MEDIPEEL, the Korean brand: a guide to Peptide 9, Red Lacto and Young Cica
Its story, its key ingredients, its lines and which product to choose for your skin: everything about MEDIPEEL.
- MEDIPEEL is a Korean skincare brand run by the company Skinidea, founded in 2014 and based in Gangnam, Seoul.
- It presents itself as a “derma-aesthetic” brand: skincare inspired by beauty salon treatments, to use at home.
- Its key ingredients: the peptides in the Peptide 9 line, the collagen in Red Lacto Collagen and the PDRN in Young Cica.
- It is distributed in more than 75 countries.
Contents
You may have already spotted its lab-style bottles, its ampoules with “Tox” names or its red collagen mask, easy to spot. If you’re looking for information on MEDIPEEL, the Korean skincare brand, remember one simple idea: it’s salon-style care to do at home, with actives highlighted on the label, carefully crafted textures and very targeted lines.
In this guide, we explain who’s behind MEDIPEEL, what its key ingredients are, how to find your way through its many lines and, above all, where to start for your skin. No unnecessary jargon: just what you need to choose well.
MEDIPEEL, the Korean brand: its story
MEDIPEEL is the flagship brand of Skinidea, a Korean cosmetics company founded in 2014 and based in the Gangnam, Seoul area. Skinidea also develops a second brand, Dermamaison. The name MEDIPEEL sets the tone from the start: an approach inspired by professional beauty treatments, with products designed to be used every day, at home.
The brand first grew thanks to its targeted lines, easy to spot on the shelf: Peptide 9 for firmness, Red Lacto Collagen and its red mask, which became the brand’s signature product, then more recently Young Cica with PDRN. MEDIPEEL products were exported very early: today, Skinidea reports distribution in more than 75 countries.
Behind the scenes, in March 2024, the investment fund of Morgan Stanley (Morgan Stanley Private Equity) bought 67% of Skinidea, with the founders keeping the rest. In February 2026, Wi Hyun-jong became the brand’s new CEO. And, as of mid-October 2026, a new step is on the way: the Korean business press reported in September 2026 that the fund MBK Partners had signed the agreement to take over Skinidea, with the management team set to stay in place. The acquisition still has to be finalized.
In Korea, the brand has also made its way into neighborhood pharmacies that tourists visit a lot, in Myeongdong, Hongdae or Seongsu, where you’ll find its Melanon X and Retinal NMN lines in particular.
The MEDIPEEL philosophy: salon care, home version
MEDIPEEL describes itself as a “derma-beauty creator”, with a slogan that sums up the idea well: “innovation and care through skin science”. In practice, that means three things:
- The active in the name: Peptide 9, PDRN, Retinal NMN, collagen… you know right away what the product is built around.
- Complete lines: cleanser, toner, ampoule, cream and sometimes a mask or sunscreen in the same line, for a consistent routine.
- “Pro” formats: lab-style ampoule bottles, soaked pads, wrapping masks, inspired by the treatments you get at a beauty salon.
A quick note: the word “Tox” that appears in several names (Water Tox, Pepti Tox, Aqua Plus Tox…) is a marketing wink. These are cosmetics, with no link whatsoever to injections.
The product to try firstMEDIPEEL Water Tox PDRN Hyal Drop Gel Cream 50gOur favorite MEDIPEEL product to start with: a fresh gel cream filled with little blue beads, with hyaluronic acid and PDRN. It hydrates without feeling greasy: perfect for combination skin and for summer.
34,90 €SEE THE PRODUCTMEDIPEEL’s key ingredients
Every MEDIPEEL line is built around one or two main actives. Here are the ones to know to find your way.
Peptides (Peptide 9 line)
Peptides are small chains of amino acids widely used in anti-aging skincare. The Peptide 9 line gets its name from its complex of 9 peptides, often combined with adenosine and hyaluronic acid. The goal: to help skin look firmer and plumper, and to smooth the look of fine lines. Try it with the Peptide 9 Volume Pro all-in-one essence.
Collagen (Red Lacto Collagen line)
It’s the red line, the brand’s emblem. Collagen is used here for its hydrating and plumping effect on the surface: skin looks suppler and smoother. The line goes from cleanser to the Tightening Ampoule, including pads and masks.
PDRN (Young Cica and Water Tox lines)
PDRN is an ingredient used in K-beauty skincare focused on skin comfort and soothing. At MEDIPEEL, you’ll mainly find it in the Young Cica line, where it’s paired with centella to soothe blemish-prone skin, as in the Young Cica PDRN soothing cream.
Hyaluronic acid (Mooltox line)
“Mool” means “water” in Korean: the Hyaluronic Acid Layer Mooltox line is therefore the one for hydration. Hyaluronic acid holds water on the skin’s surface, for a fresher, more comfortable complexion. The Mooltox wrapping mask is ideal after a day in air conditioning.
Retinal and NMN (Retinal NMN Bounce Shot line)
Retinal is a vitamin A derivative, a cousin of retinol, appreciated for smoothing skin texture. MEDIPEEL pairs it with NMN in its Bounce Shot line, presented by the brand as “beyond retinol”. Use it at night, and introduce it slowly, like the Retinal NMN booster.
