Quick answer: PDRN, the “salmon DNA” ingredient behind products like Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, has real science behind it, but almost all of that science is for injections, not serums. Standard PDRN molecules are thousands of times too big to soak into intact skin easily, and the first published topical clinical study (on a small plant-based PDRN) only appeared in late 2025. Where brands state the amount, PDRN is just 0.12% to 0.5% of the formula. A PDRN serum can still be a nice hydrating product; just don’t expect clinic results. Our pick: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream, which lists sodium DNA 7th and has no fragrance.
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Part of our K-beauty investigations: see how this compares with 5 other viral products in our Korean skincare scorecard.
Table of Contents
The Verdict: Is a PDRN Serum Worth It?
| If you… | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Want PDRN high on the list, with no fragrance | Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream |
| Want the bestselling PDRN serum | Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum (Salmon DNA) (contains fragrance) |
| Want a stated PDRN percentage | Rejuran Turnover Ampoule (0.5% c-PDRN per listing) |
| Want a fragrance-free PDRN cream with a stated amount | Dr.Reju-All Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Cream (1,200 ppm) |
| Want a quick PDRN mist | Anua PDRN Collagen Glow Facial Serum Spray (2,000 ppm) |
Key Findings
- 0.12% to 0.5%: where brands state the amount, that’s how much PDRN their products contain (1,200 ppm, 2,000 ppm and 0.5%).
- 7th to 30th: where sodium or hydrolyzed DNA sits on the 6 full ingredient lists we checked.
- Medicube’s “Rose PDRN” serum lists sodium DNA 30th of 38 ingredients, after the fragrance. Its salmon version lists it 8th.
- Injections, not serums: the main studies on PDRN look at injections and wound healing. Dermatology Times calls a small late-2025 plant-PDRN study “the first published topical clinical evidence for any form of PDRN.”
- Molecule size: PDRN fragments are 50 to 1,500 kilodaltons. Molecules above about 500 daltons are unlikely to get through intact skin.
What Is PDRN (and Is It Really Salmon Sperm)?
PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide: fragments of DNA, usually extracted from salmon reproductive cells. That’s where the “salmon sperm facial” nickname comes from. Medicube’s salmon serum even lists “milt extract,” and milt is fish sperm.
On ingredient labels, PDRN usually appears as Sodium DNA or Hydrolyzed DNA. Watch for marketing names too: “c-PDRN” is Rejuran’s trademark, and “rose PDRN,” “rice PDRN” or “centella PDRN” usually mean plant extracts, not salmon DNA.
Does PDRN Work on Skin? Injections vs Serums
- Injections: the strongest evidence. A 2021 review in Pharmaceuticals found encouraging results for PDRN in impaired wound healing, working mainly through adenosine A2A receptors. Dermatology Times also points to a 27-person split-face trial where injected Rejuran beat a hyaluronic acid filler on overall improvement at 16 weeks.
- Serums: the size problem. According to Dermatology Times, standard PDRN fragments weigh 50 to 1,500 kilodaltons, while molecules larger than about 500 daltons are unlikely to penetrate intact skin. Most brands don’t disclose molecular weight or delivery data.
- The first topical study. Dermatology Times reports that a small late-2025 study of a low-molecular-weight peony PDRN found improved elasticity around the eyes after 4 weeks. It called the result modest and preliminary, and it doesn’t apply to most salmon PDRN products.
- Regulation. In the US, injectable PDRN is not FDA-approved for cosmetic use. Serums are sold as cosmetics, which don’t need FDA approval before sale.
Our read: a PDRN serum is a hydrating serum with a trendy ingredient. The hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide and peptides around it are probably doing most of the visible work.
The Data: 9 PDRN Products Compared
We checked the store listings for 9 popular PDRN products: where the DNA ingredient sits, whether the brand states an amount, and whether the formula contains fragrance.
| Product | DNA ingredient position | Stated PDRN amount | Fragrance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream | 7th of 48 (sodium DNA) | Not stated | None listed |
| Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum (Salmon DNA) | 8th of 40 (sodium DNA) | Not stated | Yes (20th) |
| Rejuran Turnover Ampoule | 13th of 25 (hydrolyzed DNA) | 0.5% c-PDRN | None listed |
| Rejuran Dual Effect Ampoule | 16th of 40 (hydrolyzed DNA) | Not stated | None listed |
| Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum | 21st (sodium DNA) | Not stated | None listed |
| Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum (Rose PDRN) | 30th of 38 (sodium DNA) | Not stated | Yes (18th) |
| Dr.Reju-All Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Cream | Full list not shown | 1,200 ppm (0.12%) | Listing says fragrance-free |
| Anua PDRN Collagen Glow Facial Serum Spray | Full list not shown | 2,000 ppm (0.2%) | Not shown |
| COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Vitalizing Serum | Full list not shown | Not stated; “5 PDRN” from salmon and 4 non-salmon sources | Not shown |
Ingredients are listed from most to least down to about 1%, so a DNA ingredient in 13th, 20th or 30th place is almost certainly a small amount. That fits the stated amounts of 0.12% to 0.5%.
