19 May PDRN Skincare: Benefits, Evidence and Popular Serums

PDRN Skincare: Benefits, Popular Serums and What the Evidence Shows

By Dr Rachel Ho | Updated October 2026

PDRN skin boosters have been one of the most popular treatments in aesthetic clinics in Singapore and Korea since 2014. With K-beauty’s trend of transforming in-clinic treatments into home care, it was of no surprise that PDRN made its way into skincare and became an international hit. But before you add another viral PDRN serum to your cart, let’s unpack the actual molecular science behind PDRN and the benefits and limitations of PDRN skincare.

What is PDRN?

PDRN is an abbreviation for polydeoxyribonucleotides, which are fragments of DNA, originally obtained from salmon sperm. Besides the original salmon source of PDRN, PDRN in skincare has also been obtained from vegan sources like sea grapes, lactobacillus, ginseng, green tea and roses.

PDRN is thought to work by A2A receptor signalling and DNA salvage pathways

PDRN in dermatology: how does it work?

PDRN is proposed to support skin repair through adenosine A2A receptor signalling and the DNAsalvage pathway, which recycles nucleotides during DNA synthesis^1,2. Laboratory and animal studies demonstrate increased fibroblast and keratinocyte activity, collagen production, angiogenesis and wound closure, together with reduced inflammatory signalling for wound healing^1,2,3,4. The mechanisms of PDRN have already been discussed in greater detail in PDRN Skin Boosters: What You Should Know Before Getting It.

Newer PDRN sources from vegan or botanical sources (aka phyto-PDRN) like plants and microorganisms have emerged as an alternative to animal sources of PDRN^3,4,5. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to equate the mechanisms or benefits of phyto-PDRN with salmon or trout PDRN^3,4,5. For an indepth look at phyto-PDRN please read Is Vegan or Plant PDRN as effective as Salmon PDRN?

PDRN versus PN: What are the differences?

PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotides; PN stands for polynucleotides⁶. PDRN and PN are often used interchangeably in beauty marketing^6,10. Although both PDRN and PN refer to DNA fragments, they are not the same at all. Generally, PDRN refers to shorter or medium length DNA fragments, while PN usually refers to longer chains with greater viscosity and different structural behaviour⁶.  Most skincare products often label their products as containing PDRN when these products are morely a mixture of PN, PDRN or another related DNA polymer.

Does topical PDRN skincare work?

The bulk of studies on PDRN involved PDRN delivery into the skin through microinjections or with fractional lasers. Studies on PDRN skincare applied to an intact skin barrier, like in daily administration, however are a lot more limited^7,20.

Nonetheless, there was a 2026 randomised, double blind, split face study that involved 31 Chinese women aged 35 to 55⁷. Participants applied a 0.1% medium length salmon PDRN eye cream to one side and an identical 0.1% retinol cream to the other twice daily for 28 days⁷. Subjects had roughly twice the improvement in several periocular wrinkles, dermal thickness, density and eye bag measurements on the sides of their face using the PDRN cream compared to retinol. Raman imaging and skin models also detected PDRN associated signals within viable epidermal regions, with porcine skin experiments showing deeper time dependent distribution⁷. Although these findings were encouraging for PDRN eye cream, it was conducted over a relatively short duration and the study does not establish that PDRN is superior to retinoids for long term photoageing^7,8.

Popular PDRN skincare products in 2026.

Popular PDRN serums in 2026 compared

PDRN serums differ in their DNA ingredients and supporting actives^12,15,18. Below is a comparison of popular PDRN serums in 2026

Popular PDRN skincare 2026

PDRN skincare versus injectable PDRN or PN skinboosters

For PDRN skincare to be effective in initiating skin repair through its proposed mechanisms, PDRN must first cross the stratum corneum to reach the dermis. PDRN skin boosters like Rejuran Healer overcome this barrier directly; and allow for a precise distribution within the dermis. In my practice, I administer PDRN skin boosters from trout or salmon via manual micro injection and injector devices. For a more in-depth read of PDRN treatments in my clinic, please see The Skin Longevity Clinic’s guide to PDRN Skin Boosters in Singapore.

Topical PDRN serums are not the same as injectable PDRN skin booosters

In daily situations, PDRN skincare is applied to intact skin^13,14,18. The stratum corneum is an effective barrier against high molecular weight molecules like PDRN^7,19. A review on transdermal absorption found that intact skin allows minimal penetration of large, hydrophilic molecules like DNA or RNA polymers unless combined with penetration enhancers or mechanical methods (e.g., microneedling, lasers)¹⁹. A 2025 review emphasised that despite the wide application of polynucleotide skincare, there was a lack of standardised studies specifically validating topical efficacy on intact skin. Given the differences in formulation and administration, it would not be apt to assume that the benefits of PDRN skincare are the same as PDRN skin boosters^7,9,19.

