Is Medicube Korean Skincare? Who Owns Medicube

Short answer: Yes, Medicube is a Korean skincare brand. It is owned by APR, a Seoul-based beauty company founded in 2014 by Kim Byung-hoon and listed on the Korean stock exchange in 2024. Medicube makes skincare and at-home beauty devices, including its popular PDRN range and AGE-R devices.

Is Medicube Korean skincare, or a Western brand using a Korean look? It is a fair question, because Medicube is sold so widely through TikTok, Amazon and UK retailers. This guide explains who makes Medicube, how the brand works and how to make sure you are buying the real thing. For the PDRN range itself, see what is Medicube PDRN.

Key takeaways

• Medicube is the flagship brand of APR, which Kim Byung-hoon founded in 2014[1,2].

• APR went public on the KOSPI, Korea's main stock market, in February 2024[3].

• Devices, such as the AGE-R Booster Pro, often make up 30–40% of Medicube's annual sales[2].

• Like many Korean brands, APR outsources much of its product design and production to specialist manufacturers[4].

Who owns Medicube?

Medicube is owned by APR Corporation, a South Korean beauty company. Kim Byung-hoon founded APR in 2014, starting with the brand Aprilskin, and later launched Medicube to focus on targeted treatments[1,2]. APR listed on the KOSPI in February 2024[3]. By January 2026 it had become Korea's largest beauty company by market value, ahead of Amorepacific[3].

So Medicube is Korean in ownership, brand origin and headquarters.

What does Medicube sell?

Is Medicube made in Korea?

Medicube is a Korean brand, but the exact factory varies by product. A 2025 Korean report noted that APR outsources much of its design and production, which helps it launch products quickly[4]. Using a contract manufacturer is common across K-beauty and in Western cosmetics too. It does not mean lower quality.

For UK shoppers, the country of manufacture matters less than the label. A product sold in Great Britain must name a UK Responsible Person and carry a full ingredient list[6]. Check the country of origin printed on the box if it matters to you.

Is Medicube good skincare?

Medicube is best known for its marketing and devices, and its formulas are generally well put together. Its PDRN products combine hydrators, peptides and niacinamide with salmon-derived PDRN. The evidence for topical PDRN is limited, so most visible benefits come from the hydrating base. We explain this in is PDRN good for skin.

Pharmacist's tip from Khalid Anwar: Medicube's popularity has made it a target for counterfeits and grey-market resellers. If a device or serum is much cheaper than at major retailers, treat that as a warning sign. With devices especially, buy from a seller who will honour the warranty.

What the evidence says about Medicube products

We found no independent clinical trials of Medicube's skincare products published in peer-reviewed journals. Brand claims are usually based on the company's own testing. That does not mean the products do not work. It means you should judge them on their ingredients and on how your skin responds over six to eight weeks.

For devices, the evidence varies by technology. Our beauty devices hub reviews the AGE-R range in detail.

How to buy genuine Medicube in the UK

1. Buy from Medicube's official store or established UK retailers.

2. Be cautious with marketplace listings sold by unknown third parties.

3. Check the box for a UK Responsible Person, batch code and full ingredient list[6].

4. Compare the packaging with the photos on the official website.

5. Keep your receipt for device warranties.

6. Patch test new skincare for a few days before using it on your face.

Who should take care with Medicube products

• Fish allergy or vegan: Medicube's PDRN range uses salmon-derived ingredients. See is PDRN vegan.

• Pregnancy: some Medicube products, such as certain collagen balms and pads, list retinol. The NHS says topical retinoids are not suitable in pregnancy[7]. Check every label and ask your midwife or pharmacist if unsure.

• Devices: follow the instructions, avoid broken or inflamed skin, and speak to a pharmacist or GP before using devices if you have a skin condition.

Medicube devices: what to know

Devices are a large part of Medicube's business, often 30–40% of yearly sales[2]. The AGE-R range uses technologies such as microcurrent and electrical stimulation to help skincare feel more effective. Evidence for at-home devices is limited and varies by technology, so expect modest changes at most. Follow the instructions carefully, avoid broken or inflamed skin, and check with your GP before use if you have a pacemaker or other implanted device.

Is Medicube worth buying?

Medicube is worth buying if you like its textures and the ingredients suit your skin. Its PDRN products are pleasant, hydrating formulas, but their PDRN-specific benefits are not proven. Its devices are expensive, so compare them carefully with proven basics first: daily sunscreen and, if suitable, a retinoid. If your budget is limited, spend it on those before a device.

Medicube compared with other Korean brands

How to check a Medicube product is genuine

If anything does not match, contact the seller before using the product. Our guide on whether Korean skincare products on Amazon are legit explains how to check marketplace sellers.

The bottom line

Medicube is a genuinely Korean brand, owned by Seoul-based APR and listed in Korea since 2024. Its popularity rests on PDRN skincare and at-home devices. Buy it from official or established sellers, check the UK label, and judge each product on its ingredients rather than its social media fame.

FAQs

Is Medicube a Korean brand?

Yes. It is owned by APR, a South Korean company founded in 2014[1].

Who is the founder of Medicube?

Kim Byung-hoon, who founded APR and launched Medicube after Aprilskin[1,2].

Is Medicube sold in the UK?

Yes, through its official store, UK retailers and online marketplaces. Buy from established sellers to avoid fakes.

Is Medicube PDRN Korean?

Yes. The PDRN Pink range is a Medicube product line. See what is Medicube PDRN.

Is Medicube safe?

Products legally sold in the UK must pass a safety assessment[6]. Check labels for retinol if you are pregnant, and patch test if your skin is sensitive.

Related reading

• What Is Medicube PDRN?

• Medicube PDRN Review

• Medicube Brand Guide

• Korean Beauty Devices

References

1. Wikipedia. Kim Byung-hoon (entrepreneur). Accessed October 2026.

2. Glossy. Kim Byung-hoon, APR Corp and Medicube (Glossy 50). November 2025.

3. The Korea Times. Korean beauty firms race toward IPOs on global boom. January 2026.

4. Korea JoongAng Daily. Korean skincare startups are booming. Most don't make their own products. July 2025.

5. Korea Economic Daily. APR first-quarter 2025 results and Medicube products. May 2025.

6. GOV.UK. Making cosmetic products available to consumers in Great Britain. Accessed October 2026.

7. NHS. Acne: treatment. Accessed October 2026.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a pharmacist, GP or other qualified healthcare professional. If you have a reaction or a medical concern, seek professional advice.