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VT PDRN Essence 100.

VT PDRN Essence 100
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Mists & Essences
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About this product

A vegan PDRN essence-serum hybrid with plant-derived PDRN from Korean ginseng, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and spicule technology designed to support skin barrier, hydration, and collagen production.

Full ingredients

Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Caprylic/​Capric Triglyceride, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Polyglyceryl-2 Dipolyhydroxystearate, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Polyglyceryl-3 Diisostearate, 1,2-Hexanediol, Tocopherol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Acrylates/​C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Adenosine, Ceramide NP, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Disodium EDTA, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Allantoin, Squalane, Panthenol, Polyglucuronic Acid, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AS, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide AP, Sodium Dna

More from VT 30 products · Guru Score 84% →

Guru Score

79%

Yay

11 experts · Moderate agreement
!
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Heads up: 6 of the 11 experts here were paid by the brand, leaving 5 unpaid. We have kept this score cautious as a result.

What the gurus are saying

This creamy, rich serum hydrates instantly and delivers visible plumping, with long-term anti-aging results thanks to the vegan PDRN and spicule technology that helps the ingredient penetrate deeper than standard PDRN treatments. Gurus praise the ginseng for its antioxidant and collagen-boosting effects, though one dermatologist notes the PDRN claims rely on preliminary lab research rather than human trials. Pat it gently into skin rather than rubbing to avoid irritation from the spicules, and it works especially well for dry, mature skin and those using the brand's Reedle Shot.
Synthesized from 11 expert reviews · most recent take October 2026

What they liked

  • Rich, milky texture absorbs without greasiness
  • Plumping finish with a water glow effect
  • Pump packaging is compact and controlled

