Medicube PDRN Toner Salmon vs L'Oreal Paris Smoothing Toner: which should you buy?
Two toners rated 4.6/5: one soothing PDRN hydrator, one exfoliating vitamin C toner pitched at mature skin.
medicube medicube PDRN Toner Salmon DNA PDRN CICA Soothing
4.7(4,802) £14.20£15.60-9% Check price on Amazon →
L'Oreal Paris L'Oreal Paris Smoothing Toner, Age Perfect, with Vitamin C
4.6(2,686) £2.50£4.99-50% Check price on Amazon →The short answer
if your skin is reactive or dehydrated and you want a calming, hydrating step you can use twice daily.
if you want a vitamin C toner that actively exfoliates and smooths, and your skin handles that comfortably.
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Side by side
| medicube PDRN Toner Salmon DNA PDRN | L'Oreal Paris Smoothing Toner, Age Perfect | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £14.20£15.60-9% See on Amazon → | £2.50£4.99-50% See on Amazon → |
| Rating | ★★★★★ 4.7 | ★★★★★ 4.6 |
| Review count | 4,802 | 2,686 |
| Amazon best-seller rank | #11 in Face Astringents & Toners | #8 in Face Astringents & Toners |
| Amazon purchases | 1K+ bought | 2K+ bought |
| Key active | salmon DNA PDRN | vitamin C |
| Format | toner | - |
| Size | 8.45 fl. Oz | - |
| Routine step | tone | tone |
| Best for | glow | - |
| Sensitive-skin friendly | Listing flags no strong actives | No data |
| Highlights |
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Our verdict
Both are well rated, 4.7 and 4.6 out of 5, both sit in the toning step, and there the overlap stops. The medicube is a lightweight watery toner with salmon DNA PDRN, niacinamide, peptides and cica, aimed at soothing and uneven tone, and it is the gentler of the two on paper. L’Oreal’s Age Perfect is a vitamin C toner sold on exfoliating, smoothing and energising, so it is the more stimulating option and squarely pitched at mature skin. Volumes differ: 8.45 fl oz against 200ml, so the medicube goes further per bottle. medicube also has more reviews, 4,802 to 2,686, though L’Oreal holds the cleaner distribution, just 2% at one or two stars against medicube’s 5%. If your skin is easily upset, the PDRN toner is the safer daily choice. If you want a toner that resurfaces, L’Oreal is doing that job and medicube is not.
Which one is for you?
- Choose the medicube PDRN Toner Salmon DNA PDRN CICA Soothing Toner if your skin is reactive or dehydrated and you want a calming, hydrating step you can use twice daily. Read our full look at the medicube PDRN Toner Salmon DNA PDRN →
- Choose the L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Smoothing Toner if you want a vitamin C toner that actively exfoliates and smooths, and your skin handles that comfortably. See the L'Oreal Paris Smoothing Toner, Age Perfect on Amazon →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the medicube PDRN Toner Salmon DNA PDRN and the L'Oreal Paris Smoothing Toner, Age Perfect?
Two toners rated 4.6/5: one soothing PDRN hydrator, one exfoliating vitamin C toner pitched at mature skin.
Which is better, the medicube PDRN Toner Salmon DNA PDRN or the L'Oreal Paris Smoothing Toner, Age Perfect?
Neither is simply better; it depends on your skin and goal. Choose the medicube PDRN Toner Salmon DNA PDRN CICA Soothing Toner if your skin is reactive or dehydrated and you want a calming, hydrating step you can use twice daily. Choose the L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Smoothing Toner if you want a vitamin C toner that actively exfoliates and smooths, and your skin handles that comfortably.
Can I use the medicube PDRN Toner Salmon DNA PDRN and the L'Oreal Paris Smoothing Toner, Age Perfect together?
Often yes. If they sit at different routine steps you can layer them lightest to heaviest, and if they do the same job you would usually pick one. Introduce new actives one at a time and patch test first.
Where these claims come from
- Star ratings and review counts: Amazon.co.uk's own figures for each listing, read on 2026-10-01.
- Prices and stock: read from each Amazon.co.uk listing, read on 2026-10-01.
- Best Sellers Rank and "bought in past month" badges: Amazon.co.uk's own figures, shown on the product page, read on 2026-10-01.
We have not tested either product. Everything above is read from the listings and the manufacturer, with the dates shown, plus our own reading of what the two are for. Ratings are Amazon customers' scores, not ours.
Amazon.co.uk figures, not ours: prices read on 2026-10-01; star ratings and review counts read on 2026-10-01. Prices and ratings change; these are dated snapshots.
Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in PDRN & Salmon DNA or browse the whole range.