The Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ Serum Gives Me Instantly Glassy Skin

06.07.2026, 16:27 allure.com

There’s nothing I want more from my skin-care routine than glass skin. While not a new concept, this K-beauty term for clear, poreless, luminous, and seemingly transparent skin continues to be the gold standard for beauty editors and, well, everyone else. While I indulge in sheet masks a few times a week and my LED mask when I remember, serums are a daily step I refuse to skimp on in my quest to get (and maintain) glowy, plump, and youthful-looking skin. TL;DR: Serums are high-potency products that deliver active ingredients into the skin most efficiently, Boston-based board-certified dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, MD, previously explained, and target specific skin-care concerns like dullness, fine lines, and more. (For this reason, I always tell my friends to invest in their serums! Cleansers and moisturizers? Not so much.)

And, as a Korean skin-care obsessive, I was super curious about the UK-based brand’s take on two of Korea’s biggest innovation exports of the past few years: PDRN and exosomes. Meet the Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+.

Medik8

Dermstore

Medik8

Inspired by injectable PDRN used primarily in Asia and Europe—where it helps to stimulate collagen production and promote wound healing—its topical counterpart is thought to improve skin texture, elasticity, and overall radiance, though experts aren't fully sold on that claim. Full disclosure: Allure’s stance on PDRN is that there isn’t enough clinical research (yet) to support the efficacy of topical PDRN, and our reporting on exosomes, another key ingredient in Prismatic+, has a similar conclusion. (Exosomes, for the uninitiated, are tiny structures that transport proteins, lipids, and genetic material in an effort to encourage wound healing and other forms of cellular repair—although again, whether this translates to topical products is TBD.)

It’s perhaps worth noting that Medik8 uses a vegan source of PDRN (listed simply as “DNA” in the ingredients list) that “might imply a biotech source, something prepared by fermentation,” says Kelly Dobos, a Cincinnati-based cosmetic chemist. However, the brand doesn’t disclose its exact source; plus, “DNA, no matter the source, is pretty fragile when it comes to cosmetic stability,” Dobo explains. The “Prismatic” of it all refers to a three-dimensional, pyramid-shaped structure that the brand claims improves the formula’s stability and penetration. To this, Dobos says more information on the molecular size and weight of the structure (which determines the level of skin penetration) is needed.

Working alongside the star ingredients, however, are widely tested supporting ingredients that are seriously pulling their weight, according to Dobos. In addition to a high concentration of hydrating glycerin and soothing, redness-minimizing allantoin, Dobos calls out niacinamide as a star ingredient. “As one of the most reliable multitaskers we have, [niacinamide] supports barrier function, improves skin tone, and can help with overall skin brightness and texture,” she says. I personally have also had luck with growth-factor serums, which are formulated to support the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. Medik8 uses its own technology, GF MiniProtein and oligopeptide-1 (a lab-engineered version of epidermal growth factor, or EGF for short), to smooth and plump skin.

Me applying the Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ after rinsing my face.

Me after applying the Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ with a visible glow.

The first thing that struck me about the Prismatic+ serum was its texture. It has this silky slip that allows it to really glide onto the skin—there’s no tugging whatsoever. (I’ll be damned if I accelerate the formation of any wrinkles!) As it melts into my skin, it does leave a slightly tacky finish—but I don’t mind it because I think it helps my gel moisturizer (if I wear one), sunscreen, and eventually makeup grip on better. They’re all one big happy family!

Most mornings I’ll apply a toner or essence, but I’ve skipped that step to see if Prismatic+ alone leaves me with a visible, healthy glow, and I’m happy to report that it does. Even if I only got five hours of sleep, my skin doesn’t look the least bit tired.

For reference, I’m 33, have combination skin (featuring a very oily T-zone), and my biggest concern is delaying early signs of aging. I’ve also never used injectables and don’t plan on it for the time being, so topical skin care—and a sporadic laser or facial here and there—is the crux of what I’m working with. To test, I incorporated Prismatic+ into my daytime and nighttime routines for a month. After I rinse my face in the morning, I’ll typically go in with a toner (currently, Skin1004’s Madagascar Centella Poremizing Clear Toner), Prismatic+, a second serum (more on that in a moment), and a moisturizing sunscreen (I forego a standalone moisturizer in the summer since I find the extra layer to be too heavy/cause pilling.) At nighttime, my typical routine is a double-cleanse, essence, Prismatic+, retinol, and richer cream.

I had one hesitation from the beginning: Is Prismatic+ enough as the only serum in my routine to address my concerns (again, early signs of aging)? When I asked Dobos for her opinion, she affirmed my skepticism: “This could be a nice supporting product in your skin-care routine, but I don't think it can replace proven antioxidants and retinoids.” I don’t see that as a downside, necessarily, as I already love cocktailing my serums—the more the merrier! I’ve been layering Prismatic with my usual vitamin C (I like Medik8’s C-Tetra Advanced) during the day and a retinol or retinal serum at night. Reminder: Derms always say to go from thinnest to thickest consistencies, and Prismatic+ is thinner than most—hence, it’s the first serum I apply.

I appreciate how versatile Prismatic+ is; not only does it give me an incredible glow from the outset, but it’s incredibly lightweight and layers well with my other skin-care products—sans heaviness (especially important in the humid dog days of summer) or pilling. For one, my skin looks bouncier and feels softer to the touch after each application. It often goes through bouts of stress (dryness, dullness) whenever the seasons change, and after a month of testing the Exo-PDRN Prismatic+, my skin definitely appears overall brighter, more hydrated, and balanced. I can imagine Prismatic+ shining in the colder months, too, when my combination skin suddenly craves more moisture. Exo-PDRN Prismatic+ is the kind of formula that plays well with all skin types. Case in point: David Kim, MD, a NYC-based board-certified dermatologist who uses Prismatic+ himself, adds that it's “great for acne-prone skin, especially in the summer, and layers well with salicylic acid.” (Dr. Kim also loves the lightweight texture, by the way—so two points for Prismatic+!)

I'm almost done with my first bottle—time to re-up soon.

All things considered—busy office days, long evenings filled with work events, choppy sleep, and everything else that life throws my way—I think I take pretty good care of my skin, but I can’t say skin care never falls to the wayside. On days I fall asleep before doing my full nighttime routine (including Exo-PDRN Prismatic+), my skin looks a little duller come morning. But a few pumps of this serum later, and my skin instantly perks up. It’s been a satisfying, glow-inducing addition to my skin-care routine, and I look forward to maintaining said glow in the coming months and reupping my supply of Prismatic+ when I run out. Moreover, whenever I’m at my derm’s office (Hi, Dr. Kim!) for my next round of Clear + Brilliant, I’ll be reaching for this as a post-laser treatment to soothe and intensely hydrate my skin. If you’re looking for a deeply hydrating serum that restores glow and bounce and makes your skin look healthier week after week, I can’t recommend Exo-PDRN Prismatic+enough.

Medik8

Dermstore

Medik8

When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.

For our review of the Medik8 Exo-PDRN Prismatic+, we considered the product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear—along with special consideration from a cosmetic chemist and board-certified dermatologist. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.

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