What they flagged

  • Too heavy for oily skin or summer use
  • Packaging reported to leak

Type

Mists & EssencesLiquid

Key actives

NiacinamideVitamin ECeramidesSqualane

Formula notes

Fragrance-freeNo drying alcohol

Where to buy

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored
✓Yay
"I love this PDRN essence. Different from the Medicube or other PDRN, this is a plant-based PDRN, so definitely, if you're looking for that, it's a great choice."
All 5 takes from CYoung
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"I love a lot of the products from VT PDRN because they make it plant based, so if you care about that you can try it out. Their serum is highly recommended for dry mature skin. One thing I really like is that it's a pumping type, I like that it's small."
Viral K-Beauty vs What Koreans Actually Use: Which is better? And Why?
"Of the PDRN serums, VT is the most heavy, it feels more like a little lotion, in between a serum and a lotion, pretty thick. I love using it before makeup and I use it more for dry, mature skin. This season, in winter, I like the VT one the most. This one is also plant derived rather than from salmon, [...] so if you're looking for something more vegan, this is it."
What You Should Know Before You Buy Viral Korean Skincare Products!
"Even for my skin it can be too heavy, so I don't think I'll reach for it that often in summer. It's plant based, so if you don't want to try the salmon extract you can try this instead. It claims to have 100,000 PPM of PDRN, but it's listed last on the ingredient list, which means it's going to be a really small amount. I called them and asked and they couldn't tell me the exact number, so I don't think it's going to be that much PDRN."
I Tested EVERY Olive Young Best Seller to find the BEST
"VT PDRN serum, I absolutely love it. I use it with a lot of the clients. So many clients took pictures of this, but let's say if you're oily combo skin, and if you're like a teenager, like young skin, this one feels too heavy. It's very milky, thick."
TOP 4 Affordable Korean Skincare Brands That ACTUALLY Work for Mature Skin
"I love this PDRN essence. Different from the Medicube or other PDRN, this is a plant-based PDRN, so definitely, if you're looking for that, it's a great choice."
✓Yay
"I do really like their PDRN serum. It's a little bit more of a moisturizing serum, but it's a great PDRN based serum, and it's even on sale."
All 2 takes from AliceintheRabbitHole
Skincare Empties! TONS of sunscreen (predictably)
"I think I'm still going to say the VT PDRN serum is my favorite for me personally, even though I did like that the IOP PDRN was a gel-like serum in contrast to the creamy serum that the VT PDRN is. Both are vegan PDRN."
WE HAVE A DATE FOR ULTA'S 10X! Info & My Recs!
"I do really like their PDRN serum. It's a little bit more of a moisturizing serum, but it's a great PDRN based serum, and it's even on sale."
✓Yay
"This is the VT PDRN Essence 100. This is fantastic because it actually helps that PDRN get to where it needs to be using the spicule technology in here. Spicules were a huge trend in 2025 as was PDRN both contained in this. And I think this is a really great advanced anti-aging product. It definitely worked quicker than other PDRN treatments because you've got those spicules. It instantly plumps and hydrates and in the long term you get some great anti-aging benefit."
All 2 takes from Mad About Skin
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"These two are phenomenal when it comes to anti-aging. [...] The PDRN version contains PDRN which is well-studied and is the hottest ingredient of the moment for boosting collagen and elastin production, just improving overall skin health too. [...] A little goes a long way and my top tip with them is pat them into the skin. Don't rub cuz those spicules will be extra spicy and prickly if you start rubbing. Pat them into the skin. I think that'll give you the very best results."
The END OF PDRN - From Viral To Fail In 12 Months
"This is the VT PDRN Essence 100. This is fantastic because it actually helps that PDRN get to where it needs to be using the spicule technology in here. Spicules were a huge trend in 2025 as was PDRN both contained in this. And I think this is a really great advanced anti-aging product. It definitely worked quicker than other PDRN treatments because you've got those spicules. It instantly plumps and hydrates and in the long term you get some great anti-aging benefit."
✓Yay
"They're spinning a new tagline about an ingredient that's been something we use in skincare for a while now. [...] But I do actually like this as a moisturizer. [...] I have no problem using it. It's a little pricey in my opinion, I think it's like 30 bucks, but it's really [...] nice. It's nice and emollient, rich. Emollients like oils are really good if you have dry, flaky skin."
All 4 takes from Dr Dray
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"I did a review on PDRN, and I talked about the VT PDRN Essence 100, and as a moisturizer, I thought it was great, but I was skeptical about the PDRN. [...] The marketing draw was that it was a vegan PDRN, coming from Panax Ginseng. There's pre-clinical study showing that PDRN isolated from Panax Ginseng can do some of the same things in vitro [...] that the salmon stuff does."
