‘I tried Home Bargains’ £3 Korean-inspired skincare line and have mixed thoughts’

Our Beauty Writer and skincare enthusiast rushed to try the affordable Korean-inspired products recently. Read below for her full thoughts.

12:00, 18 Apr 2026

I can’t be the only one invested in Korean skincare right now. With products flying off the shelves or going viral, it’s a recent trend none of us can ignore.

Over the past few months, I have introduced quite a few different brands to my routine, namely Medicube, Anua and Beauty of Joseon. However, there’s a new kid on the block and it’s not from who I would have expected.

Miracle Beauty UK, which is said to offer affordable skincare products, has just landed on Home Bargains shelves. This includes a few that have been infused with PDRN, which, unless you’ve been living under a rock, is currently one of the buzziest ingredients for K-beauty products.

Praised for its repairing and regenerative abilities, essentially making skin look younger, some of these products can retail at up to over £30, depending on the brand. Fortunately, if you’re something of a money-conscious person like me, then you’ll be pleased to know Home Bargains’ newest line starts from under £3.

With such affordable prices for a skincare line that has been inspired by the biggest trend right now, I was keen to see if the Miracle Beauty UK PDRN collection could live up to my expectations. Read on below for my full thoughts on the serum, eye cream and the capsule cream.

What is included in the Home Bargains PDRN skincare?

Shoppers will be able to find three products in total, all of which contain one percent PDRN. Also known as Polydeoxyribonucleotide, this regenerative ingredient, which is suitable for all skin types, is said to be able to do everything from boosting collagen to reducing inflammation.

While it is traditionally derived from salmon, think the iconic Medicube Pink peptide Serum, the budget-friendly products from Miracle Beauty UK use sodium as the main source. This might be better for beauty fans who are maybe looking for a vegan-friendly alternative, especially as the brand claims it still offers all the same benefits.

There’s the Miracle Beauty PDRN Peptide Serum (30ml) that costs just £2.99. Described as “lightweight” and “fast absorbing”, it has been designed to boost skin cell renewal and improve overall texture for a healthier, fresh complexion.

The second product is the Miracle Beauty PDRN Peptide Eye Cream (30ml), also just £2.99, that “nourishes” and “firms” the delicate under-eye area. Also said to layer well under makeup or sunscreen, it supposedly “softens fine lines over time.”

Lastly, there is the Miracle Beauty PDRN Capsule Cream (50ml) that costs £3.99. Now, like PDRN, capsule creams have become incredibly popular, with this innovative gel already receiving praise online from one shopper who said it left her looking “10 years younger.”

What did I make of each product in the Home Bargains line?

I decided to incorporate each product into my routine twice a day for just over a week, once in the morning and then again in the evening. Overall, I have mixed feelings on how much I enjoyed using them.

After cleansing, I used the Peptide Serum that I found to be a little on the watery side and it did leave a little bit of a sticky residue on my skin that didn’t fully melt in. However, it did layer well underneath the rest of the products, with no pilling, and I did find that my skin did have a slightly glow to it, so it wasn’t all negative.

I followed this with the Peptide Eye Cream that was a little more nourishing overall, probably because it was thicker, cream-based formula. In fact, I did find that the little lines around the sides of my eyes ‘melted’ away each time, leaving it looking smoother and more awake, which is a definite plus for me.

Up last was the PDRN Capsule Cream, which was the one I was most excited to try, especially since Medicube’s costs up to £26. Overall, I was a little confused on whether the formula was really for me.

Unlike other creams, this one offers collagen-infused capsules in a lightweight gel and you need to mix the two together. However, you do need to mix the right ratio depending on your skin type, which, overall I found to be a faff and difficult to get right.

After a few trial and errors, some which resulted in me using far too much, leaving my skin looking slimy, I managed to get the right amount of capsules to gel formula that did sink beautifully into my skin, leaving it fairly hydrated and the perfect canvas for either my sunscreen or makeup.

Verdict

Despite having slightly mixed thoughts on the formulas, I had to admit that my skin did have a little bit of a healthy glow after my week-long trial. After taking a selfie in the sun recently, I was surprised to find my complexion looked a lot smoother and, dare I say it, a touch healthier.

So, I am pleased to confirm that you can still achieve that coveted mirror-like glaze without spending an arm and a leg. That being said, personally, I am not sure if I was overly keen on some of the formulas, which were either quite sticky, or just a bit of a hassle, and I think I would feel the same way if I used the pricier branded alternatives.

Considering my mixed emotions, I would always advise any skincare buff to give it as try themselves, as they might find that it works much better for them. With prices costing less than £4, it’s an affordable alternative for those who want to trial out the Korean skincare trend without breaking the bank.