Published
03rd Nov 2026
PDRN is gaining attention in professional skincare, but can topical formulations deliver the benefits associated with injectable treatments? We examine the science, potential skin benefits and what therapists need to know before incorporating PDRN into treatment protocols
Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is a DNA-derived ingredient gaining popularity in Korean skincare, with growing interest in its potential to support skin repair, hydration and barrier function. Traditionally associated with medical applications and injectable aesthetic treatments, PDRN is now appearing in professional facial protocols, serums and creams.
But can topical PDRN deliver the same benefits as injectable treatments? And what does the scientific evidence actually show?
For beauty therapists and advanced skin practitioners, understanding the difference between promising laboratory findings, clinical evidence and manufacturers’ claims is essential when deciding whether PDRN deserves a place in professional treatments and homecare recommendations.
PDRN skincare: key facts
- What is PDRN? A collection of DNA fragments traditionally derived from salmon or trout, investigated for their potential role in tissue repair and skin regeneration.
- What are its potential benefits? Early research suggests possible applications in skin repair, elasticity, barrier function and visible signs of ageing, although evidence for topical products remains limited.
- Is PDRN the same as injectable polynucleotides? Not necessarily. PN and PDRN formulations can differ in fragment size, processing and delivery, and the terminology is not always used consistently.
- Can PDRN be used in professional treatments? Certain formulations are marketed for professional facials and specialist protocols, but suitability depends on the specific product, treatment and manufacturer instructions.
- Does topical PDRN work? Some formulation-specific human research is promising, but results cannot be generalised to every PDRN serum or cream.
What is PDRN in skincare?
PDRN consists of fragments of DNA, traditionally purified from salmon or trout reproductive tissue. These fragments have been associated with biological processes involved in tissue repair, cellular activity and inflammation regulation.
Research suggests PDRN may influence the adenosine A2A receptor, which helps regulate inflammatory responses and tissue repair. It may also support cellular activity through the nucleotide salvage pathway, which allows cells to reuse components needed to produce DNA.
Much of the scientific interest originally came from wound-healing research. A 2014 randomised, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism investigated PDRN in 216 patients with difficult-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers.
After eight weeks, complete healing occurred in 37.3% of patients receiving PDRN, compared with 18.9% receiving placebo.
Crucially, however, the treatment was administered through intramuscular and local injections, not ordinary cosmetic application. These findings support PDRN’s potential within tissue repair but cannot automatically be applied to topical skincare.
Why is PDRN so popular in Korean skincare?
PDRN’s popularity can be traced to South Korea, where regenerative skin treatments and ongoing skin maintenance have long occupied prominent positions.
“PDRN first gained traction in Korea through the medical aesthetics and dermatology clinic space in the mid-2010s, particularly via injectable skin-booster treatments such as Rejuran,” explains Poppy Smith from Pureseoul, a UK-based specialist retailer of Korean skincare.
Rejuran, developed by South Korean pharmaceutical company PharmaResearch, helped popularise salmon-derived polynucleotide treatments among consumers seeking improvements in skin quality rather than dramatic changes to facial shape.
As medical treatments gained recognition, Korean skincare manufacturers began incorporating PDRN into creams, ampoules and serums, bringing a clinic-associated ingredient into homecare.
“Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in skin longevity, barrier health and low-irritation skincare,” says Smith. “At the same time, the crossover between aesthetics and retail beauty has grown, with more consumers seeking clinic-inspired ingredients for at-home use.”
Dr Michael Kim, chief medical officer and executive managing director of medical strategy at PharmaResearch, believes this reflects a broader shift towards prevention and maintenance.
“It’s not just about treating the signs of ageing or the symptoms we see, but moving into prevention and thinking about the skin’s healthy function, resilience and appearance,” he says.
This interest also reflects the wider movement towards regenerative medicine and preventative aesthetic treatments, as clients increasingly seek improvements in skin quality and resilience.
However, maintaining skin health should not be confused with encouraging increasingly young clients to pursue unnecessary corrective treatments. For therapists, the most relevant lesson is the value of consistent, age-appropriate skincare, barrier protection and professional assessment.
PDRN vs polynucleotides: what’s the difference?
PDRN and polynucleotides (PN) are frequently used interchangeably within beauty marketing, but the terminology requires care.
Within PharmaResearch’s portfolio, injectable PN is described as comprising longer, higher-molecular-weight DNA fragments, while its cosmetic PDRN uses shorter fragments.
“PDRN is a shorter fragment, and this is what is in the cosmeceuticals,” explains Kim. “It needs to be shorter for better absorption.”
Hongyeol Jeon, vice-president and head of development at PharmaResearch, says the company further controls the fragment range of the cosmetic PDRN it uses.
However, this is a description of PharmaResearch’s own materials and should not be assumed to apply to every product marketed as PN or PDRN.
Definitions, molecular weights, sources and processing methods can vary between manufacturers. Therapists should therefore look beyond an ingredient name and ask for product-specific information and supporting evidence.
How do topical PDRN and injectable PN treatments compare?
