The salmon-sperm facial isn’t just edgy—the celeb-approved procedure actually delivers on its purported claims of glowier, healthier-looking skin. These professional treatments are powered by the active ingredient PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide. “It’s a fragment of DNA,” says Eunice Park, MD, dual-board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the founder of AIREM in New York. (Not outright sperm, as hype would lead you to believe.)
According to Babak Azizzadeh, MD, board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and the president-elect of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, PDRN’s efficacy has been primarily studied in the context of wound repair. “In clinical and experimental settings, it is believed to work by activating adenosine A2A receptors—helping calm inflammation, stimulate new blood vessel formation, and support the skin’s natural processes of healing and collagen renewal,” he explains. By addressing skin health from within, the ingredient is praised for its ability to heal damaged skin, diminish dark spots, smooth texture, and boost hydration. According to Brian Murdock, general manager, North America, for K-beauty brand Memebox, PDRN’s rejuvenating properties were first researched back in the 1980s, but subsequently became widely used in Korean skincare and dermatology treatments, including injectables.
Vogue’s Favorite PDRN Skin-Care Products
The most common pro-grade treatment you’ll see is Rejuran Healing Essence. This formulation uses PDRN derived from salmon sperm cells that are harvested from the fish as they literally swim into the company’s specially designed facility at the end of mating season. Dr. Park uses this formula in her practice, noting that many practitioners in Korea will administer the product via multiple shallow injections, not unlike Juvéderm’s skin booster SkinVive. Rather than injecting it, Park applies it to the skin after microneedling or lasering. “It’s like a vitamin boost to the skin,” she says.
Given its popularity and performance in clinical practice, it’s not surprising that PDRN has made its way into topical treatments. Dr. Azizzadeh confirms that topical PDRN appears most promising when paired with a delivery method that allows it to reach deeper layers of skin, such as aforementioned microneedling or laser-assisted channels. “Even then, the research is still evolving, and conclusions should be drawn carefully,” he notes.
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 DNA fragments, but there are a few proving the efficacy of botanical PDRN too; for example, 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 serums, creams, masks, and more products to suit a variety of skin types, goals, and preferences.
In This Story:
- Does PDRN really work?
- How long does it take to see the results from PDRN?
- Do topical PDRN products work as well as in-office treatments?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall: Rejuran Turnover Ampoule Anti-Aging Face Serum
- 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). “Realistically, it would be great after in-office treatments such as microneedling or using an at-home microneedling device,” explains Dr. Azizzadeh. “The results tend to appear gradually with consistent use—expect improved moisture, smoother texture, and a healthier glow rather than dramatic tightening or instant wrinkle elimination.” For an added rejuvenating boost, the formula features adenosine and licorice root, which further serve to help smooth wrinkles and illuminate skin.
- Type of PDRN: Salmon-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: 0.5 percent
- Key Ingredients: Adenosine, licorice root extract
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Promotes a glass skin glow without irritation or congestion | Syringe-inspired packaging design can get messy and waste product |
| Rejuran is a leader in the PDRN space |
Best for Sensitive Skin: VT Cosmetics PDRN 100 Essence
- 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. “This serum may be a good option for the sensitive skin community,” says Dr. Azizzadeh. “It’s unscented and designed to soothe irritation with panthenol, while ceramides help strengthen the skin barrier.”
- Type of PDRN: Ginseng-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: 10 percent
- Key Ingredients: Ceramides, niacinamide, panthenol
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Silky textures layers well with other products, including makeup | Requires more product use for full-face application due to dense formula |
Best For Glass Skin: Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Why We Love It: The pink hue of this TikTok-approved PDRN serum comes courtesy of its rose-derived active, which also gives the formula a delicate, unobtrusive scent that we love. Aesthetics aside, 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. For added hydration, you can layer it under the brand’s PDRN Pink Collagen Capsule Cream. Just be aware that while it’s designed to be low irritation, there is one potentially sensitizing ingredient in the mix, says Azizzadeh. “Niacinamide can be a reactive ingredient for some with very sensitive skin, so I recommend introducing it gradually,” he warns.
