PlayLab Beauty

Topical PDRN is the Wild West of skincare right now. We’re all learning as fast as we can, but while the science evolves, marketing departments are moving even faster.

Riding on the coattails of wildly popular South Korean injectable treatments like Rejuran, brands are suddenly putting PDRN in everything. New lines are launching every single day.

So how do you actually choose? How do you know what works?

Here is the truth: There is an enormous amount of marketing fluff out there right now. To cut through the noise, you have to look past the front label and look at the specifications—molecular weight, purity, and actual ppm.

Choose your serums wisely, look for transparency, or ask us!

In the sea of PDRN products being developed lately, could this be the texture-refining combo you didn't know you needed? 🤔👇

We found this spot treatment in a Korean pharmacy and it completely flips the script on how we treat breakouts. Instead of aggressively burning a pimple off and dealing with a dark, flaky scar for months, this targets the tissue while the lesion is active.

Here is why the synergy of an AHA/PHA blend + PDRN could be a total game-changer for post-acne marks (PIH) and stubborn texture:

🧪 The AHA/PHA Blend: Keeps cell turnover fast and unglues dead skin cells so trapped pigment never has the chance to settle into a dark mark.

🧬 The PDRN: Binds to the skin’s receptors to rapidly calm inflammation and signals your cells to lay down new collagen fibers in an organized, smooth matrix—preventing a pitted scar or textured bump from forming in the first place.
It’s essentially a "repair-while-you-refine" strategy.

Would you swap your drying spot treatments for a barrier-first approach like this? Let’s talk in the comments!

No shade no shame to our friends still using Cetaphil and La Roche Posay. Some solid derm-loving drugstore staples, but if you’re looking to make some K-beauty swaps, here’s where we’d start.

Products mentioned available in-store and at PlayLabBeauty.com:
- Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser
- Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Soft Cleansing Gel
- Etude Soonjung pH Whip Cleanser
- Mixsoon Bean Cream
- Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum SPF 50+

With 30,000 K-beauty brands coming at us hard and fast, how do you choose? How do you know what’s worth your time and money? We’ve searched and tested and debated every product on our shelves. Skincare is a personal journey, but our job is to help you get there faster.

Tour our intimate little shop with just what’s best and none of the rest! Thoughtfully designed spaces meant to educate and encourage exploration. A play lab if you will 😉. Come hang with us where the vibes are calm and the skincare recs are strong.

Hello! We’re Jeanha and Vanessa of PlayLab Beauty. We’re known for our curated, guided approach to K-beauty. Our shop opened in Pasadena in 2024, but we’ve been at the beauty retail game for 20 years. Service and education are everything to us. We make sure you’ll get the most out of your skincare routine!

All jokes aside, welcome to Pasadena 💚

Our niacinamide-sensitive friends! This one’s for you. We’ve made sure our assortment includes enough options for those of you who want a niacinamide-free routine, or just want to not include layers upon layers of niacinamide in every step.

For all our ingredient-readers, watch til the end for a list of keywords to look for on the back of the box.

Products mentioned (available on PlayLabBeauty.com):
- Round Lab Birch Juice Cleanser
- Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture 5.5 Cleansing Gel
- Arencia Fresh Green Rice Mochi Cleanser
- I’m From Mugwort Essence
- Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Toner
- Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Hyaluronic Acid Toner
- Medicube Zero Pore Blackhead Mud Mask
- Beauty of Joseon Red Bean Refreshing Pore Mask
- Round Lab Burch Juice Moisturizing Serum
- Purcell High-Dose Peptide Serum
- Cosrx Advanced Snail Mucin Essence
- S.Nature Squalane Cream
- Abib Jericho Rose Nutrition Tube
- Biore UV Aqua Sunscreen
- Dr. G Mild Up Sunscreen
- Skin1004 Centella Hyalu-Cica Silky-Fit Sun Stick
- Beauty of Joseon Mugwort Matte Sunstick