooth side glides without dragging, picking up just enough to feel productive. The gel side deposits a visible layer of essence that absorbs within about thirty seconds, leaving behind a dewy sheen that photographers would recognize as the glass skin look. It is not greasy, it is not sticky, and it layers well under everything from vitamin C serum to sunscreen.

Hydrolyzed collagen appears twice in the formula — both as hydrolyzed collagen and collagen extract — along with the Bacillus/Soybean Ferment Extract that adds a probiotic dimension to the formula. Turmeric root extract, coptis japonica, and the Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum, one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C) round out a botanical lineup that leans antioxidant without introducing sensitizing essential oils.

The honest limitations center on economics and format constraints. At $23 for 60 pads, you are paying roughly 38 cents per pad. If you use one pad morning and evening, that is 76 cents a day and the jar lasts exactly one month. Compare that to the Booster Toner from the same line at $21 for 250ml, which lasts two to three months, and the cost-per-use math favors the liquid toner significantly. You are paying a convenience premium for the pad format and the dual-sided design.

The pads themselves, while nicely sized at 7cm, require two pads per session if you want full face and neck coverage. One pad covers about two-thirds of the face comfortably. This is standard for K-beauty toner pads but worth noting for anyone who assumes one pad means one complete application.

For oily skin types, the gel side may deposit more moisture than desired, particularly in humid conditions. The formula is clearly calibrated for dry-to-normal skin seeking maximum hydration, with the niacinamide providing just enough oil-control crossover for combination types.

The format does have genuine advantages beyond convenience. The physical wiping action of the smooth side provides very mild exfoliation that accumulates over daily use, helping to smooth texture without any chemical exfoliating acids. The gel side's sustained contact ensures better ingredient delivery than a quickly-absorbed liquid toner. And for skincare minimalists or travelers, a single jar replaces both toner and a stack of sheet masks.

Anua has created something that occupies a genuinely useful niche: more than a toner pad, less than a sheet mask, and loaded with ingredients that justify taking the format seriously. Whether the convenience premium is worth it depends on how you value your time versus your per-use costs. For the person who wants PDRN, peptides, and glass skin in under a minute, this is one of the most efficient delivery systems available.

Formula

The Science

This pad formula builds on the same PDRN science as the Booster Toner but adds a meaningful twist with its peptide complex. Hexapeptide-11, derived from yeast fermentation, has been shown to stimulate type I collagen synthesis in human dermal fibroblasts. The three oligopeptides — EGF (oligopeptide-1), IGF-1 (oligopeptide-2), and FGF (oligopeptide-3) — are growth factor mimetic peptides that signal keratinocytes and fibroblasts to accelerate turnover and repair.

The adenosine inclusion is particularly clever alongside PDRN. A 2017 review in the Journal of Cellular Physiology established that PDRN's primary mechanism involves engagement of adenosine A2A receptors, triggering downstream VEGF expression and anti-inflammatory signaling. By including free adenosine alongside the DNA fragments, this formula provides both the receptor ligand (adenosine) and the nucleotide building blocks (PDRN) for cellular repair — a complementary dual approach.

Niacinamide's evidence base is extensive: a landmark 2005 study in the British Journal of Dermatology demonstrated that 5% topical niacinamide significantly reduced hyperpigmentation, improved skin elasticity, and reduced fine wrinkles. While the exact concentration here is undisclosed, its fourth-position placement suggests a meaningful amount.

The pad format itself may offer a delivery advantage. The physical contact time between a gel-soaked pad and skin — even for 30-60 seconds — creates a brief occlusive environment that can enhance penetration of water-soluble actives like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. This quasi-occlusive delivery sits between a quickly-absorbed toner and a full sheet mask in terms of ingredient delivery efficiency.

References

1. Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) From Skin to Musculoskeletal Tissue Regeneration via Adenosine A2A Receptor Involvement — Journal of Cellular Physiology (2017)
2. Niacinamide: A B vitamin that improves aging facial skin appearance — British Journal of Dermatology (2005)

Dermatologist Perspective

Dermatologists recognize toner pads as a practical delivery format that encourages compliance through convenience. Board-certified dermatologists note that the niacinamide and multi-weight hyaluronic acid combination here represents a well-established hydrating and brightening strategy, while the peptide complex adds a layer of anti-aging support that elevates this beyond a basic toner. Dermatologists frequently recommend pads like these for patients who struggle with multi-step routines, as they consolidate toning, hydrating, and treating into a single step. The fragrance-free formulation makes this suitable for post-procedure care and sensitive skin regimens.

Guidance

Toner pads are a K-beauty staple, but Anua saw an opportunity to elevate the format by loading their PDRN technology into a pad that could double as a quick treatment mask. The result bridges the gap between a daily toner step and a weekly sheet mask, designed for people who want glass skin results without the twenty-minute mask commitment.

About Anua Established Brand (5–20 years)

Anua was founded in 2019 and has grown rapidly as a K-beauty brand, entering all 1,500 Ulta Beauty stores and exceeding $500 million in retail sales by 2025. Known for its viral Heartleaf Cleansing Oil, the brand has earned Korea's Olive Young Awards and Japan's @cosme Best Cosmetics recognition.

Brand founded: 2019 · Product launched: 2024

Myth vs. Reality

Myth

Toner pads are wasteful because most of the product stays in the pad instead of on your skin.

Reality

The gel side of these pads is specifically designed to transfer its essence on contact. While some product does remain in the pad, the dual-sided design maximizes delivery — the smooth side preps the skin and the gel side deposits a concentrated layer of actives.

Myth

You need to leave toner pads on your face like a sheet mask to get benefits.

Reality

The swiping action of the smooth side and pressing action of the gel side deliver actives effectively in under a minute. Extended wear is optional — leaving the pads on cheeks for a few minutes can enhance hydration, but it is not required for the formula to work.

FAQ

Common Praise

"Convenient dual-sided design"

"Instant glow and hydration"

"Great for travel and on-the-go skincare"

"No sticky residue after use"

Common Complaints

"60 pads used up quickly with twice-daily use"

"Gel side can feel too wet for oily skin"

"Wish pads were larger for full face coverage"

Notable Endorsements

Ulta Beauty bestseller in K-beauty padsOlive Young Awards recognition for PDRN line

Appears In

best toner pad for dry skin best k beauty toner pad best hydrating toner pad best pdrn skincare best toner for dull skin

Related Conditions

dryness dehydration dullness aging texture

Related Ingredients

hyaluronic acid niacinamide peptides adenosine