The three ingredients Koreans are buying right now: PDRN, heartleaf, and 'barrier' — explained

2026-09-17 · 5 min read · written in Busan

Read this week's Olive Young Korea top 30 and three words repeat: PDRN, 어성초 (heartleaf), and 장벽 (barrier). Korean trends reach US shelves with a lag of roughly six to twelve months, so this is a preview of what your feed will be selling next spring.

PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide)

A DNA-fragment ingredient originally extracted from salmon, used in Korean clinics as an injectable for wound healing and 'skin booster' treatments. In 2025–26 it moved into over-the-counter cosmetics. In cosmetic form it is applied to the skin, not injected; the evidence for topical effects is early and mostly brand-funded, so treat PDRN serums as hydrating, glow-giving serums with a trendy name. Chart examples: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum (#9), Anua's PDRN cream (#28), Mediheal's PDRN gel mask (#14).

Heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata, 어성초)

A plant used in Korean folk medicine, now the signature calming botanical of Korean skincare the way centella was five years ago. It is soothing and pleasant; it is not an acne treatment. Chart examples: Anua Heartleaf 77% Soothing Toner, Anua Heartleaf Centella Red Spot Cream (#6), Abib Heartleaf Teca Capsule Serum Calming Drop (#7).

'Barrier' (장벽)

Korean shorthand for ceramide-rich moisturizers that repair the skin's outer layer after summer sun, air-conditioning, and over-exfoliation. Eleven of this week's top 30 are barrier creams, several from pharmaceutical companies (Dongkook, Dong-A) and two from La Roche-Posay. The one you can buy in the US today is AESTURA Atobarrier 365 Cream (#21).

What is fading

Snail mucin is now a background ingredient rather than a headline; glass-skin 'glow' serums have given way to calming and repair. Retinol never took off on the Korean mass shelf and still hasn't.

We describe what the shelf is selling, not what works for your skin. Some links are affiliate links; see disclosure.