The Ellumie Blog · PDRN Skincare
The Science Behind Your Glass Skin Glow
Discover PDRN, the K-beauty ingredient everyone's talking about.
The basics
What Exactly Is PDRN?
PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide, a mix of small DNA fragments. The PDRN used in skincare is most commonly purified from salmon, which is why you'll often hear it called "salmon DNA skincare."
PDRN wasn't born in a beauty lab. Researchers first studied it in medicine, where it has been used in prescription treatments and studied for its role in tissue repair (1). Korean skin clinics later made PDRN treatments famous, and skincare brands followed with serums, creams and balms that use it as a gentle, skin-conditioning ingredient.
In a cosmetic like a balm, PDRN's job is simple: help your skin feel soft, smooth and comfortable, especially when it's paired with strong hydrators.
The buzz
Why Everyone Is Talking About PDRN
From Seoul clinics to your makeup bag: here's why PDRN became one of K-beauty's most searched ingredients.
Inside the formula
The Ingredients Behind the Glow
PDRN works best with friends. These are the key ingredients in our PDRN Collagen Volume Multi Balm.
PDRN
A skin-conditioning favorite of Korean skincare that helps skin feel soft and comfortable.
Collagen & elastin
Help skin feel smoother and more supple, for a bouncier-looking finish.
Hyaluronic acid
Draws in moisture for a plumper, dewier look. It's one of skin's own key moisture-holding molecules (3).
Highlights are based on the product's listed key ingredients. Check the product packaging for the full ingredient list.
Honest results
What Can You Realistically Expect?
The balm melts on contact into a silky, cushiony layer. Here's what that means for your skin day to day.
Comfortable, lasting hydration
Seals in moisture so dry patches on cheeks, under-eyes and lips feel soft again.
Smoother-looking texture
Fine lines caused by dryness look softer when skin is well cushioned in moisture.
A healthy-looking glow
A fresh, dewy finish that works on bare skin or over makeup.
What it won't do: replace sunscreen, a dermatologist or an in-clinic treatment. Results vary from person to person, and a balm works on how your skin looks and feels, not on medical skin conditions.
How to use
Your Daily Glow Ritual
Three steps, about 30 seconds, morning and night. No mirror needed.
-
Glide
Twist up and glide over clean skin, or over moisturizer as your last step.
-
Target
Focus on dry spots: cheeks, under-eyes, smile lines and lips. Keep it off the eyes themselves.
-
Pat & glow
Pat gently with your fingertips until it melts in. Reapply on lips and dry spots any time.
Meet your Ellumie glow essential
PDRN Collagen Volume Multi Balm
$29.99$49.98Save $19.99
- PDRN + collagen + hyaluronic acid in one stick
- Melts on contact with no greasy, sticky feel
- For cheeks, under-eyes, smile lines, lips and neck
- Free of parabens and mineral oil
- Travel-friendly 10 g / 0.35 oz stick
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PDRN in skincare?
PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a mix of DNA fragments, most often purified from salmon. In skincare it's used as a skin-conditioning ingredient that helps skin feel soft, smooth and comfortable.
Is PDRN really made from salmon?
Most PDRN in skincare is derived from salmon DNA, which is why it's nicknamed "salmon DNA skincare." The ingredient is highly purified for cosmetic use.
What does PDRN do for skin?
In a balm, PDRN works with hydrators like hyaluronic acid to help skin feel softer and look smoother and dewier. Medical research on PDRN focuses on injections and wound care; evidence for topical cosmetics is more limited, so expect comfort and glow rather than clinic results.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
The balm is made for all skin types and is free of parabens and mineral oil. Because it contains retinol, patch test on a small area first and start once a day if your skin is sensitive.
How often should I use the PDRN balm?
Use it morning and night as the last step of your routine, and reapply on lips and dry spots whenever you need it. Wear sunscreen during the day, since the formula contains retinol.
Can I use it over makeup?
Yes. Glide it over cheekbones, dry spots or lips for an instant dewy finish. Pat it in with your fingertips so your makeup stays in place.
Can I use it while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The balm contains retinol, so please ask your doctor before using it if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
Sources
- Squadrito F, Bitto A, Irrera N, et al. Pharmacological activity and clinical use of PDRN. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2017;8:224.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00224
- Colangelo MT, Galli C, Guizzardi S. The effects of polydeoxyribonucleotide on wound healing and tissue regeneration: a systematic review of the literature. Regenerative Medicine. 2020;15(6):1801–1821.doi.org/10.2217/rme-2019-0118
- Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: a key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology. 2012;4(3):253–258.doi.org/10.4161/derm.21923
This article is for general information only and isn't medical advice. If you have a skin condition, talk to a dermatologist.
Your Glow Ritual Starts Here.
Discover the Ellumie PDRN balm, designed for your everyday beauty routine.
Discover Ellumie