The Science of PDRN: Korean Beauty’s Hottest Ingredient

PDRN is one of the hottest topics in Korean beauty right now. Included in brands such as Anua, Medicube, and COSRX, this ingredient has shown promise as a new anti-aging superpower. However, underneath all the benefits of this new ingredient, one issue arises within consumers: it’s made from salmon sperm?

PDRN stands for PolyDeoxyRiboNucleotide and it is a natural DNA fragment that is used in regenerative medicine. It was first introduced in Italy in the 1980s for wound healing. Doctors saw that injectables resulted in increased healing times, cellular repair, and higher tissue quality. It is derived from salmon sperm because their DNA shares close similarities to human DNA. This allows salmon sperm to easily integrate into human skin and perform beneficial functions.

There are two types of application options for PDRN, injections and topical treatments. Injectables penetrate the skin deeply and provide concentrated amounts of PDRN while topical application requires more formulation to maintain its efficiency. Before PDRN, polynucleotide injections were the main form of aesthetic treatments to produce a more natural-looking result compared to botox and other procedures. However, it requires continuous visits and can be costly. PDRN serves as an at-home and cheaper alternative that is widely available to everyone.

Why exactly is PDRN important? Well, it has a multitude of benefits that covers almost all parts of a skincare routine. For example, it can boost hydrate, promote collagen production, improve skin tone, and brighten hyperpigmentation. Korean skincare expert, Dr Christine Hall states, “When injected, PDRN stimulates fibroblasts, the cells responsible for collagen production and repairing damaged skin. Even in topical form, it’s gaining popularity for its restorative and soothing effects.” Additionally, it is mainly a hydration and rejuvenation ingredient, therefore it is relatively gentle, allowing for widespread use.  

Despite the many benefits, many question the ethics of salmon sperm use. The DNA is extracted from aquaculture facilities, not wild-caught fish, therefore no animals are harmed during the process. The extraction goes through a rigorous process to remove all the proteins, lipids, and allergens, leaving just the polynucleotides. Despite these strict regulations, there are still demands for plant-based alternatives. Some surfacing possibilities include Korean ginseng, rice and green tea. 

Once thought of as a new Korean beauty fad, PDRN has attained global discovery and continues to build traction. Not many consumers would have thought that salmon sperm would be the key to clear skin. However, if coupled with sustainable regulations, PDRN will reach new heights, slowly becoming consumers’ new holy grail product. 

References

Gillette, B. (2025, September 2). What is PDRN skincare, and does it actually have real salmon sperm in it? Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a65911695/pdrn-skincare/

What Is PDRN in Skincare? Benefits, Science & How It Works – The Complete Guide. (2026, March 16). INKEY USA. https://www.theinkeylist.com/blogs/news/what-is-pdrn-in-skincare-benefits-science-how-it-works

What is PDRN skincare? The K-beauty trend that promises glass skin. (2026, February 9). Harper’s BAZAAR. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a70286838/pdrn-skincare-k-beauty-trend/