Emerging from Korean cosmetic medicine into the broader beauty space, PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide)—often referred to as Salmon DNA—has become one of the most talked-about regenerative actives in modern aesthetics. Originally utilized in wound healing and tissue repair medicine, this biotechnology-derived compound is most known in K-Beauty as a “skin-boosting” injectable in medical aesthetics for improving texture, elasticity, and visible skin vitality.
As interest in regenerative science continues to grow, PDRN has now transitioned from the clinic into topical skincare, inspiring a new wave of “DNA-based” serums and essences formulated to rejuvenate the skin from within.
Yet, as regenerative science moves into skincare, an important distinction emerges: the difference between what PDRN achieves when injected into the skin versus what it can realistically deliver topically—and how biotechnology has since evolved to offer vegan, bio-signaling alternatives that go beyond the limitations of DNA-based actives.
What PDRN Is—and Why It Rose to Prominence
PDRN is a purified DNA polymer derived from salmon, composed of nucleotide fragments—the very building blocks of DNA. In medical and aesthetic contexts, PDRN has been clinically investigated for its ability to support fibroblast activity, angiogenesis, and collagen synthesis through mechanisms such as adenosine A₂A receptor activation and nucleotide salvage pathways that enhance cellular repair.¹²
Clinical studies have shown that injectable PDRN enhances wound healing, stimulates VEGF expression, and promotes fibroblast proliferation—leading to improved dermal thickness and elasticity.³⁴ These regenerative outcomes helped establish its reputation in Korea’s medical aesthetic field, where PDRN “skin boosters” became synonymous with skin revitalization and youthfulness.
The Difference Between Injectables and Topicals
The impact of PDRN is deeply tied to its delivery system.
Injectable PDRN introduces the DNA fragments directly into the dermis, where fibroblasts and capillaries reside. At this depth, PDRN can effectively activate regenerative pathways (biosignaling) and produce measurable results in dermal structure, elasticity, and overall skin quality.³⁵
By contrast, topical PDRN faces intrinsic challenges. DNA molecules are large and negatively charged, which restricts their penetration through the epidermis. While topical formulations may enhance hydration and surface-level barrier function, only limited quantities reach the deeper dermal layers—making them better suited for maintenance and surface level benefits like hydration than for true regenerative remodeling.⁶
Another challenge lies in stability. PDRN, a delicate polymer of nucleotides, requires highly controlled pH and temperature conditions. In injectables, it exists within simple buffered systems designed to preserve structural integrity. In contrast, topical skincare formulas are chemically more complex—containing emulsifiers, oils, and preservatives that can compromise the molecule’s stability or reduce its efficacy over time. This makes long-term stabilization of PDRN in cosmetic products technically demanding.
Finally, the animal-derived origin raises sustainability and allergen concerns for vegan and ecologically-conscious consumers, highlighting the need for biotechnology-driven alternatives.
A New Frontier: Bio-Mimetic Nucleotide Lysate Technology
In developing Vital Fermented Essence, we looked to the regenerative potential of PDRN and asked how we could replicate its function—ethically, effectively, and with greater skin compatibility.
Through advanced fermentation, we cultivated a Saccharomyces Lysate that is biomimetic in action to PDRN, designed to deliver nucleotide-rich compounds capable of the same biosignaling mechanisms, supporting renewal and fortification at the cellular communication level.
This yeast-derived lysate is abundant in free nucleotides, peptides, and metabolic cofactors that serve as natural messengers for repair and rejuvenation. Through its smaller molecular size and bio-converted structure, it offers superior absorption compared to large DNA polymers—ensuring these regenerative nutrients reach where they can be most effective.
Within our 90% fermented system, these molecules are transported through a network of postbiotic enzymes, minerals, and amino acids that further enhance delivery, compatibility, and synergy across the skin’s microbiome, barrier, and deeper layers.
Why It Matters
Where PDRN focuses on repair, our nucleotide-rich lysate adds another dimension—adaptation. It not only replenishes the molecular building blocks for renewal but also strengthens the skin’s ability to recover and respond to stressors over time.
Key Benefits:
- Nucleotide Delivery: Supplies essential components that sustain regenerative signaling and turnover.
- Resilience & Recovery: Reinforces the skin’s structural integrity and barrier cohesion.
- Synergy: Works harmoniously with ferments to amplify responsiveness and vitality.
Together, these benefits target renewal at the bio-signaling level, amplifying the skin’s adaptive capacity and improving its baseline quality.
While PDRN marks an evolution in regenerative skincare, our yeast-derived nucleotide lysate goes further: performing biomimetically to PDRN—yet exceling in absorption, skin compatibility, and integration, ensuring the regenerative benefits are fully realized beyond the surface.
PDRN brought regenerative science to beauty through Korean innovation—but its power remains primarily bound to its injectable form, and its large molecular structure limits topical efficacy. By contrast, the nucleotide-rich yeast lysate in Vital Fermented Essence represents the next evolution: vegan, biotechnologically advanced, and designed for true absorption and skin compatibility.🌿
References
- Galeano, M. et al., “Polydeoxyribonucleotide stimulates angiogenesis and wound healing in the genetically diabetic mouse,” Wound Repair Regen., 2008.
- Kim, H. et al., “Clinical applications of polydeoxyribonucleotide for skin rejuvenation: a review,” J Cosmet Dermatol., 2021.
- Squadrito, F. et al., “Polydeoxyribonucleotide promotes repair of injured human skin fibroblasts,” Br J Pharmacol., 2017.
- Lee, K. et al., “Efficacy and safety of polydeoxyribonucleotide injections for skin rejuvenation,” Dermatol Ther., 2020.
- Shin, J. et al., “Comparison of topical and injectable polydeoxyribonucleotide: effects on human skin fibroblasts,” Arch Plast Surg., 2019.
- Choi, S. et al., “Topical PDRN improves skin hydration and barrier recovery,” Int J Mol Sci., 2024.