Shopping For Drugstore Skincare Favorites And New Finds
"They're spinning a new tagline about an ingredient that's been something we use in skincare for a while now. [...] But I do actually like this as a moisturizer. [...] I have no problem using it. It's a little pricey in my opinion, I think it's like 30 bucks, but it's really [...] nice. It's nice and emollient, rich. Emollients like oils are really good if you have dry, flaky skin."
PDRN Skincare: The Science Behind the Hype
"This is a really nice moisturizer in my opinion after personal use. I've rather enjoyed it and would consider repurchasing it even though it was a whopping $32 for 1 oz of this stuff. The reason I like it so much is that it has a poly glucuronic acid which is a polysaccharide that's super hydrating and can have film forming properties to reduce transepidermal water loss, so it really gives the skin this nice hydrated snappy recoil of what appears to be improved elasticity."
Dermatologist Skincare Empties: What I’d Actually Buy Again
"But this particular PDRN essence, the formula has a nice [...] slippery texture. I'm very texturally oriented. At the end of the day, a lot of these things end up doing more or less the same thing, moisturizing the skin. This is a moisturizer with a nice emollient finish. So I liked it in that regard. But the thing about this is not only was this one the PDRN marketing bozo, but they took the clown show full. [...] They claimed that this was a plant derived PDRN from panex ginseng extract."
✓Yay
"It really does a nice job hydrating, smoothing skin, and soothing. It helps with wound healing. [...] It does plump up skin and helps form a radiant skin moisture barrier and create a post-glow effect to provide healthy glow and elasticity to skin. I would say it helps with most of those benefits. Not exactly from the PDRN that they're naming the product off of, but more from the ceramides and the ginseng that they used. It's not super friendly for acne prone skin types."
All 4 takes from No BS Beauty
Keep Hearing About PDRN? Do You Need it in Your Routine? Benefits From PDRN for Skin and Aging
"The VT PDRN Essence [...] uses 100,000 parts per million of low molecular ginseng derived PDRN, it's vegan, and it's enriched with five types of ceramides, polyglycolic acid, panthenol, squalane, and allantoin. It's a little bit more on the expensive side, but it's got a really nice serum kind of gel texture to it. A little bit of it goes a long way. They call it an essence, but it's more of a serum moisturizer I would call it. Very nice product and worth checking out."
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"It's a nice lightweight kind of gel textured serum. [...] I appreciate ginseng, I really like ginseng in my skincare, it's a great antioxidant. It [...] feels pretty nice on my forehead. I've used it a couple times now and so far so good. [...] The ingredients in it are really good and I like the ginseng and the texture of it feels nice. It [...] does give you kind of a glow and it feels really nice and light on your skin which is nice."
Livestream- Exosomes, Numbuzin Nad Essence in Depth, Mesotherapy Discussion
"There's one I talked about the VT PDRN Essence 100 that one used a plant type of protein instead of the salmon thing. I don't necessarily know how much I necessarily think some of these plants are going to end up stacking up next to some of the human [...] or the salmon ones that are more biologically close to our skin than a plant, but if it doesn't smell like salmon then I'm okay with it. I don't want to smell like salmon."
VT Cosmetics Vegan PDRN Essence 100 Serum Review, How to Use, Dupes & Alternatives
"It really does a nice job hydrating, smoothing skin, and soothing. It helps with wound healing. [...] It does plump up skin and helps form a radiant skin moisture barrier and create a post-glow effect to provide healthy glow and elasticity to skin. I would say it helps with most of those benefits. Not exactly from the PDRN that they're naming the product off of, but more from the ceramides and the ginseng that they used. It's not super friendly for acne prone skin types."
✓Yay
"The PDRN essence is packed with vegan PDRN from Korean wild ginseng. It's got multiple types of hyaluronic acid and peptides. The idea here is the Reedle shot opens the door and the PDRN walks through it to deliver barrier support and glow where it actually counts."
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✓Yay
"I really like the VT PDRN Essence, which has vegan PDRN along with ginseng, plus ten different types of hyaluronic acid and nine types of peptides. I'm getting great barrier support and collagen support even though I'm not using tretinoin in that step, so instead of additional irritation from other actives, I'm just getting better recovery, hydration, and skin supportive ingredients."
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✓Yay
"I also consistently saw this one brought up by chemists and dermatologists talking about PDRN, and it's widely considered to be the best vegan PDRN serum from what I've been able to find. I really enjoy this one. It's very rich and nourishing, a thicker consistency, definitely ideal for overnight use or during the day if you have more dry skin. Compared to all the other products I'm mentioning, this is definitely the thickest and richest."