 

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My take on Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

How to use PDRN skincare

Nonetheless, if you’d still like to try PDRN serums, I’d recommend using it after after cleansing and before moisturiser, once or twice daily according to the specific product instructions^13,14,18.

PDRN can be layered with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and peptides^13,14,18. Formulas containing retinol, acids or spicules should be used with caution as they may cause irritation to the skin^22,23,24.

Related blogposts:

How to Layer Skincare Products in the Correct Order

Niacinamide for Skin: Benefits, Side Effects and How to Use It

Everything You Need to Know About Hyaluronic Acid

Peptides for Skin: Benefits, Types and Serum Guide

Note that cosmetic PDRN serum and skincare should never be injected or used with home microneedling or used on wounds because serums or cosmetics are not manufactured as sterile medical devices.

Side effects and who should avoid PDRN skincare

PDRN skincare is generally well tolerated, although they may cause stinging, redness, itching, breakouts or contact dermatitis because of the complete formulation. If you have any active eczema, infection, broken skin and a recently damaged barrier- please hold off using PDRN. If you’d like to learn more about your skin barrier, please refer to How to Repair Your Skin Barrier.

If you have a severe fish allergy, you should check whether the source of PDRN in your skincare is marine derived and discuss the uncertainty with a doctor²⁰. Purification reduces residual proteins, but direct cosmetic safety data involving fish allergic users remain limited^2,7,20.

Safety of PDRN skincare during pregnancy and breastfeeding is unclear as studies are limited^7,20. Nonetheless, I always advise my patients to read the full ingredient list of their skincare due to the presence of other ingredients such as retinoids^15,21. For a guide to skincare to avoid and ones you can use during pregnancy, please refer to my pregnancy skincare safety guide.

Which PDRN skincare claims are overhyped?

Although PDRN skincare have been marketed to be equivalents to in-clinic PDRN skin booster treatments, PDRN serums and skincare cannot be assumed to perform similarly due to the differences in formulation, administration and lack of evidence^7,9,17. Although PDRN skin boosters are used to treat depressed acne scars, enlarged pores, hydrate the skin and reduce fine wrinkles, these same structural concerns are very unlikely to be addressed by PDRN skincare alone.

 

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My take on 2 trending Korean pharmacy PDRN creams Rejuall VS Rejuvenex

Dr Rachel Ho’s takeaway on PDRN skincare

PDRN injections have credible regenerative biology and a long history in wound research^1,2,11. However, evidence for topical PDRN skincare is still less robust than injectable PDRN treatments^7,9,20. With the challenges face by topical PDRN serums on an intact skin barrier such as the large molecular size of PDRN, it would be a leap of logic to assume that PDRN skincare can produce the same results as PDRN skin boosters^7,9,19. Similarly, the evidence for PDRN skincare in dermatology is less robust compared to established active ingredients like sunscreen and retinoids^7,8,25

I’ve tried PDRN serums, including the viral Rejuall and Rejuvenex creams from Korea and shared my review in Rejuall VS Rejuvenex PDRN Creams Review. Although both PDRN creams did not address enlarged pores and signs of ageing for me (as expected), I found them both to be well performing calming, moisturisers. But given the wide range of quality and economical moisturisers available, I doubt I’ll be repurchasing these creams again.

About Dr Rachel Ho
Dr Rachel Ho is an aesthetic doctor in Singapore and founder of The Skin Longevity Clinic, with more than 16 years of clinical experience. She graduated with an MBBS from the National University of Singapore and holds a Master of Medicine. Her approach to aesthetic care centres on skin health, facial ageing and personalised treatment, with skin longevity guiding her recommendations.
In this article, she examines the research and ingredient disclosures behind PDRN skincare. She also draws on her personal experience with Rejuall and Rejuvenex creams, keeping those observations separate from clinical study findings.