- Editor’s Experience: “Korean formulas are often lightweight, gentle, and kind to my sensitive skin. This pink peptide serum checks all the boxes, absorbing quickly so I can move through my routine without pausing, which is ideal given my general lack of patience. And while I’m not ethically opposed to salmon PDRN on my face, it’s nice knowing this formula is vegan and no fish were harmed in the process.” —Iman Balagam, contributor
- Type of PDRN: Rose-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: Not specified
- Key Ingredients: Peptides, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Leaves skin hydrated, radiant, even-toned, and supple | Natural rose fragrance may be too potent for some |
Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Dr. Reju-All Advanced PDRN Rejuvenating Cream
- Why We Love It: This lightweight, non-comedogenic cream is designed to be applied to sensitive and acne-prone skin types with compromised moisture barriers, soothing irritation and supporting recovery post-breakout, says Dr. Reszko. “It absorbs quickly and helps improve overall skin comfort and clarity without feeling heavy,” she notes. The hydrating and rejuvenating formula features super-small salmon-derived PDRN molecules that can penetrate more easily into the skin than most, working in tandem with fellow calming and conditioning ingredients niacinamide and panthenol for a more even complexion.
- Editor’s Experience: “Oftentimes when you apply a topical skin-care product, you’re left with some type of residue after application—but not with this cream. It really does sink right into skin, leaving behind a natural, just more nourished, finish that layers well. It’s become my go-to before bed for a no-fuss PDRN treatment my skin has been loving.” —Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
- Type of PDRN: Salmon-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: 0.12 percent
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate
- Size: 0.7 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Silky texture can be layered multiple times without piling | May irritate the skin of those sensitive to niacinamide |
| Leaves skin looking more radiant and smooth |
Best With Retinol: Innisfree Retinol Green Tea PDRN Skin Booster Ampoule
- 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—the latter of which Dr. Azizzadeh notes can help temper any potential irritation associated with the former. “It’s a good entry point for those easing into retinol and anti-aging serums, especially for sensitive skin,” he adds. The ingredient list of this incredibly fast-absorbing formula is rounded out with niacinamide and Lactobacillus ferment lysate for comprehensive firming, hydrating, and skin-rebalancing benefits.
- Type of PDRN: Green tea-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: 56 percent
- Key Ingredients: 1% triple retinol complex, niacinamide
- Size: 0.84 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Helps smooth and clarify uneven skin texture and tone | May initially cause congestion and purging associated with retinol use |
| Fragrance free |
Best Moisturizer: Gangnam Glow Rejunol Mucin Cream
- 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, plus niacinamide, multiple weights of sodium hyaluronate, and several ceramides. In addition to working to firm skin as well as smooth texture and even skin tone, “some of the non-PDRN ingredients will help lock in moisture and strengthen the skin barrier,” says Dr. Azizzadeh. “That said, those prone to whiteheads or fungal acne may want to patch-test first, as snail mucin can sometimes exacerbate those issues, depending on skin type.”
- Type of PDRN: Salmon-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: 91.5 percent (complex containing PDRN, snail mucin, and niacinamide)
- Key Ingredients: Salmon-derived PDRN, snail mucin, niacinamide
- Size: 3.7 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Lightweight cream offers surprisingly long-lasting nourishment | Snail mucin makes the formula feel sticky upon initial application |
| Smooths uneven texture |
Best for Sensitive Skin: Heveblue Salmon Caring Centella Cream
- Why We Love It: This best-selling PDRN cream is “a daily cream focused on maintaining hydration while keeping reactive skin calm and comfortable,” explains Anetta Reszko, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York. 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 calming cream to leave your skin soft, smooth, and even without weighing down the skin.
- Type of PDRN: Salmon-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: 0.5 percent
- Key Ingredients: Purslane extract, cica leaf water, sodium hyaluronate
- Size: 3.38 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Soothing formula provides balanced nourishment to all skin types, including dry and sensitive | Moisturizer can leave a tacky finish on skin |
| Layers well with other products, including makeup and retinoids |
Best for Redness: Iope Bio-PDRN Caffeine Shot
- Why We Love It: If your skin is prone to flushing, fast to sensitize, and acne-prone, give this formula a try—it helps quell redness to leave skin calm and hydrated. “This serum focuses on strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier while subtly improving firmness in areas prone to laxity,” adds Dr. Reszko. Green tea-sourced PDRN and beta-glucan work in tandem to provide lasting hydration, while the caffeine helps calm stressed skin. As an added bonus, its cooling, watery texture absorbs quickly without any residue, making it an easy addition to a morning skin-care routine.
