What is PDRN, and What Does it Do for Skin? Your Guide to the Salmon DNA Skincare Trend

Many skincare ingredients – and their benefits – are well-established by now: hyaluronic acid hydrates, vitamin C brightens, retinol smooths fine lines, and so on. But newer, lesser-known ingredients might leave you a little perplexed… and we’re betting that PDRN is one of them.

PDRN, also commonly referred to as “salmon DNA”, is attracting increasing interest for its apparent anti-aging benefits – but what does PDRN do for skin?

A complex ingredient warrants an in-depth guide, so join us as we uncover the science behind salmon DNA skincare and how it works alongside other skincare products.

What is PDRN?

PDRN is the abbreviation for ‘polydeoxyribonucleotide’, which refers to DNA fragments derived from the sperm cells of salmon trout or chum salmon¹.

PDRN is a form of polynucleotide that has a smaller molecular weight than other standard polynucleotides and is known for its biocompatibility – which is why it has gained widespread cosmetic use. Lancôme’s National Skincare Expert, Brittany Hanchard, weighs in:

“The DNA fragments in salmon sperm cells share enough commonalities with human DNA fragments that they’re considered ‘biocompatible’, which makes them safe and non-toxic for use in the human body.”

Salmon DNA is not a new ingredient. It has been used in cosmetic injections for years², but its usage in topical skincare is a more recent development. Now, PDRN has been developed and formulated into products like serums, moisturisers, toners, and essences.

What does PDRN do for skin?

As a skincare ingredient, PDRN acts as a bioregenerative agent to stimulate the body’s natural cellular processes – specifically, skin cell regeneration, collagen synthesis, and reducing sensitisation and discomfort³.

With the ability to stimulate the production of essential proteins that support skin structure and elasticity, salmon DNA has become an effective anti-aging skincare ingredient to improve the appearance and texture of skin without cosmetic surgical intervention.

Why is salmon DNA used in skincare? 5 PDRN skincare benefits

In signalling your skin to self-renew, PDRN skincare offers a number of benefits. PDRN:

Encourages the skin’s natural collagen production, which can help tighten skin and improve elasticity.
Acts as a tissue repair signaller, which can stimulate skin cell turnover¹ and facilitate healing³.
Comforts sensitive or compromised skin.
Supports hydration and skin moisture barrier repair.
Promotes smoother, brighter, more even-toned skin.

Can you use PDRN with other skincare?

Yes – you can use PDRN with other skincare. Topical PDRN skincare is gentle and supports skin cell renewal, so it works synergistically with many other ingredients.

PDRN and hyaluronic acid and ceramides: Boost moisture retention and build your skin’s overall resilience.
PDRN and niacinamide: Work holistically to diminish visible redness and hyperpigmentation.
PDRN and peptides: Both collagen-promoting ingredients, this duo is a natural fit to target visible and textural signs of aging.
PDRN and retinol: A potent pair to stimulate the skin’s natural renewal process, and PDRN skincare can help reduce some of the harsher effects of retinol like redness and dryness.

Are there skincare alternatives to PDRN?

If you’re reluctant to incorporate PDRN into your skincare routine, there are plenty of tried-and-tested anti-aging ingredients at your fingertips.

Each targeting various skin concerns, four of our favourite PDRN skincare alternatives are peptides, retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. Learn more about each ingredient below.

For skin firming: peptides

We alluded to this above, but peptides can play a powerful role in anti-aging skincare. Like PDRN, peptides mimic the body’s biological repair signals, which stimulates collagen and elastin production – giving your skin structural support.

You can add peptides to your skincare routine using the Rénergie Collagen+ Lift-Xtend Cream, which is formulated with collagen peptide and copper tripeptide to target signs of collagen loss and promote firmer, tighter skin.

For smoothing texture and wrinkles: retinol

Unlike salmon DNA skincare, retinol needs almost no introduction. A pillar in anti-aging skincare, retinol promotes collagen production and skin cell turnover to target sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and dull skin.

Formulated with a blend of retinol, vitamin C, and peptides, our Rénergie C.R.x. Triple Serum Retinol can be applied to encourage skin cell renewal and visibly correct signs of aging like wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and enlarged pores.

For brightening skin tone: vitamin C

Vitamin C is another hero anti-aging ingredient. Like PDRN, it stimulates collagen synthesis, but it is a powerhouse when it comes to targeting tonal skin concerns. As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps neutralise free radicals that cause long-term cell damage and lead to hyperpigmentation, dullness, fine lines, and skin sagging.

To harness the benefits of vitamin C for skin, we recommend the Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum. This triple-dose serum blends hyaluronic acid, vitamin C+, niacinamide, and ferulic acid into one efficacious serum to improve tonicity and reduce the appearance of dark spots.

For hydration: hyaluronic acid

While not an outright substitute for an ingredient like PDRN, hyaluronic acid is one of the most effective skincare ingredients to moisturise dehydrated skin – a common aging concern. This powerful humectant draws water from external sources and binds it to the stratum corneum to boost moisture levels and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

You’ll find hyaluronic acid in a number of moisturisers and serums, including the Advanced Génifique Serum, which can be used to improve radiance, diminish the look of fine lines, and plump the skin surface.

If you want to expand your anti-aging skincare knowledge outside of PDRN skincare, explore the differences between retinoids, retinol, and tretinoin, next.

¹https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2096691122000723

²https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5405115/

³https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12388916/