The “Rose PDRN” Catch
Medicube sells two versions of its bestselling PDRN Pink Peptide Serum. The salmon DNA version lists sodium DNA 8th. The “Rose PDRN” version lists rose extract 29th and sodium DNA 30th, after the fragrance (18th). If salmon PDRN is why you’re buying, check which version you’re getting. COSRX’s “5 PDRN” serum also blends salmon DNA with four non-salmon sources: green caviar (a seaweed), rice, lactobacillus and centella.
Our Picks
Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream: sodium DNA is 7th, the highest of any full list we checked, with squalane, niacinamide and several forms of hyaluronic acid, and no fragrance listed. About 6,500 ratings and a 4.6-star average. Check the current price
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum (Salmon DNA): one of the bestselling facial serums on the site, with about 25,000 ratings and a 4.6-star average. Sodium DNA is 8th, plus niacinamide and peptides. It contains fragrance, so skip it if your skin is sensitive. Check the current price
Rejuran Turnover Ampoule: from the brand behind the Rejuran injection, with a stated 0.5% c-PDRN and no fragrance listed. About 1,300 ratings and a 4.5-star average. Check the current price
Dr.Reju-All Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Cream: states 1,200 ppm of PDRN and says it’s fragrance-free. About 2,400 ratings and a 4.5-star average. Check the current price
Anua PDRN Collagen Glow Facial Serum Spray: a mist with a stated 2,000 ppm PDRN, handy for a quick hydration boost. About 8,300 ratings. Check the current price
How to Use a PDRN Serum
- After cleansing and toner, apply a few drops of serum, or use the cream as your moisturizer.
- Morning or night: follow with sunscreen in the morning. See the Korean sunscreens we checked.
- Patch test first, especially if you have a fish allergy or sensitive skin.
- Thinking about microneedling or injections? Do that with a licensed professional, not at home.
More from our K-beauty investigations: COSRX snail mucin, SK-II Facial Treatment Essence and Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum.
How We Did This
- We read the ingredient lists and claims on the store listings of 9 popular PDRN products and noted where the DNA ingredient sits, any stated amount, and fragrance.
- We read a 2021 scientific review on PDRN and Dermatology Times’ 2026 overview of the evidence for PDRN serums versus injections.
- We checked which products were in stock and who sells them.
- We did not test these products on our own skin. Formulas change, so check the package before you buy.
Use this data: journalists and bloggers are welcome to use the tables. Please credit PrimeDigger and link to this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PDRN in skincare?
PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide, fragments of DNA usually taken from salmon. On ingredient labels it often appears as Sodium DNA or Hydrolyzed DNA. In clinics, PDRN is injected into the skin; in serums and creams, it’s applied on top.
Is PDRN made from salmon sperm?
Often, yes. PDRN is commonly extracted from salmon reproductive cells, which is why it’s nicknamed “salmon sperm” skincare. Medicube’s salmon PDRN serum even lists milt extract, which is fish sperm. Some brands now sell plant-based “PDRN” from rose, rice or other sources, which is a different ingredient.
Does PDRN serum actually work?
The strong evidence for PDRN comes from injections and wound healing, not serums. Standard PDRN molecules are far too large to pass through intact skin easily, and the first published topical clinical study, on a small plant-based PDRN, only appeared in late 2025. Any glow from a PDRN serum likely comes mostly from its hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and niacinamide.
Is a PDRN serum the same as a PDRN injection (like Rejuran)?
No. Injections place PDRN directly into the skin, where studies have measured results. A serum sits on the surface. In the US, injectable PDRN is not FDA-approved for cosmetic use, while PDRN serums are sold as cosmetics.
Can I use PDRN with retinol or vitamin C?
We found no research on combining them. PDRN serums are generally gentle hydrating products, and many people layer them with other actives. Add one new product at a time and patch test, especially if your skin is sensitive.
Is PDRN safe?
PDRN serums are cosmetic products and are generally described as gentle. If you have a fish allergy, check with your doctor first, since most PDRN comes from salmon. Get injections only from a licensed medical provider.
Sources
- Dermatology Times: Social Media Mythbusters, PDRN Serums (July 2026)
- Pharmaceuticals (2021): Polydeoxyribonucleotide, a promising biological platform to accelerate impaired skin wound healing
- Product listings for each PDRN product on the largest US online store, checked October 17, 2026