Radiance actives (Melanon X and Vitamin lines)
For a dull complexion and visible spots, MEDIPEEL relies on radiance formulas like the Melanon X ampoule, and on vitamin pads to even out your skin tone every day.
The MEDIPEEL lines to know
| Line | What for |
|---|---|
| Peptide 9 | Firmness, visible wrinkles, skin lacking bounce |
| Red Lacto | Hydrating, plumping, suppler skin |
| Young Cica | Blemish-prone and reactive skin |
| Mooltox | Hyaluronic acid hydration, dehydrated skin |
| Tox ampoules | Aqua, Pepti, Mela, Leaf: one targeted need per bottle (hydration, firmness, radiance, soothing) |
| Melanon X | Dull complexion and visible spots |
| Retinal NMN | Skin texture, first signs of aging |
| Extra Super 9+ | Blackheads and visible pores |
| 2X Pads | A quick step after cleansing, depending on your need |
Which MEDIPEEL for your skin?
Pick your need: we give you our favorite product, plus two more to round things out.
Skin lacking firmness
A peptide ampoule morning and night, patches for the eye area, and retinal at night when your skin is ready.
Blemishes and reactive skin
Focus on soothing above all: a centella and PDRN ampoule, refreshing pads and a gentle treatment for blackheads.
Dull complexion and spots
A radiance ampoule for visible spots, vitamin pads to even out your tone, and a glutathione serum for glow.
Dehydrated, tight skin
A hydrating ampoule, a hyaluronic acid serum and, once or twice a week, a wrapping mask for a radiance boost.
A complete MEDIPEEL routine, morning and night
Morning
- CleanseThe Algo Tox Vita Cleanser, on damp skin, then rinse with lukewarm water.
- ToneThe Red Lacto Collagen toner, patted in with your hands to prep the skin.
- Targeted careA few drops of the Peptide 9 ampoule for firmness, or of Melanon X for radiance.
- MoisturizeThe Water Tox gel cream, light and fresh.
- ProtectThe Peptide 9 sun stick, handy for touch-ups during the day.
Evening
- Remove makeupThe Vegan Vitamin cleansing oil to remove makeup and sunscreen.
- CleanseA second cleanse with the Algo Tox Vita Cleanser.
- Targeted careThe Retinal NMN booster 2 to 3 nights a week, or the Young Cica ampoule on the other nights.
- NourishThe Red Lacto Collagen Barrier Cream to finish and keep skin comfortable all night.
Our tips for using MEDIPEEL well
- One line at a time: MEDIPEEL has a lot of lines. Start with the one that matches your main need rather than mixing everything.
- Test first on a small area, especially with retinal, exfoliating pads and radiance products.
- Retinal is for nighttime, 2 nights a week at first, then increase if your skin tolerates it well.
- Sunscreen is essential in the morning as soon as you use retinal or radiance products.
- Ampoules are measured by the drop: 2 or 3 drops are enough for your whole face, no need to use more.
- Pads go right after cleansing: swipe them over your face, then follow with your serum.
MEDIPEEL products are cosmetics: they help hydrate, soothe and improve the look of your skin, but they don’t replace medical advice. If your skin reacts (lasting redness, itching, unusual breakouts), if you’re pregnant and unsure about retinal, or if a skin problem persists, ask a dermatologist for advice.
Our Sunday-night ritual: a wrapping mask. Apply a generous layer of the Collagen Water Glow Wrapping Mask before bed, once or twice a week: when you wake up, your skin looks soft and luminous.
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Frequently asked questions about MEDIPEEL
Is MEDIPEEL a Korean brand?
Yes. MEDIPEEL is the flagship brand of Skinidea, a Korean company founded in 2014 and based in Gangnam, Seoul.
What does “Peptide 9” mean?
It’s the name of MEDIPEEL’s anti-aging line, built around a complex of 9 peptides. It helps skin look firmer and plumper.
What is MEDIPEEL’s signature product?
The Red Lacto Collagen Wrapping Mask, the brand’s signature product. At Ma Petite Corée, the Water Tox PDRN gel cream is our favorite MEDIPEEL product right now.
Do MEDIPEEL’s “Tox” products have anything to do with Botox?
No. “Tox” is a marketing name: these are regular cosmetics to apply to your skin, with no link whatsoever to injections.
Which MEDIPEEL line should you choose for blemish-prone skin?
The Young Cica PDRN line, which combines centella and PDRN to soothe the skin. For blackheads, also look at Extra Super 9+.
How do you use MEDIPEEL retinal?
At night only, 2 to 3 times a week at first, on dry skin. The next morning, sunscreen is essential.
Who owns MEDIPEEL?
Since March 2024, Skinidea has been controlled by the fund of Morgan Stanley. As of mid-October 2026, an agreement for a takeover by the fund MBK Partners has been signed, according to the Korean business press.
Are the MEDIPEEL products from Ma Petite Corée authentic?
Yes, everything we sell is official and ships directly from our office in Seoul.
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Jihyun, team Ma Petite Corée