As we dug into the research for this story, we wondered: Why salmon? “When PDRN was first gaining traction, its use started with salmon-derived PDRN because they found that salmon sperm shared similarities with DNA found in human placenta,” explains Victoria Fu, cosmetic chemist and cofounder of the podcast Chemist Confessions. To determine if your formula actually contains PDRN, just search its ingredient list for the term “sodium DNA.” “These should all include a version of DNA fragments,” says Fu. “However, the labels don’t tell you where the DNA fragments would be sourced from.”
This is important, because in addition to salmon-derived products, there are now plant-based PDRN creams on the market. Yes, most studies are on salmon-derived DNA fragments, but there are a few proving the efficacy of botanical PDRN too; ginseng-derived PDRN is shown to support skin regeneration and barrier function.
Whether you’re looking for a PDRN serum made with salmon or one that will adhere to vegan beauty standards, read on—we’ve found the best PDRN skin-care products to suit a variety of needs, goals, and preferences.
- Why We Love It: This PDRN serum is made by Rejuran, the same company that produces the most popular in-office iteration of the treatment. It gets its power from a concentrated dose of the salmon-derived active in a very small, absorption-friendly molecule size (1/670th the size of pores). For an added boost, the formula features wrinkle-fighting adenosine and skin-brightening licorice root.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon-derived PDRN, adenosine, licorice root extract
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
- Why We Love It: If you hate the feeling of anything on your skin but want heavy-duty treatment, this PDRN serum is about to become your go-to. Anti-aging mainstay retinol is paired here with green tea–derived PDRN, niacinamide, and Lactobacillus ferment lysate for comprehensive firming, hydrating, and skin-rebalancing benefits in an incredibly fast-absorbing formula. Just be sure to ease into using it if this is your first foray into retinol application! One pump once a night is enough to start.
- Key Ingredients: Green tea–derived PDRN, Lactobacillus ferment lysate, niacinamide
- Size: 0.84 fl. oz.
- Why We Love It: This luxurious Swiss brand has featured salmon-sourced PDRN as its signature ingredient for decades; the new eye cream combines it with silanol, a form of organic silicon that is proven to repair signs of aging, including skin laxity and fine lines. It also has a texture that we can’t get enough of—it’s silky and rich yet lightweight, melting like butter into skin to nourish it without leaving any residue behind.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon-derived PDRN and silanol blend, apple stem cells, liposome RNA
- Size: 0.5 oz.
- Why We Love It: This vegan-sourced PDRN serum boasts a 10% concentration of super-tiny molecules of ginseng-derived DNA fragments that absorb readily into skin, along with niacinamide and multiple ceramides to help amp up your hydration levels. The milky serum also contains plant oils and squalane, which creates a glass skin effect for a serious glow.
- Key Ingredients: Ginseng-derived PDRN, ceramides, niacinamide
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
- Why We Love It: The Barbiecore pink hue of this PDRN serum comes courtesy of its rose-derived active, which also gives the formula a delicate, unobtrusive scent that we love. Even better is the product’s performance—it helps even out uneven texture, whether that’s fine lines, enlarged pores, or even mild acne scars, to leave your skin looking as velvety and fresh as a garden rose.
- Key Ingredients: Rose-derived PDRN, peptides, niacinamide
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
- Why We Love It: The ingredient list of this PDRN cream reads like a who’s who of K-beauty all-stars—beyond salmon-derived PDRN, you’ll find snail mucin and cica, as well as niacinamide, multiple weights of sodium hyaluronate, and several ceramides. The gel-cream’s blend of hardworking ingredients helps skin stay hydrated, nourished, and calm while working to firm and brighten texture and tone.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon-derived PDRN, snail mucin, niacinamide
- Size: 3.7 fl. oz.
- Why We Love It: This best-selling PDRN cream is a must-try for those with easily sensitized skin. The first and most concentrated ingredient in the formula is cica leaf water, providing powerful skin-soothing benefits as soon as you slick it on. Additionally, it offers salmon-sourced PDRN, purslane extract, madecassoside, and several forms of hyaluronic acid, so you can expect this comforting cream to leave your skin soft, smooth, and even.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon-derived PDRN, cica leaf water, sodium hyaluronate
- Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
- Why We Love It: If your skin is prone to flushing and fast to sensitize, give this serum a try—it helps quell redness to leave skin calm and hydrated. Its cooling, watery texture absorbs quickly without any residue, making it an easy addition to a morning routine. Green tea–sourced PDRN and beta-glucan work in tandem to provide lasting hydration, while the caffeine helps calm stressed skin.
- Key Ingredients: Green tea–derived PDRN, caffeine, beta-glucan
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
- Why We Love It: Considering salmon-sourced PDRN offers excellent hydrating properties, it makes sense to pair it with humectant hero hyaluronic acid, which this formula contains at a concentration of 3%. Hydrolyzed collagen supports this duo by fortifying the moisture barrier to prevent water loss, leaving skin plump and plush.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon-derived PDRN, hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
Does PDRN really work?
Yes, PDRN can absolutely provide some impressive benefits, including helping the skin heal, boost collagen, and improve elasticity, says Murdock. The studies we mentioned earlier also show that PDRN can help address hyperpigmentation and prevent skin damage—however, it’s important to remember that most evidence of PDRN’s efficacy was proven using the ingredient as an injectable or as applied topically to broken skin, such as after microneedling or ablative laser.
How long does it take to see the results from PDRN?
According to Park, her patients that get treated with PDRN see changes to their skin immediately after treatment, especially if they’re prone to dryness. “Patients who will typically slather Aquaphor on their skin, but their skin is still so dry—they notice a measurable improvement in just the absorptive quality to their skin after PDRN,” she says, adding that she sees significant improvement to patients’ acne scarring when alternating PDRN treatment with fractional laser.
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