COSRX's PDRN Toner Is the Next Big Thing in K-Beauty

This hydrating and soothing toner is a game-changer for fans of the brand's snail mucin products.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Victoria McDonnell, a New York Post commerce journalist and content strategist, recently tried the COSRX 5 PDRN B5 Vital Soothing Toner and was blown away by its hydrating and skin-repairing properties. Built around a complex of five types of PDRN derived from sources like salmon, centella, rice, lactobacillus and sea grapes, plus soothing vitamin B5, this toner is more than just a typical splash-on step - it's a hydration and repair elixir that preps the skin before the rest of your routine.

Why it matters

As the K-beauty trend continues to evolve, this COSRX toner represents the next wave of innovative skincare ingredients like PDRN that promise anti-aging and soothing benefits. For fans of the brand's popular snail mucin products, this toner offers a unique alternative that still delivers hydration and calming effects, but with added resilience and glow.

The details

McDonnell found the toner's lightweight, silky texture to be a standout, as it absorbed quickly without any stickiness or heaviness. After a week of regular use, her complexion looked plumper, more even, and had a subtle glow. While snail mucin is still a beloved ingredient, this PDRN toner offered an extra layer of skin strengthening and barrier support that made it a new staple in her routine.

  • Victoria McDonnell tested the COSRX 5 PDRN B5 Vital Soothing Toner recently.

The players

Victoria McDonnell

A New York Post commerce journalist and content strategist who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products, and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends.

COSRX

A Korean skincare brand known for its popular snail mucin products, which has now expanded into innovative ingredients like PDRN.

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What they’re saying

“If you, like me, have been obsessed with COSRX's snail mucin formulas (truthfully, who hasn't loved how the snail essence just puffs up your skin with hydration and bounce?), this toner is the kind of next-level upgrade you don't see coming but absolutely want.”

— Victoria McDonnell (New York Post)

“From the very first application, I was struck by how comfortably lightweight the texture is. Listen, I've tried viscous, sticky toners in the past that leave me wondering if something is actually sinking in. Refreshingly (and I mean that quite literally!), this feels more like a silky mist of hydration: cooling on contact, fast to absorb and infinitely layerable.”

— Victoria McDonnell (New York Post)

The takeaway

This COSRX PDRN toner represents the next evolution of K-beauty skincare, offering hydration and soothing benefits like the brand's popular snail mucin products, but with added skin-strengthening and barrier-supporting properties. For fans of the brand looking to explore new innovative ingredients, this toner is a must-try.