- Type of PDRN: Green tea-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: 38 percent
- Key Ingredients: Green tea–derived PDRN, caffeine, beta-glucan
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Lightweight serum absorbs rapidly while providing a comforting cooling sensation | May not be hydrating enough for very dry skin types |
| Helps calm, firm, and depuff skin, including bags under the eyes |
Best With Hyaluronic Acid: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
- 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%. “Built around deep, layered hydration, this serum delivers moisture across multiple levels of the skin while supporting barrier strength and elasticity,” says Dr. Reszko. Hydrolyzed collagen supports this duo by fortifying the skin barrier to prevent water loss, leaving skin plump and plush.
- Type of PDRN: Salmon-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: Not specified
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, hydrolyzed collagen, glutathione
- Size: 1.01 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Lightweight serum floods the skin with hydration courtesy of multiple forms of hyaluronic acid | Absorbs so quickly that it can be hard to spread across face |
| Fragrance free |
Best Mask: Abib PDRN Overnight Face Mask
- Why We Love It: If you’re a fan of slugging, this bouncy, vegan PDRN-infused mask is a must try. Before bed, slather it on as the last step in your routine—while you sleep, peptides, PDRN, and collagen work to improve skin elasticity, tone, and overall radiance. “The jelly-like texture locks in moisture and leaves skin looking more supple and radiant by morning,” adds Dr. Reszko.
- Editor Experience: “In winter, my already-dry skin is completely parched—especially now that I’m pregnant—so I’ve been seeking out ways to add extra hydration to my routine. This PDRN mask traps in all the hydration of previously-applied steps while working to plump and soften skin. While it definitely is a little messy (like many slugging formulas, the product never fully dries), this mask is the only thing I’ve tried in months that’s helped my skin stay moisturized overnight.” —Emily Orofino, contributor
- Type of PDRN: Plant-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: Not specified
- Key Ingredients: Collagen, peptides, panthenol
- Size: 2.7 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly formula | Sticky texture never fully dries |
| Seals in lasting moisture overnight |
Best Retinol Alternative: Bano PDRN 1000 Cream
- Why We Love It: Made with PDRN sourced from naturally hydrating and rejuvenating saccharomyces ferment (derived from brewer’s yeast), this lightweight yet luxurious cream features a peculiar stringy texture upon application. Massage it in, though, and the cream quickly melts into skin to deliver super-small molecules of collagen, retinol-alternative bakuchiol, and plumping sodium hyaluronate to leave skin fresh, smooth, and nourished.
- Editor’s Experience: “This moisturizer is beautifully compatible with a variety of different product textures and types—meaning it never pills—not to mention absolutely packed with actives. I swear that the fast-acting humectants, peptides, and caffeine immediately blur the appearance of any fine lines and wrinkles, but I know that over time, the bakuchiol and PDRN in the formula absolutely will smooth out those imperfections.” —Emily Orofino, contributor
- Type of PDRN: Vegan-derived PDRN
- Concentration of PDRN: 0.1 percent
- Key Ingredients: Bakuchiol, collagen, sodium hyaluronate, peptides, caffeine
- Size: 1.69 fl. oz.
| Love it: | Leave it: |
|---|---|
| Fast-absorbing formula provides lasting moisture and layers nicely with other products, including makeup | Thinner texture would be more neatly dispensed from a pump |
| A little goes a long way |
Everything You Need to Know
Does PDRN really work?
Yes, PDRN can absolutely provide some impressive benefits, including helping the skin heal, boost collagen production, 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 Dr. 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.
For topical products, like the PDRN serums and creams above, you’ll need to be a little more patient. “You might notice hydration and mild skin improvements quickly, but bigger changes take several weeks and likely won’t be as dramatic as injectable PDRN,” says Murdock.
Do topical PDRN products work as well as in-office treatments?
No, and that’s kind of the point—in-office treatments are professional-grade products, stronger than what you’d use at home because an expert is administering them, either via injection or topically to skin they’ve just treated with a powerful laser or other device. That allows for in-office PDRN treatments to penetrate the skin far more deeply than an at-home PDRN cream ever could. Deeper penetration of an active translates to more dramatic improvement in a faster amount of time. However, the more affordable and convenient nature of at-home PDRN skincare make them worthy of consideration.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to PDRN serums and creams, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, PDRN source, PDRN concentration, texture, packaging, finish, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Eunice Park, MD is a dual-board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and the founder of AIREM in New York.
- Brian Murdock is the general manager, North America, for Memebox.
- Victoria Fu is a cosmetic chemist and the cofounder of the podcast Chemist Confessions.
- Babak Azizzadeh, MD is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and the President-Elect of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
- Anetta Reszko, MD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York.
