What is PDRN? Meet the K-Beauty Skincare Secret Everyone's Talking About

Short for a little something called polydeoxyribonucleotide, PDRN is a DNA fragment originally isolated from salmon and used for wound healing medical research in the 1980s. You might be familiar with PDRN from the viral ‘salmon sperm facials’ (also known as Rejuran® – a treatment that involves injecting the dermis with PDRN to improve skin texture, even tone and support collagen production). 

Having now moved beyond Korean medispas, PDRN is the skincare secret everyone’s talking about. Brands like Glow Recipe has even developed a vegan version of the hero ingredient, with DNA fragments extracted from plants instead of fish. This regenerative complex offers all the same radiant, restorative benefits as its animal-derived counterpart. 

To find out more about PDRN in all its forms, I visited MECCA Bourke Street to chat with Glow Recipe’s co-founder, Christine Chang, as well as Georgia, dermal therapist and clinic manager at MECCA Aesthetica. 

What Is PDRN as a Skincare Ingredient? 

“Traditional PDRN is typically derived from salmon DNA and injected into the skin at the dermis... it's meant to essentially help stimulate the production of collagen and rebuild the skin barrier,” says Chang. “At Glow Recipe, we ensure all our formulas are vegan and cruelty-free. So instead of salmon sperm, we actually made a proprietary PDRN from prickly pear and rice bran extract. Rice bran is so antioxidant-rich, and prickly pear is such a powerhouse healing ingredient.” 

Chang explains that, unlike animal-derived PDRN, vegan PDRN is engineered at a lower molecular weight – meaning better absorption beneath the skin’s surface. “It’s really incredible at soothing redness and irritation,” she tells me. “The other piece is that in terms of concentration, there are 10,000ppm (parts per million) in our PDRN+ Repair + Soothe Toner Pads, meaning you get those immediate results.” 

How Is Rejuran® Different to Topical PDRN? 

Rejuran® is an in-clinic treatment that involves injecting “highly purified concentration of salmon-derived DNA... into the skin over a few treatments, so you get long-term results at that cellular level,” explains Georgia, adding, “MECCA Aesthetica offers an in-clinic treatment with the help of our registered nurses.” 
 
As a dermal therapist, she recommends a “multimodal approach” that combines both Rejuran® and topical PDRN skincare for the best results: “For new clients interested in trying Rejuran®, most will undergo that initial course of treatments, and then they might have a one-off top-up every nine to 12 months. It’s an incredible treatment for brightening dark under-eye circles, especially when combined with an effective topical serum or cream.”

How can I incorporate PDRN into my routine?

Depending on your needs, there are a few ways you can bring this buzzy ingredient into your every day.

If your skin is feeling irritated or red, Glow Recipe's PDRN+ Repair + Soothe Toner Pads provide instant relief. The ultra-thin pads pair vegan PDRN with calming actives to help create a calmer, more resilient complexion. “Just apply the pads to wherever your skin needs soothing, leave on for five to 10 minutes and then move on to the rest of your routine. It’s like a mini facial in a pad!” says Chang.

Lacking hydration? Bounce back with Mario Badescu's skin-plumping, glycerine-rich Advanced Peptide PDRN Jelly Cream. This innovative, jelly-textured moisturiser is naturally pink thanks to its inclusion of Vitamin B12. Its formula harnesses peptides and vegan PDRN to visibly plump and hydrate, while fortifying the skin's moisture barrier.

Rejuran®, meanwhile, requires a consultation and medical guidance to determine if the treatment is right for you.