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Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN)

A mix of DNA fragments from salmon or trout sperm with chains under 1500 kDa. Topical use rests on one small RCT, injections on RCTs in scars and wound healing. Most aesthetic trials tested long-chain polynucleotides (PN)

INCI: Polydeoxyribonucleotide

Evidence by route

B

Topical application

One small randomized split-face trial supports topical salmon PDRN. With 0.1% in an eye cream, crow's feet decreased more over 28 days than with 0.1% retinol. The trial had no plain-base control and has not been repeated. These results do not apply to plant or bacterial "PDRN" or to products that do not disclose the PDRN content

  • Ye R et al. Topical medium-length PDRN enhances dermal extracellular matrix repair in photodamaged skin via PI3K-Akt/TGF-β-regulated pathways. PLoS One. 2026;21(7):e0350905. PMID 42430369
  • Valdatta L et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of polydeoxyribonucleotides in the healing process of autologous skin graft donor sites: a pilot study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2004;20(3):403-8. PMID 15025849
  • Marques C et al. From Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) to Polynucleotides (PNs): Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Definitions, Molecular Insights, and Clinical Applications of Multifunctional Biomolecules. Biomolecules. 2025;15(1). PMID 39858543
B

Injectable

For PDRN itself there is one aesthetic RCT. After thyroidectomy, injections did not significantly change the main scar score, although erythema and scar height were lower. Most trials on wrinkles, hydration and skin quality tested long-chain polynucleotides (PN). Their results cannot be transferred to PDRN. Placebo-controlled trials of intramuscular and perilesional PDRN show faster wound healing

  • Alhussain AM et al. Polynucleotides and Polydeoxyribonucleotides for Skin Rejuvenation, Postoperative Scar Prevention, and Wound Healing: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. Cureus. 2026;18(7):e112403. PMID 42572627
  • Lampridou S et al. The Effectiveness of Polynucleotides in Esthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(2):e16721. PMID 39645667
  • Squadrito F et al. The effect of PDRN, an adenosine receptor A2A agonist, on the healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers: results of a clinical trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(5):E746-53. PMID 24483158
  • Kim BR et al. Early Postoperative Injections of Polydeoxyribonucleotide Prevent Hypertrophic Scarring After Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle). 2023;12(7):361-370. PMID 35713247
  • Lee YJ et al. Comparison of the effects of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid fillers on periocular rejuvenation: a randomized, double-blind, split-face trial. J Dermatolog Treat. 2022;33(1):254-260. PMID 32248707
  • Kim JH et al. Preventive effect of polynucleotide on post-thyroidectomy scars: A randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial. Lasers Surg Med. 2018. PMID 29574803
  • Araco A et al. Preliminary Prospective and Randomized Study of Highly Purified Polynucleotide vs Placebo in Treatment of Moderate to Severe Acne Scars. Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(7):NP866-NP874. PMID 33755110
  • Rubegni P et al. Clinical evaluation of the trophic effect of polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) in patients undergoing skin explants. A Pilot Study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2001;17(2):128-31. PMID 11759182
How to read tiers A–F
  • BLimited evidence. One RCT or several controlled studies with limitations

Tolerability and safety

Working concentrations
On intact skin, only 0.1% salmon PDRN in an eye cream has been tested in humans (Ye 2026). There are no dose-finding studies
Irritation potential
Low
Allergen risk
Low
Pregnancy
Unknown
Suitable for
Normal, Dry, Sensitive, Combination

About this ingredient

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is a mix of DNA fragments, usually from salmon or trout sperm. One review proposes the name PDRN for chains under 1500 kDa and polynucleotides (PN) for longer ones (Marques 2025). PDRN is regarded as an adenosine A2A receptor agonist (Squadrito 2014). In fibroblasts and ex vivo skin it activated collagen genes (Ye 2026). These are lab data. It is used in injectables and creams. Data on salmon PDRN do not apply to plant or bacterial "PDRN". On intact skin there is one randomized double-blind split-face trial (Ye 2026). For 28 days, 31 women applied an eye cream with 0.1% PDRN to one side and 0.1% retinol in the same base to the other. Crow's feet area and count fell by about 20–23% versus 6–7%. The trial had no plain-base control. Some authors work in cosmetic companies. With Raman spectroscopy, the authors found a PDRN signal in the living epidermis. Studies after microneedling and laser mostly tested PN, with mixed results. In an RCT of 44 patients after thyroidectomy, two PDRN injections did not significantly change the main scar score (p=0.059). Erythema and scar height were lower (Kim 2023). Placebo-controlled RCTs show faster wound healing with PDRN (Squadrito 2014). Gains in wrinkles and hydration come from PN trials (Lee 2022). RCTs reported no serious adverse events (Alhussain 2026). There are no data on people with fish allergy. There are no data on use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions

Is Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) safe during pregnancy?

Safety data for Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) during pregnancy is insufficient. Best avoided when in doubt.

What skin types is Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) for?

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) suits: normal, dry, sensitive, combination.

What is Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) and what does it do in cosmetics?

A mix of DNA fragments from salmon or trout sperm with chains under 1500 kDa.

What's the INCI name for Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN)?

The INCI name is Polydeoxyribonucleotide.

What concentration of Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is effective?

On intact skin, only 0.1% salmon PDRN in an eye cream has been tested in humans (Ye 2026). There are no dose-finding studies

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