Topical PDRN skincare
Injectable PN treatments
Delivery
Applied to the skin surface
Injected into skin tissue
Formulations
Serums, creams and professional concentrates
Injectable medical or aesthetic products
Main challenge
Skin penetration and demonstrating clinical efficacy
Injection-related risks, appropriate training and regulation
Evidence
Emerging, formulation-specific human research
Separate clinical evidence base, varying by product and indication
Professional considerations
Formulation, intended use, aftercare and compatibility
Qualified practitioner, clinical assessment and relevant legal requirements
These distinctions describe broad product categories rather than universal chemical definitions. The terminology and characteristics of PN and PDRN vary between manufacturers.
Does topical PDRN actually work?
One of the biggest questions surrounding PDRN skincare is whether DNA fragments can penetrate the skin sufficiently to produce meaningful biological effects.
Traditional PDRN comprises relatively large, negatively charged DNA fragments, making penetration through the protective stratum corneum difficult.
This presents a challenge for products promising effects within the deeper skin, where fibroblasts produce collagen and elastin.
“Traditionally, PDRN has been associated with injectable treatments, so naturally there are questions around how well it can perform when applied topically. This is where the formulation and delivery method become important,” says Amy Holland-Rathmill, head of sales at Million Dollar Facial.
Manufacturers are investigating several approaches, including smaller DNA fragments, alternative molecular structures and delivery technologies intended to improve penetration.
Simone Shoffman, education and clinical director at Healthxchange, describes one approach involving DNA chains folded into a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure, intended to reduce some of the limitations associated with conventional PDRN.
However, a formulation’s theoretical ability to penetrate the skin is not the same as demonstrating meaningful clinical results.
What does the research say about topical PDRN?
A 2026 study published in PLOS One examined a medium-length PDRN preparation using laboratory and skin models alongside a 28-day randomised, double-blind, split-face trial comparing a PDRN eye cream with retinol.
The clinical trial involved 31 women aged 35–55 and compared a formulation containing 0.1% PDRN-850K with a 0.1% retinol eye cream.
The findings suggested improvements in periocular wrinkles and skin measurements, alongside evidence of PDRN-associated material reaching viable epidermal layers.
However, the study examined one particular formulation over a relatively short period. Detecting PDRN-associated material within the skin does not necessarily establish the extent of its biological activity, nor does it demonstrate that all topical PDRN products penetrate or perform similarly.
Further independent human research is needed to determine which formulations deliver clinically meaningful benefits, at what concentrations and through which delivery methods.
What are the potential benefits of PDRN for skin?
The most promising potential applications for topical PDRN concern skin quality, barrier support and recovery.
For clients experiencing dehydration, dullness, sensitivity or visible signs of ageing, PDRN-containing formulations may offer an additional supportive ingredient within a broader skincare programme.
Potential areas of interest include skin hydration and barrier function, visible fine lines and elasticity, skin texture and recovery following appropriate professional treatments.
However, the strength of evidence varies considerably between these applications.
Research published in Molecules in 2023 investigated PDRN extracted from ginseng roots and its effects on skin regeneration and barrier function.
Researchers observed increased activity in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, alongside improvements in barrier-related markers in laboratory and reconstructed skin models.
Importantly, these findings demonstrate biological activity rather than definitive clinical improvements in human skin. Plant-derived DNA preparations should also not automatically be considered equivalent to conventional fish-derived PDRN.
The distinction matters when evaluating claims concerning collagen stimulation, wrinkle reduction and accelerated recovery.
Similarly, improvements in hydration or skin appearance following the use of a PDRN-containing cream do not necessarily establish that PDRN itself was responsible. Other ingredients within the finished formulation may contribute to the observed results.
How should therapists assess PDRN treatment results?
Assessing subtle improvements in skin quality presents a practical challenge.
Kim notes that changes in “pigmentation, redness, pores, hydration and elasticity” can be difficult to demonstrate through standard photography.
“The trend has already moved to skin quality, but the assessment has not followed,” he says.
Therapists should use consistent photography and consultation records where appropriate, while avoiding claims that cannot be substantiated by the product’s evidence.
Professional skin analysis and monitoring tools may help practitioners assess changes more consistently, although measurements should still be interpreted in the context of the treatment and individual client’s skin.
Can PDRN be used with microneedling?
Professional skincare companies are increasingly positioning PDRN as a complement to treatments intended to improve skin quality, particularly microneedling.
Depending on the formulation and manufacturer-approved protocol, it may be incorporated into recovery-focused facials, applied after certain procedures or delivered using specialist technologies.
Lauren Evans, training and development officer at CACI, explains how its needle-free approach combines ultrasonic atomisation, electro-infusion and LED technology with a plant-derived PDRN formulation.
Other professional systems position PDRN-containing concentrates alongside microneedling or as a post-procedure step.
The commercial opportunity is already visible in UK clinics, with many promoting PDRN microneedling treatments.
However, microneedling itself has established effects on skin remodelling. Improvements following a combined protocol cannot necessarily be attributed to PDRN without controlled comparative studies.
Is PDRN safe to apply during microneedling?
Product suitability is particularly important when the skin barrier is deliberately disrupted.
