PDRN in Skincare: What Salmon DNA Really Does, and How to Choose a PDRN Cream or Mask
"PDRN is the ingredient of the moment in Seoul: in clinics as a skin-booster injection, and now on every shelf as creams, serums, toners and masks. The marketing promises 'DNA-level repair'. The reality is more modest and still genuinely useful. I read the ingredient list of every PDRN product we stock, then used the most interesting ones for four weeks. Here is what PDRN is, what a cream can and can't do compared with a clinic treatment, and which product fits which skin."
The short answer: what PDRN does in skincare
PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is made of DNA fragments, usually extracted from salmon or trout; on ingredient lists it typically appears as sodium DNA. In Korean clinics, salmon-DNA ingredients are injected as skin boosters, and much of the research on PDRN's regenerative effects comes from that medical use. In a cream, PDRN works on the skin's surface: products built around it focus on hydration, soothing and barrier support, and many people find skin looks calmer, plumper and more resilient with regular use. Think of it as a gentle, recovery-focused ingredient, not a topical version of a clinic treatment.
Salmon PDRN
DNA fragments from fish, listed as sodium DNA. The original and most common form in Korean skincare.
Plant "PDRN"
Some brands use DNA-based ingredients from plants such as ginseng and call them phyto or vegan PDRN. Related idea, different source.
Cream vs clinic
Injected skin boosters reach deeper layers; topical products work on the surface. Different tools with different expectations.
How I tested. Ingredient lists first, to confirm where sodium DNA appears and what else does the work in each formula. Then four weeks of use on my dry, reactive skin, two creams at a time split across the face, and the masks once a week. I've noted where a product's other ingredients, rather than PDRN, are likely doing most of the visible work.
"My skin is dry, stressed and slow to recover from anything I put on it."
PDRN Creams for a Stressed Barrier: Dr. Reju-All vs Dr. Althea Reju 5000
These are the two richest, most recovery-focused PDRN creams we stock, both fragrance-free and built for dry, sensitive skin. Reju-All is the more nourishing; Dr. Althea is lighter and leans on ceramides and panthenol for calm.
Dr. Reju-All REJUALL Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Cream
Sodium DNA sits in the middle of the ingredient list, supported by peptides, ceramides and hydrolysed collagen for a cream that nourishes and cushions. It's the most comforting of the PDRN creams on very dry, tight skin; on my cheeks it removed the morning tightness within the first week. Available in 20ml and 60ml. Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, dermatologically-tested and pregnancy-friendly.
Best for: normal, dry and sensitive skin; skin recovering from actives, treatments or winter; night use.Less suited to: oily or acne-prone skin; choose a gel texture instead.
Editor’s tip: Start with the 20ml size to see how your skin likes it, and warm the cream between your palms before pressing it in.
Shop The Reju-All Cream
Dr. Althea PDRN Reju 5000 Cream (20g)
Sodium DNA sits alongside barrier-supporting ceramides, soothing panthenol and a ferment, in a fragrance-free formula designed for reactive skin. It absorbs faster than Reju-All and calmed the redness around my nose noticeably over four weeks. Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, dermatologically-tested, pregnancy-friendly and made with clean ingredients.
Best for: sensitive, dry and normal skin; redness; daily use morning and night.Less suited to: very dry skin in deep winter that wants a richer texture.
Editor’s tip: On irritated patches, apply a slightly thicker layer at night as a short-contact mask.
Shop The Reju 5000 Cream"I want the glow everyone talks about, but without a heavy cream."
Lightweight PDRN Creams: ANUA PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 vs VT PDRN Capsule Cream 100
Two lighter, everyday PDRN creams for a dewy finish under makeup. The difference is the source: Anua uses salmon PDRN, VT uses a plant-based "phyto PDRN" from Korean wild ginseng, which makes it the choice for vegan routines.
ANUA PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream (60ml)
Sodium DNA sits high on this ingredient list, alongside hydrolysed collagen, multiple hyaluronic acids, niacinamide, squalane and madecassoside. The hydration here is the most immediately visible of all the PDRN creams: plump, glassy skin within a few days, and no pilling under sunscreen. Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, dermatologically-tested, pregnancy-friendly and made with clean ingredients.
Best for: dry, combination and normal skin; dehydration; a dewy finish under makeup.Less suited to: vegan routines; very oily skin in summer.
Editor’s tip: A pea-sized amount is enough; it spreads further than it looks.
Shop The Anua PDRN Cream
VT Cosmetics PDRN Capsule Cream 100 (50ml)
Visible capsules melt as you spread the gel, releasing phyto PDRN alongside a peptide complex, multiple hyaluronic acids, ceramides, squalane and panthenol. It is the lightest texture here and the best for combination skin, with a fresh, glowy finish. Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, pregnancy-friendly and made with clean ingredients.
