Glowy or Not

Last updated: October 2026

“Salmon DNA” on your face sounds like a weird science experiment, but PDRN is one of the biggest skincare trends of the year, with searches up more than 200%. You’ll find it in serums, toners, creams, and even lip masks. So what is it, does it actually work in a serum, and which ones are worth your money?

Quick note on honesty: I’ve personally used two of the serums below, both from VT Cosmetics, for about a year. The rest are research picks, and each one is clearly labeled.

What is PDRN?

PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide. It’s made of small fragments of DNA, traditionally taken from salmon or trout. Newer versions come from plants, like ginseng or artemisia, which makes them vegan.

In Korean dermatology clinics, PDRN is injected into the skin, and treatments like Rejuran became famous for helping with skin repair, texture, and fine lines. Research suggests it works by calming inflammation and supporting the skin’s natural repair process.

Does PDRN work in a serum?

This is the important part. The strong research is on injected PDRN. A serum is a different story.

• It’s a big molecule. PDRN fragments are generally too large to sink into the skin on their own, so most of it likely stays on the surface.
• Brands rarely share the details. Most don’t say how much PDRN they use or how it’s delivered into the skin.
• Early research is promising but thin. A small 2025 study found modest improvements around the eyes with a low-molecular-weight, plant-derived PDRN, but that’s far from proof for every serum on the shelf.

Dermatologists’ take: if you love your PDRN serum, the results are probably coming at least partly from the other ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, peptides, and ceramides. That doesn’t make them bad products. It just means you’re paying for a good hydrating serum with a trendy ingredient, not a bottled version of a clinic treatment.

The PDRN serums at a glance

Serum	About	PDRN source	Best for
VT PDRN Reedle Shot 100	$42	Salmon	Oily or combination skin with uneven texture or visible pores. Skip if your skin is sensitive.
VT PDRN Essence 100	$21 on sale and up	Plant (vegan)	Combination skin that wants light, everyday hydration, with a fish-free formula
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum	$21	Salmon	First-timers who want to try the trend for around $20
Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum	$28	Salmon	Dehydrated or dull skin that needs a moisture boost
COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Intense Vitalizing Serum	$25	Mixed (salmon + plant)	COSRX fans who want a hydrating serum. Not vegan.
Mediheal PDRN Lifting Serum	About $14 on sale	Plant (rose)	The cheapest way to try PDRN, and anyone avoiding fish-derived ingredients
The INKEY List PDRN Serum	$18	Plant (vegan)	Vegans and fish allergies, at an affordable price
Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule	$52	Salmon	A splurge for Rejuran fans who want the clinic brand’s name

The serums, one by one

1. VT Cosmetics PDRN Reedle Shot 100

Price: $42 for 50 ml

This is one of the two PDRN products I’ve actually used. I’ve been using it 2 to 3 times a week for about a year. I have combination skin that gets oily in my T-zone. In my experience, it’s helped my skin look smoother, my pores look smaller, and my T-zone get a little less oily over time. I’ve used it alongside the VT PDRN Essence, so I can’t say exactly how much credit goes to each one.

What makes it different: it contains tiny “spicules,” microscopic silica needles that create very small channels in the top layer of your skin. That’s why it prickles for a few minutes after you apply it. The idea is that those channels help the other ingredients, including PDRN, copper peptides, and niacinamide, get in better.

• Good to know: The prickly feeling is normal and fades, but it’s not for sensitive, rosacea-prone, or broken-out skin. Most sources suggest using it only 2 to 3 times a week.
• Contains: Salmon-derived PDRN, so skip it if you have a fish allergy.
• Best for: Oily or combination skin with uneven texture or visible pores, as long as your skin isn’t sensitive. Ease in slowly and don’t use it on the same night as strong exfoliants.

2. VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100

Price: About $21 on sale at Ulta (regular price is higher)

The other one I’ve used for about a year, and the one I reach for most. It’s a light, milky essence that sinks in quickly and leaves skin dewy without feeling greasy on my oily T-zone.

Interesting detail: its PDRN is plant-derived (from ginseng), so it’s vegan, and it also has ceramides and niacinamide, two ingredients with solid evidence behind them for hydration and oil balance.

• Good to know: Gentle enough for daily use, unlike the Reedle Shot. It contains some oils, so anyone dealing with fungal acne should check the ingredient list.
• Best for: Combination skin that wants hydration without heaviness. It’s also a gentler everyday option if the Reedle Shot feels like too much, and its PDRN is plant-based.

3. Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

Price: $21 at Ulta

The pink serum that made PDRN go viral. Reviewers like its lightweight, bouncy feel and the glow it gives, and it’s an affordable way to see what the hype is about.

• Good to know: Like most PDRN serums, the brand doesn’t share how much PDRN it contains or how it’s delivered.
• Best for: Curious first-timers who want to see what the PDRN hype is about without spending a lot. If hydration is all you’re after, a basic hyaluronic acid serum may do a similar job.

4. Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum

Price: $28 at Ulta

A hydration-first serum from the brand behind the viral heartleaf toner. Reviewers describe it as plumping and easy to layer.

• Good to know: Most of the immediate plumping you’ll notice comes from the hyaluronic acid.
• Best for: Dehydrated or dull skin that feels tight and needs a moisture boost. It’s a good fit if hydration is your main goal and PDRN is a bonus.

5. COSRX 5 PDRN Collagen Intense Vitalizing Serum

Price: $25 at Ulta

A newer PDRN option from a brand a lot of people already trust for gentle basics. COSRX says it blends five types of PDRN, from salmon, centella, rice, lactobacillus, and sea grapes.

• Good to know: Because one of its PDRN sources is salmon, it’s not vegan and not a fit for fish allergies.
• Best for: People who already like COSRX and want to add a hydrating serum to their routine. Skip it if you’re vegan or allergic to fish.

6. Mediheal PDRN Lifting Serum

Price: About $14 on sale at Ulta

The lowest-cost way to try a PDRN serum. Its PDRN is plant-derived, from Bulgarian white rose, which also makes it a good pick if you avoid fish-derived ingredients.

• Good to know: At this price, think of it as a pleasant hydrating serum first.
• Best for: Budget shoppers who want to try PDRN for the lowest price, and anyone who avoids fish-derived ingredients.

7. The INKEY List PDRN Serum

Price: $18 for 30 ml

A vegan option made with plant-derived PDRN from Artemisia capillaris, plus glycerin and a nourishing emollient blend.

• Good to know: A solid pick if you have a fish allergy or avoid animal-derived ingredients.
• Best for: Vegans and anyone with a fish allergy who still wants to try the PDRN trend at an affordable price.

8. Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule

Price: About $52 for 30 ml

From Rejuran, the brand best known for in-clinic PDRN injections. It’s the splurge on this list.

• Good to know: The injection results people talk about don’t automatically carry over to a serum you put on top of your skin.
• Best for: Rejuran fans with a bigger budget who like using the same brand behind the clinic injections. Just keep in mind you’re paying for the name, not injection-level results.

Who should skip PDRN?

• Fish allergies: Many PDRN products are salmon-derived. Choose a plant-based option like The INKEY List, Mediheal, or VT’s essence, and always check the label.
• Vegans: Same as above, look for plant-derived PDRN.
• Very sensitive skin: Skip spicule products like the Reedle Shot.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding: There isn’t much research, so check with your doctor first.

How to add a PDRN serum to your routine

• Apply after cleansing and toner, before moisturizer.
• Regular PDRN serums and essences can usually be used morning and night.
• Spicule products like the Reedle Shot: start with 2 to 3 times a week, at night, and skip other exfoliants that night.
• Always finish with sunscreen in the morning.

Final verdict: is PDRN glowy or not?

Maybe. PDRN as a serum ingredient is more hype than proven science right now, so don’t expect clinic-level results from a bottle. But several of these serums are genuinely nice, hydrating products. From my own year of using them, the VT PDRN Essence 100 and Reedle Shot 100 have been worth it for my combination, oily-in-the-T-zone skin. If you’re curious, start with an affordable option, and if you have a fish allergy, go plant-based.

FAQ

Is PDRN really salmon sperm DNA?

Traditionally, yes, PDRN is extracted from salmon or trout DNA. Many newer products use plant-derived versions instead.

Is PDRN serum the same as a PDRN injection?

No. Injections deliver PDRN directly into the skin, and that’s where the strongest evidence is. Serums sit on the surface, and there’s much less proof they work the same way.

Can I use PDRN with retinol or vitamin C?

Regular PDRN serums are gentle and generally layer well with other actives. Spicule products like the Reedle Shot are best kept away from retinol and acids on the same night.

Is PDRN safe for sensitive skin?

Most PDRN serums are gentle, but spicule products can irritate sensitive skin. Patch test first.

You might also like: my Biodance Bio-Collagen Mask review for another hydration-focused K-beauty pick, and my Medicube Zero Pore Pads review if you’re curious about Medicube’s other viral product.

Sources I used

• Dermatology Times: PDRN serums mythbusters
• DermApproved: does salmon-DNA serum work?
• Ulta: best PDRN serums
• DermApproved: VT PDRN Reedle Shot 100
• DermApproved: VT PDRN Essence 100
• The INKEY List: PDRN Serum
• COSRX: 5 PDRN Collagen Serum
• Mediheal: PDRN Lifting Serum
• Rising Trends: skincare search trends

I’ve personally used the VT Cosmetics PDRN Reedle Shot 100 and PDRN Essence 100 for about a year. All other products are research picks. This post doesn’t contain affiliate links and isn’t medical advice.