What Is PDRN? The Salmon Ingredient Behind K-Beauty's Glow

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Wild salmon swimming upstream in a clear river in British Columbia

Ingredient Spotlight

From the river to your routine

What Is PDRN?

PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide, a purified ingredient made from fragments of DNA. Most PDRN comes from salmon and trout, the same fish that swim thousands of kilometres back up cold northern rivers every autumn. Korean dermatology clinics have worked with salmon PDRN for years, which is why you may have heard it called the "salmon ingredient." Today it has moved from the clinic into everyday K-beauty: serums, creams, toners and masks you can use at home.

In skincare, PDRN is valued for helping skin stay hydrated, supporting a healthy-looking skin barrier, and giving the complexion a smoother, bouncier, more radiant look over time.

Salmon leaping up a waterfall in Port Hope, Ontario

Nature's Toughest Traveller

Salmon are built for resilience. They leave the ocean, fight their way upstream against strong currents and waterfalls, and return to the river where they were born. That strength and vitality is what first drew researchers to salmon as a source of PDRN.

The ingredient used in skincare is highly purified and refined, so you get the benefits without any trace of the fish. No fishy smell, just a light, comfortable texture.

Plant PDRN: A Botanical Alternative

Newer formulas also use plant-derived PDRN, sometimes called phyto-PDRN, extracted from botanicals such as rose, centella asiatica and ginseng. It is a good option if you prefer to avoid animal-derived ingredients. You will find it in products like the MEDIHEAL Rose PDRN Essential Mask and numbuzin No.2 Rose PDRN Collagen Serum.

Check each product's ingredient list to see which type of PDRN it contains.

Close-up of a pink rose, a source of plant-derived PDRN

Why K-Beauty Loves PDRN

Deep, lasting hydration

Helps skin hold on to moisture, so it feels plump and comfortable all day, even through dry Canadian winters.

Barrier support

Supports a healthy-looking skin barrier and helps calm skin that feels stressed, tight or sensitized.

Smooth, glowing look

With regular use, skin looks smoother, bouncier and more even, with that healthy K-beauty glow.

How to Add PDRN to Your Routine

  • After cleansing: start with a PDRN toner or toner pad to prep and hydrate.
  • Serum or ampoule: this is where PDRN works best. Apply a few drops and press gently into the skin, morning and night.
  • Moisturizer: seal it in with a PDRN cream for extra comfort and bounce.
  • Weekly boost: add a PDRN sheet mask or hydrogel mask 2 to 3 times a week, or eye patches before a big day.

PDRN pairs well with hyaluronic acid, peptides, centella and niacinamide. In the morning, always finish with sunscreen. New to a product? Patch test first, and visit any of our boutiques if you'd like help choosing.

Our Best-Selling PDRN Products

The PDRN picks our customers come back for, in store and online.

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PDRN FAQ

Does PDRN skincare smell like fish?
No. The PDRN used in skincare is highly purified, so there is no fishy scent.

Is PDRN suitable for sensitive skin?
PDRN is generally well tolerated and is often paired with soothing ingredients like centella. As with any new product, patch test first.

Is PDRN vegan?
Salmon PDRN is animal-derived. If you prefer a plant-based option, look for phyto-PDRN from rose, centella or other botanicals.

Is PDRN skincare the same as a clinic treatment?
No. Clinic treatments are performed by professionals. PDRN skincare is a gentle, at-home way to bring the same ingredient into your daily routine.

Photos: Murphy Zheng, Brandon (greener_30) and Paul Zoetemeijer on Unsplash.

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