What are PDRN and polynucleotides in skincare?

Last updated: October 2026

PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) and polynucleotides are purified DNA fragments extracted from the sperm of rainbow trout or chum salmon, which is why clinics call them salmon DNA. PDRN uses shorter chains and acts mainly through adenosine A2A receptors; polynucleotides are longer chains that form a viscous gel in the skin. Most clinical evidence comes from injections, and evidence for topical serums is early.

What are PDRN and polynucleotides made of?

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is a mixture of deoxyribonucleotide polymers with molecular weights between 50 and 1,500 kDa, derived from the sperm DNA of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) or chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)^1,2. Manufacturing removes active proteins and peptides that could provoke an immune reaction, giving an active substance more than 95% pure¹.

Polynucleotides (PN) are DNA-derived biopolymers from the same salmon source. What separates the two is chain length and the way each is thought to act².

How are PDRN and polynucleotides thought to work?

The best-described mechanism for PDRN is engagement of adenosine A2A receptors¹. Through that receptor it is reported to lower pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta and to up-regulate vascular endothelial growth factor².

PDRN also offers nucleosides and nucleotides to the salvage pathway, a route that supplies nucleotides to growing keratinocytes and fibroblasts^1,2.

Polynucleotides are described differently: their longer chains form a highly viscous matrix in the dermis and act mainly through extracellular matrix remodeling². Much of the clinical history behind both comes from wound care, and the strongest trial results are still in wound healing^2,3.

What does the clinical evidence show?

A 2026 systematic review found seven randomized trials of PN or PDRN with 183 participants in total: four on skin rejuvenation, one on scar prevention after surgery and two on wound healing³. The most consistent benefit was in wound healing, where PDRN sped re-epithelialization and shortened healing time, and no serious treatment-related adverse events were reported³.

The reviewers describe the evidence as limited by small samples, varied protocols and inconsistent outcome measures, and they judged three of the seven trials at low risk of bias³. A 2026 narrative review of PDRN after aesthetic procedures adds that the optimal concentration, molecular weight, injection depth, timing and number of sessions have not been determined by clinical evidence².

Does a PDRN serum work on intact skin?

Evidence for topical PDRN is at an early stage. A 2026 study opened by stating that the mechanism and delivery of topical PDRN remain insufficiently defined, then tested a medium-length PDRN in cells, skin models and people⁴.

In its randomized, double-blind, split-face trial, 31 women aged 35 to 55 with self-reported sensitive skin used an eye cream with 0.1% PDRN on one side and 0.1% retinol on the other for 28 days; the authors report roughly two-fold greater improvement in periocular wrinkles and eye bag measures on the PDRN side⁴.

The authors name a key limit themselves: Raman spectroscopy, used to track penetration, cannot cleanly distinguish applied PDRN from the skin's own nucleic acids⁴. Several authors list affiliations with biotechnology companies⁴. DNA chains are large molecules, so the skin barrier question covered on the delivery systems page applies directly.

On an ingredient list, DNA-derived cosmetic ingredients appear under INCI names such as Sodium DNA, which the EU cosmetic ingredient database CosIng lists with the function skin conditioning⁵. The CosIng entry does not specify chain length or source species, so the INCI name alone will not tell you whether an ingredient is PDRN-grade material⁵.

What is a polynucleotide skin booster or salmon DNA facial?

In clinics, a salmon DNA treatment usually means injection. PDRN-based dermal fillers and biostimulatory injectables have been approved by regulators in countries such as South Korea and in Europe². Aesthetic uses described for polynucleotide injectables include facial rejuvenation, wrinkle reduction and the area around the eyes².

In the randomized trials reviewed in 2026, no serious treatment-related adverse events were reported³. Injection is a medical procedure. Ask who will perform it, what their license covers and what the written aftercare says, and read the Vegalab guide to skincare around injectables before booking.

What happens in salmon DNA microneedling?

Microneedling uses a needle device on the skin, and FDA guidance sets out when a microneedling product is a medical device and the regulatory pathway for microneedling devices for aesthetic use⁷.

Two of the randomized trials pair nucleotide ingredients with needling. In 24 women aged 30 to 50, microneedling with 3% salmon PDRN reduced wrinkle severity more than microneedling with platelet-rich plasma at six weeks, although reviewers noted some concerns about the trial's risk of bias³. In 29 women, radiofrequency microneedling plus topical PN produced greater early improvement in wrinkles around the eyes than radiofrequency microneedling plus saline³.

A 2026 review notes that no published human randomized trial has tested PDRN as an after-procedure product following microneedling, lasers, peels or radiofrequency in an aesthetic patient group². The practitioner chooses any product used during needling and sets the date when normal skincare resumes.