Best for: dry, sensitive and normal skin that dislikes heavy creams; anyone avoiding fish-derived ingredients.Less suited to: anyone specifically wanting salmon PDRN; very dry winter skin on its own.
Editor’s tip: Use the spatula and massage gently so every capsule melts before you pat it in.
Shop The VT PDRN Cream"I want a PDRN treat once a week, not another daily step."
PDRN Masks: Medicube Pink Collagen Gel Mask vs Abib PDRN Lip Mask
Masks are the easiest way to try PDRN without changing your routine: a hydrogel for the face before a big day, and an overnight jelly for the lips, the thinnest skin on the face.
Medicube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask
Unlike a fabric sheet, the hydrogel holds its essence against the skin without drying out, and stays cool. Twenty minutes left my skin visibly plumper and calmer for the evening. Alcohol-free, dermatologically-tested, pregnancy-friendly and made with clean ingredients.
Best for: dry, normal, combination and sensitive skin; dullness; the night before an event.Less suited to: anyone wanting a daily step; use it once or twice a week.
Editor’s tip: Apply the lower half first for a better fit, and chill it in the fridge for extra de-puffing.
Shop The PDRN Gel Mask
Abib PDRN Collagen Lip Mask Glazed Jelly (11g)
Lips have no oil glands, which is why they crack first in cold, dry air. This jelly combines PDRN and collagen with centella, vitamin E and rice bran oil to cushion and seal them overnight, then works as a glossy balm by day. Alcohol-free, dermatologically-tested, pregnancy-friendly and made with clean ingredients.
Best for: dry, chapped lips; winter; anyone who wants a gloss that also cares.Less suited to: anyone who dislikes a glossy finish during the day.
Editor’s tip: Apply a thick layer as the very last step at night and wipe off the excess in the morning.
Shop The PDRN Lip Mask"There are so many PDRN products. Which one is mine?"
Every PDRN Product We Stock, Compared
| Product | Step | PDRN source | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis-Y Triple PDRN Gel Toner | Toner | Not specified | Dry, normal, combination | Contains retinal; not for pregnancy |
| Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum | Serum | Salmon | Loss of firmness | Five peptides; pregnancy-friendly |
| Dr. Reju-All PDRN Cream | Cream | Salmon | Dry, stressed skin | Richest texture |
| Dr. Althea PDRN Reju 5000 | Cream | Not specified | Sensitive, red skin | Ceramides and panthenol |
| ANUA PDRN HA 100 Cream | Cream | Salmon | Dehydration, dewy finish | Ten hyaluronic acids |
| VT PDRN Capsule Cream 100 | Cream | Plant (ginseng) | Combination; fish-free routines | Lightest gel texture |
| Medicube PDRN Gel Mask | Mask | Salmon | Weekly glow | Cooling hydrogel |
| Biodance Caviar PDRN Mask | Overnight mask | Not specified | Mature, dry skin | Wear 3–4 hours or overnight |
| Abib PDRN Lip Mask | Lips | Not specified | Dry, chapped lips | Doubles as gloss |
"Not specified" means the brand doesn't state the PDRN source on our product information. PDRN for the eye area is covered in our guide to peptides, which compares the Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Eye Cream with other peptide eye creams.
Your PDRN Questions, Answered
What it is, how it compares with injections, and whether it suits you.
What is PDRN in skincare?
PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, is a mix of DNA fragments, usually from salmon or trout, listed on ingredient labels as sodium DNA. In skincare it is used for hydration, soothing and barrier support, and is popular in Korea for skin that looks tired or stressed.
Is a PDRN cream the same as a salmon-DNA injection?
No. Clinic skin boosters are injected into deeper layers of the skin, and most research on PDRN's regenerative effects comes from that medical use. A cream works on the surface, so expect better hydration and calmer, more resilient-looking skin rather than injection-level results.
Is PDRN vegan?
Classic PDRN comes from fish, so it isn't vegan. Some brands use plant-derived DNA ingredients, for example from ginseng, often called phyto or vegan PDRN; the VT PDRN Capsule Cream 100 is our pick for fish-free routines.
Can I use PDRN during pregnancy?
Most PDRN creams and masks we stock carry our Pregnancy-Friendly highlight. Check each product, though: the Axis-Y Triple PDRN Gel Toner contains retinal, and PDRN eye creams with retinol are not suitable. Always confirm your routine with your doctor.
Can I combine PDRN with retinol or vitamin C?
Yes. PDRN is gentle and pairs well with most actives; a PDRN cream is a good buffer in a retinol routine. Introduce one new product at a time.
Explore Korean PDRN skincare
Creams, masks and serums built around PDRN, each with its full ingredient list on the product page. 100% authentic, delivered from our hubs in Switzerland and the EU to your door anywhere in Europe.
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