Read Dr Rachel Ho’s professional background
Learn about her clinical approach

References

1. Galeano M, Pallio G, Irrera N, et al. Polydeoxyribonucleotide: A Promising Biological Platform to Accelerate Impaired Skin Wound Healing. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(11):1103. doi:10.3390/ph14111103. PMID:34832885.
2. Squadrito F, Bitto A, Irrera N, Pizzino G, Pallio G, Minutoli L, Altavilla D. Pharmacological Activity and Clinical Use of PDRN. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2017;8:224. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00224. PMID:28491036.
3. Park JM, Nam GB, Lee ES, et al. Effects of Chlorella protothecoides-derived polydeoxyribonucleotides on skin regeneration and wound healing. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2025;317:483. doi:10.1007/s00403-025-03885-w. PMID:39994014.
4. Kim E, Choi S, Kim SY, et al. Wound healing effect of polydeoxyribonucleotide derived from Hibiscus sabdariffa callus via Nrf2 signaling in human keratinocytes. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2024;728:150335. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150335. PMID:38996695.
5. Chae D, Oh SW, Choi YS, Kang DJ, Park CW, Lee J, Seo WS. First Report on Microbial-Derived Polydeoxyribonucleotide: A Sustainable and Enhanced Alternative to Salmon-Based Polydeoxyribonucleotide. Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 2025;47(1):41. doi:10.3390/cimb47010041. PMID:39852156.
6. Marques C, Porcello A, Cerrano M, et al. From Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) to Polynucleotides (PNs): Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Definitions, Molecular Insights, and Clinical Applications of Multifunctional Biomolecules. Biomolecules. 2025;15(1):148. doi:10.3390/biom15010148. PMID:39858543.
7. Ye R, Wang Q, Du L, Li L, Hu F. Topical medium-length PDRN enhances dermal extracellular matrix repair in photodamaged skin via PI3K–Akt/TGF-β–regulated pathways. PLOS One. 2026;21(7):e0350905. Published 10 July 2026. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0350905.
8. Kafi R, Kwak HSR, Schumacher WE, et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Archives of Dermatology. 2007;143(5):606–612. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.5.606. PMID:17515510.
9. Lampridou S, Bassett S, Cavallini M, Christopoulos G. The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2025;24(2):e16721. doi:10.1111/jocd.16721. PMID:39645667.
10. Lee KWA, Chan KWL, Lee A, et al. Polynucleotides in Aesthetic Medicine: A Review of Current Practices and Perceived Effectiveness. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024;25(15):8224. doi:10.3390/ijms25158224. PMID:39125793.
11. Colangelo MT, Galli C, Guizzardi S. The effects of polydeoxyribonucleotide on wound healing and tissue regeneration: a systematic review of the literature. Regenerative Medicine. 2020;15(6):1801–1821. doi:10.2217/rme-2019-0118. PMID:32757710.
12. Medicube. PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, salmon formulation. Manufacturer product information and full ingredient list. Accessed 15 October 2026. The linked page contains both salmon and rose variants; this reference concerns the salmon list.
13. Anua. PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum. Manufacturer product information, ingredient list and directions. Accessed 15 October 2026.
14. Rejuran Cosmetics. Dual Effect Ampoule. Manufacturer product information, disclosed 5,000 ppm cPDRN, ingredient list and directions. Accessed 15 October 2026.
15. Innisfree. Retinol Green Tea PDRN Firming Serum. Manufacturer description of 56% Green Tea PDRN complex and 1% Triple Retinol Complex, ingredient list and directions. Accessed 15 October 2026. These are complex percentages.
16. Genabelle. PDRN 3% Hyper Boost Ampoule. Manufacturer ingredient list disclosing sodium DNA at 30,000 ppm. Accessed 15 October 2026.
17. IOPE. XMD Stem III Clinical Recovery Serum. Official international product information and ingredient list; official homepage disclosure of 92.3% PDRN HA Liposome Complex. Manufacturer material, including its comparative marketing claim, rather than independent verification of equivalence to injections. Accessed 15 October 2026.
18. Medik8. Exo-PDRN Prismatic+. Manufacturer product description, ingredient list and usage guidance, including its exosome complex. Accessed 15 October 2026.
19. Prausnitz MR, Langer R. Transdermal drug delivery. Nature Biotechnology. 2008;26(11):1261–1268. doi:10.1038/nbt.1504. PMID:18997767.
20. Arora G. Polynucleotides and polydeoxyribonucleotides in dermatology – A narrative review. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2026;19(1):17–28. First published online 17 June 2025. doi:10.25259/JCAS_65_2025.
21. European Medicines Agency. Updated measures for pregnancy prevention during retinoid use. 23 March 2018. Accessed 15 October 2026.
22. American Academy of Dermatology. Retinoid or retinol? Updated 25 May 2021. Accessed 15 October 2026.
23. US Food and Drug Administration. Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Cosmetic ingredient information and reported adverse reactions. Accessed 15 October 2026.
24. Ha JM, Lim CA, Han K, et al. The Effect of Micro-Spicule Containing Epidermal Growth Factor on Periocular Wrinkles. Annals of Dermatology. 2017;29(2):187–193. doi:10.5021/ad.2017.29.2.187. PMID:28392646.
25. Hughes MCB, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2013;158(11):781–790. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002. PMID:23732711.