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All 2 takes from Hyram
Korean Skin Care Tricks You've Never Heard Of!
"VT Cosmetics was able to naturally extract PDRN from wild ginseng actually grown on Jirisan Mountain in Korea and used it in their PDRN Essence, a product I've been using and particularly loved. Ginseng is already an incredible ingredient that is really underutilized here in the US, and because it's naturally extracted it means it's certified vegan."
Does PDRN Really Do Anything?
"I also consistently saw this one brought up by chemists and dermatologists talking about PDRN, and it's widely considered to be the best vegan PDRN serum from what I've been able to find. I really enjoy this one. It's very rich and nourishing, a thicker consistency, definitely ideal for overnight use or during the day if you have more dry skin. Compared to all the other products I'm mentioning, this is definitely the thickest and richest."
✓Yay
"This is a great PDRN product. If you are interested in plant-based PDRN from VT, this is the product that I suggest you get. [...] It uses 10% of the Wild Gins PDRN. [...] PDRN is all about, it's one of those like complimentary ingredients that just really help your skin to behave more youthful. It helps with the processes that stimulate collagen. It helps with wound healing on the skin. Long-term consistent PDRN use can definitely help with collagen stimulation."
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All 14 takes from Kelly Driscoll
You Put WHAT on Your Face?! | PDRN the Hottest Trend in K-Beauty
"With very long consistent use of this product you will see some good improvements in skin elasticity. [...] My skin looks so much healthier, so much glowier, maybe even a little bit more glass skin, a little bit more luminous. [...] It's bringing out this healthiness to my skin. [...] I've noticed this from ginseng products in general over many years in K Beauty, and that's why I love the ingredient."
The Best Skincare of 2024!
"It brings out that vital glow to my skin, but it also plumps and firms the skin. It actually firms the skin. It's [...] great for anti-aging, it helps with skin elasticity. PDRN helps with skin rejuvenation and skin healing as well, and helps with some collagen stimulation. This is something that would be great right alongside a tretinoin or retinoid routine, it can be used in the same routine."
7 Things that Happened to my Skin Using PDRN | AD ft. VT
"I've been really excited about the VT PDRN Essence 100. I've been talking about this a lot in a lot of my skincare routines because this is truly like a daily driver for me when it comes to getting PDRN into my routines on a daily basis. This contains 10% of wild ginseng PDRN so it's a really good concentrated amount and there's no roller in this bottle. I'm going in with the essence on a daily basis because it is still moisturizing."
My Top 5 Serums | 2025 Edition
"I started using this towards the middle of 2024 but it just never left my skincare routine. I emptied a bottle and now I'm starting up on my second bottle and this is just so so so good. It's just so amazing at supporting skin health. It really starts more at cellular levels. It starts at the health of your skin. It starts with all the little things that help to feed the health of your skin that longterm make your skin just look healthy and dewy."
Best SKINCARE I EMPTIED in 2025!!
"My skin just really responds well to Jins Singh itself. It [...] really brings out a healthy vitality to the skin. It really reduces redness, inflammation. It's a strong antioxidant, very protective for the skin. It promotes skin elasticity. [...] Everything I just said Jins Singh does, this product delivers. Plus some. Definitely helps to firm up the skin. I've noticed using this for over a year now, definitely some firmness and bounciness to the skin."
THIS is What I Do Weekly for Bright & Glowy Skin!
"I'm cycling through a few products right now, including the VT PDRN Essence 100, which you've seen me use over the last couple of months. That's given me extremely good results, especially for reducing redness on the skin and really increasing the vitality, firmness, smoothness, and plumpness of my skin. This is definitely something that helps me achieve that brighter, glowier skin that you see today."
2024 Skincare Wins and Lessons | PM Routine
"I'm going to use the VT PDRN Essence 100 which has a very rich, very milky creamy type of texture but it's very thick, it's not watery like at all. Because of the texture, a little bit of misting really helps the PDRN essence spread and as well as absorb into the skin."
My TOP 5 VT Skincare Picks!
"This is a great PDRN product. If you are interested in plant-based PDRN from VT, this is the product that I suggest you get. [...] It uses 10% of the Wild Gins PDRN. [...] PDRN is all about, it's one of those like complimentary ingredients that just really help your skin to behave more youthful. It helps with the processes that stimulate collagen. It helps with wound healing on the skin. Long-term consistent PDRN use can definitely help with collagen stimulation."