A cosmetic serum intended for intact skin should never automatically be considered suitable for application through microneedling-created channels.
Sterility, formulation, device compatibility and manufacturer instructions must determine its use. Practitioners should also follow appropriate microneedling safety and best-practice guidance.
Products marketed as PDRN skincare should not be assumed suitable for transdermal delivery simply because the ingredient is associated with injectable aesthetic treatments.
How should therapists recommend PDRN homecare?
PDRN’s role in homecare may prove more accessible than its use in advanced treatment protocols.
“I would position PDRN as part of a wider skin-health routine rather than as a single miracle ingredient,” advises Holland-Rathmill. “Good cleansing, hydration, barrier support and daily SPF should always form the foundation of homecare.”
Kim similarly describes skin longevity as a combination of professional intervention, topical barrier care and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and sun exposure.
For clients undergoing professional treatments, PDRN-containing homecare may complement established barrier-support ingredients such as ceramides, panthenol and hyaluronic acid.
However, therapists should assess the complete formulation and the client’s existing routine rather than recommending PDRN purely because it is a trending ingredient.
Post-procedure application requires particular care. Products suitable for everyday use may not be appropriate immediately after microneedling, chemical peels or laser treatments, when barrier integrity is temporarily compromised.
Therapists should follow treatment-specific aftercare protocols and avoid introducing potentially irritating or non-sterile formulations during early recovery.
Is PDRN suitable for all skin types?
PDRN skincare is marketed towards a broad range of skin types, particularly dehydrated, mature and sensitised skin.
Nevertheless, suitability depends on the complete formulation, not simply the presence of PDRN.
Its traditional fish-derived origins mean allergies and ethical preferences should be considered.
Plant-derived alternatives are emerging, including formulations using ginseng-derived DNA fragments. These should not automatically be considered chemically or clinically interchangeable with conventional salmon-derived PDRN.
Therapists should establish the ingredient’s source, check for known sensitivities and assess whether the complete formulation is appropriate for the client.
Extra caution is warranted during pregnancy and breastfeeding, where product-specific evidence may be limited, and on actively infected or damaged skin unless an appropriately indicated product is being used.
What should therapists look for in a PDRN product?
As more PDRN-containing products enter the professional skincare market, understanding how to assess their claims will become increasingly important.
Before introducing PDRN into a professional treatment or homecare recommendation, therapists should ask suppliers several questions.
- What is the source of the PDRN? Establish whether it is fish-derived, plant-derived or produced using another method, particularly where allergies or ethical preferences may be relevant.
- What is the molecular profile? Ask whether the manufacturer can provide information about fragment size, processing and the characteristics of the material used.
- What evidence supports the finished formulation? Laboratory studies on PDRN as an ingredient do not necessarily demonstrate the performance of a particular serum or cream. Product-specific human research is particularly valuable.
- How is the product intended to be used? Confirm whether it is designed for intact skin, post-treatment application or a specific professional protocol.
- Is it compatible with the treatment being performed? Products should only be used with microneedling or other barrier-disrupting procedures where their suitability is explicitly established.
- What contraindications and aftercare requirements apply? Check the complete formulation, manufacturer guidance and the client’s consultation history.
For therapists, the most important consideration is not simply whether a product contains PDRN, but whether its formulation, evidence and intended use make it appropriate for the individual client.
PDRN skincare FAQs
Is PDRN made from salmon sperm?
Traditional fish-derived PDRN is commonly extracted and purified from salmon or trout reproductive tissue. However, alternative sources, including plant-derived DNA fragments, are also being investigated.
The ingredient’s source and processing method should be confirmed with the manufacturer rather than assumed from the term PDRN alone.
Can PDRN skincare replace polynucleotide injections?
No. Topical PDRN skincare and injectable polynucleotide treatments use different delivery methods and may contain materials with different molecular characteristics.
Evidence supporting injected PN or medical PDRN cannot automatically be applied to cosmetic serums and creams, and topical products should not be marketed as equivalent alternatives without appropriate supporting evidence.
Can PDRN be used after microneedling?
Only where the specific product is suitable for the procedure and its use is supported by manufacturer guidance and an appropriate treatment protocol.
Ordinary cosmetic serums should not be assumed safe for application to compromised skin, particularly immediately after microneedling or other treatments that disrupt the skin barrier.
The verdict: is PDRN worth incorporating into professional skincare?
PDRN is a promising development in professional skincare, particularly as interest grows in skin longevity, barrier health and regenerative ingredients.
However, evidence from injectable treatments and medical wound-healing applications should not be used to substantiate claims about topical cosmetics.
Although emerging human studies suggest that certain PDRN formulations may improve aspects of skin quality, further independent research is needed to establish their effectiveness across different products and delivery systems.
For beauty therapists and advanced skin practitioners, the priority should be choosing appropriately formulated products, examining the evidence behind manufacturers’ claims and incorporating PDRN into individualised treatment and homecare plans where suitable.
Ultimately, PDRN should be judged on what a particular product can demonstrate, rather than the wider excitement surrounding the ingredient.
