Home / Ingredients / PDRN (Sodium DNA)
PDRN (Sodium DNA)
By Nur → Last verified 9/26/2026
What it is
PDRN, short for polydeoxyribonucleotide, is a DNA-fragment ingredient commonly derived from salmon, used across Korean regenerative skincare in both serums and moisturizers.
What the evidence says
PDRN is studied for supporting collagen production and tissue repair, but it's a newer ingredient category with a shorter independent track record than long-established actives like niacinamide or hyaluronic acid. Several brands using PDRN, including Anua and VT, note directly in their own product data that PDRN's topical efficacy claims are largely based on brand-sponsored studies rather than independent clinical trials, worth treating skin-regeneration language with real skepticism. In sunscreens specifically, PDRN has no independent evidence of improving UV protection itself, it rides alongside the sunscreen as a skincare add-on, not a sun-protection performance claim.
Who it's for
People curious about newer regenerative-positioned actives who are comfortable with less independent evidence than more established ingredients like niacinamide or ceramides.
Worth knowing
Not a functional anti-wrinkle ingredient the way adenosine is, and shouldn't be mistaken for one. It's also frequently paired with genuine actives (niacinamide, collagen, peptides) rather than sold alone, so a product's real benefit often comes from what PDRN is combined with, not PDRN specifically.
Where you'll find it
Products in our catalog that list PDRN (Sodium DNA) as a key ingredient.
- Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream
- Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum
- Beauty of Joseon Pore Firming Serum Red Bean PDRN + Peptide
- CNP Laboratory Derma+ Answer Active Boost Ampoule
- COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Intense Vitalizing Serum
- Dr. Althea Aqua Marine Deep Serum
- haruharu wonder Rose PDRN Soothing Serum
- make p:rem PDRN Pore Clay Cleansing Milk
- medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- MEDIHEAL PDRN Lifting Serum
- ONCLO Chaoreum Ampoule
- VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100
- VT PDRN Reedle Shot 300
- Wellage Real Hyaluronic Blue 100 Ampoule
Frequently asked
What is PDRN in skincare?
PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, is a DNA-fragment ingredient commonly derived from salmon, used in Korean serums and moisturizers for its regenerative positioning.
Does PDRN in skincare actually work?
The evidence is still developing. PDRN is studied for supporting collagen production and tissue repair, but several brands using it note directly that the efficacy claims rest mainly on brand-sponsored research rather than independent clinical trials.
Does PDRN improve sunscreen performance?
No independent evidence supports that. In PDRN-containing sunscreens, it functions as a skincare add-on riding alongside the UV filter, not a sun-protection claim itself.
Which products contain PDRN?
Anua, medicube, VT, and ONCLO all sell PDRN-containing serums or moisturizers, though the concentration and role of PDRN varies significantly between them, from a primary active to a minor supporting ingredient.