What Is PDRN? Salmon DNA Skincare Explained for Clinics and Retailers

PDRN has become one of the most searched ingredients in Korean skincare. Med spas use it in microneedling and recovery facials, and skincare shops stock PDRN creams and masks as the take-home step. But the name is confusing, and "salmon DNA" sounds stranger than it is.

This guide explains what PDRN is, how it differs from PN and "plant PDRN", what it does in cosmetics, and what to check before you buy it wholesale.

1. What PDRN is

PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide: short chains of DNA. For skincare it is extracted from salmon or trout and purified until only the DNA fragments remain. No fish proteins or oils are meant to be left in the finished ingredient.

• INCI name: Sodium DNA. This is how you find it on a Korean ingredient list.
• Common nicknames: salmon DNA, salmon sperm DNA, DNA complex.
• Background: PDRN was first studied in medicine for tissue repair. In cosmetics, it is used for how skin looks and feels, not to treat any condition.

2. PDRN vs PN vs plant PDRN

	What it is	Where you see it
PDRN	Short, purified DNA fragments from salmon or trout	Ampoules, MTS serums, creams, masks
PN (polynucleotides)	Longer DNA chains from the same source. Thicker texture	Professional boosters, often labelled "PN"
Plant PDRN	DNA-type ingredients from plants, marketed as vegan alternatives	"Vegan PDRN" serums and creams
PDRN + exosome	PDRN combined with exosomes or cell conditioned media	Premium recovery ampoules and creams

For clinics, the most popular format is the PDRN + exosome combination: PDRN for comfort and hydration, exosomes for glow.

3. What PDRN does in skincare

As a cosmetic ingredient, PDRN is used to:

• Hydrate and leave skin feeling plump and comfortable.
• Soothe skin that feels sensitive or reactive, for example after microneedling.
• Support the skin barrier so skin feels less dry and tight.
• Give a smoother, more even and radiant look over a course of sessions.

Results depend on the full formula, the concentration and the protocol, not on the PDRN alone. This is why the same ingredient can feel very different from one product to another.

All KINN PDRN products are topical cosmetics, applied to the skin or used with microneedling. They are not injectables.

4. PDRN product formats

Format	Best for	Examples at KINN
Skin booster ampoules single-use vials	One vial per session in med spas and clinics	MESO ELIXIR PDRN Skin Reboot, EXOSOME PDRN 2000
Microneedling (MTS) serums 50 ml bottles	Many sessions per bottle, lower cost per treatment	MESO ELIXIR PDRN MTS Serum
Freeze-dried kits	Mixed right before use, so the PDRN stays at full strength	fmk Rejuvenating PDRN Kit, GFCCELL Exo PN Kit
Creams	Daily home care and clinic retail	PDRN Salmon Elixir Cream, MESO EXOSOME PDRN Cream
Sheet masks	The take-home step after a treatment	DERMAEL PDRN Mask Sheet

See all of them in our PDRN serums & skin boosters collection.

5. How clinics and shops use PDRN

• Microneedling session: one PDRN ampoule, or an MTS serum, applied during and after the session.
• Recovery or glow facial: a PDRN + exosome ampoule as the treatment step, finished with a PDRN mask.
• Take-home kit: a PDRN cream or mask sold after the treatment, so clients continue at home.
• Retail shelf: PDRN creams and masks for customers who already know the ingredient from social media.

Always follow each product's directions, and confirm in-clinic protocols with your practitioner or medical director.

6. What to check when buying PDRN wholesale

• Sodium DNA on the label. If the product says "PDRN" but the ingredient list doesn't show Sodium DNA, ask why.
• Concentration. Korean PDRN is often given in ppm (parts per million). 2,000 ppm is 0.2%; 10,000 ppm is 1%. Compare like with like.
• Format. Single-use vials for per-session pricing, 50 ml serums for lower cost per treatment, freeze-dried kits for maximum freshness.
• Manufacturer documents. COA and MSDS with the shipment, and an ISO 22716 (cosmetic GMP) certificate.
• Landed cost. Check whether shipping is DDP or DAP. See our guide DDP vs DAP: who pays import duties.

7. Buying PDRN from KINN

• We are the sales team of a Korean skincare manufacturer in Busan. Products are made under ISO 22716.
• Most products from 1 unit per SKU. Mix PDRN ampoules, serums, creams and masks in one order.
• 3+ items: 23% off automatically (fmk kits and DERMAEL use their own box or carton pricing).
• US: DDP, duties included. Other countries: DAP. EMS or DHL Express from Busan, 7–21 business days.
• COA and MSDS with every shipment. Create a free account to see prices.

FAQ

Is PDRN really made from salmon?

Most cosmetic PDRN is extracted from salmon or trout and purified until only the DNA fragments remain. Plant-derived alternatives are sold as "plant" or "vegan" PDRN.

What is the INCI name of PDRN?

Sodium DNA. Look for it on the ingredient list to confirm a product actually contains PDRN.

Is PDRN vegan?

Salmon-derived PDRN is not vegan. If you need a vegan product, look for plant-derived PDRN instead.

Can PDRN be used with microneedling?

Yes. Many PDRN ampoules and MTS serums are made for microneedling and derma-roller protocols. Follow each product's directions.

Is PDRN suitable for people with a fish allergy?

PDRN is highly purified, but anyone with a fish allergy should check with their doctor and do a patch test before use.

What does "PDRN 2000" mean on a product name?

It usually refers to the concentration: 2,000 ppm of PDRN (0.2%). Check the product description to confirm.

Next step: browse PDRN serums & skin boosters, see all skin booster ampoules, or read our quick facts for buyers.