October Faves | Stratia, VT, Tula
"What I noticed with this is just like a more rejuvenated look to my skin. [...] This is not an aggressive product so I can use this morning and night time. It pairs with retinoids, it pairs with all different types of ingredients, it's just easy. It's also creamy and moisturizing in texture too so it's perfect for the colder weather. [...] I'm very excited about this ingredient."
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"It's also an anti-inflammatory ingredient that is a really good ingredient for supporting skin elasticity. That's really the biggest benefits I've noticed using this serum is that my skin does seem firmer and it also just seems so glowy and so healthy and so rejuvenated. It really does rejuvenate the skin, it really gives you that glow up, which I really appreciate. It has a really moisturizing texture, it is creamy, it's actually very thick, it actually feels pretty rich on the skin."
My Ride-or-Die K-Beauty Skincare in 2025!
"This uses 10% of PDRN derived from wild ginseng, and I think that is the secret sauce to why I like this so much. Ginseng is amazing for skin elasticity first and foremost. It is often used in well-aging formulas because it is so amazing for taking care of your skin, for helping with skin elasticity, skin firmness, skin vitality, the glowiness of your skin. Ginseng increases skin circulation. It has given me such great results for my skin that it just makes sense to include it."
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"The PDRN from VT this essence took me to glowing skin, not just clear skin. [...] Reducing redness, helping to bring out that healthy lit from within complexion, feeding the skin barrier, keeping it nice and strong. The texture of this for my skin type, keeping a lot of moisture into my skin, keeping my skin protected from cold, harsh elements, especially in the winter time. [...] It's made your skin look more youthful. It's made your skin look rejuvenated. [...] It gives your skin a spa day."
VIRAL K-Beauty I ✨DO✨ Recommend!
"I'm a big fan of the PDRN products from VT, especially the PDRN 100 Essence. I absolutely love it and really another viral product that I would recommend. [...] It's this really gorgeous plumping, hydrating gel texture, and there's these really beautiful, perfectly precisely placed plops of this green cream inside of the gel. Those are the capsules. [...] It's totally unique and different."
Downsides of Being an Influencer | Chatty PM Skincare Routine
"This is the VT PDRN Essence 100 and this is also a really milky texture that I absolutely love and it's just been a really good winter essence serum. I really treat it like a serum, it's just been really great for my skin."
✓Yay
"I love this because it gives the skin a water glow effect. It leaves a finish that is so glossy and reflective. It has 10% sodium DNA alongside their vegan PDRN, which is of course ginseng root. There are also five different types of ceramides as well as vitamin B5. [...] The texture is milky and not your typical texture. It's a little hard to describe, but while you're applying it on your skin, there's a little bit of a skin-gripping effect."
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✓Yay
"I have an oily T-zone and dry cheeks and it's been really nice so far. It's a little bit thicker than what you would expect from an essence. You'd use this before you use the sheet mask, so you put this straight on after the rile shot to maximize the benefits. [...] A lot of the reviews and a lot of people who have been using these for months and months say that this is a must-have with the rile shot line. [...] I've been loving the results for my skin texture especially so far."
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What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide has evidence behind it for redness, uneven tone and supporting the skin barrier, and it is usually well tolerated even by skin that reacts to most things.

Source: DermNet

Ceramides

Ceramides are part of the skin's own barrier, and moisturisers built around them have evidence for holding water in and settling the tightness and flaking that come with a damaged barrier.

Source: DermNet

Humectants and emollients

Ingredients like these draw water into the surface layers and slow how fast it leaves. The evidence is for comfort, softness and hydration rather than for changing the structure of the skin.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is VT PDRN Essence 100?

A vegan PDRN essence-serum hybrid with plant-derived PDRN from Korean ginseng, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and spicule technology designed to support skin barrier, hydration, and collagen production.

Is VT PDRN Essence 100 worth it?

Yes. All 11 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 79%.

What is VT PDRN Essence 100's Guru Score?

VT PDRN Essence 100 holds a Guru Score of 79%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 11 expert reviewers we have collected.

Who is VT PDRN Essence 100 best for?

VT PDRN Essence 100 is generally suited to dry skin and sensitive skin.

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