PDRN is the K-Beauty skincare secret you need to know in 2026 for smooth, glowing skin - these are the best products to try
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more
Keeping up with skincare trends and new ingredients is no easy task – especially with new ingredients gaining hype seemingly every week. But there's one ingredient that has captured the interest of skincare enthusiasts: PDRN.
A K-Beauty staple and TikTok viral sensation, PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a naturally derived molecule from salmon DNA that has been found to be effective in wound healing, reducing inflammation (which is great for post-acne marks and redness), and stimulating collagen and barrier repair.
This medicube bestseller has been gaining viral status for very good reason, boasting an innovative encapsulation technology to keep the effect of premium PDRN as potent as possible.
Lightweight and non-sticky, this gentle cream works to moisturise the skin and leave it glowing, firmer and smoother in as little as one use.
Anua has quickly become a well-loved K-Beauty brand that delivers incredible results, with this PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturising Cream solidifying itself as a staple for many.
This gentle moisturiser features slow-molecular PDRN that improves absorption, as well as hyaluronic acid and collagen to help leave the skin firm, plump and healthy with an enviable glow.
In short, it could be your new best friend when it comes to renewing and repairing the skin without costly trips to the dermatologist.
While once the only way you could reap the true benefits of PDRN was through injectables, many brands are incorporating it into their skincare to bring you the incredible benefits at home.
And while topical PDRN isn’t quite as effective as injectable, it can still be a true skin-transforming ingredient, leaving many users with healthier, smoother and utterly glowing skin.
But who would benefit most from topical PDRN use? We spoke to Dr Shagoon Modi, Aesthetic Medicine Doctor at Orskin Aesthetics, who told us that if strengthening your skin is a priority, then PDRN will be for you - especially if the formulation is really great.
'When choosing a PDRN product, formulation is key. PDRN works best when paired with hydrating and barrier-supporting ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol, alongside skin-identical lipids like ceramides and squalane,' Dr Shagoon told Daily Mail.
'This combination helps support skin recovery, hydration and long-term resilience. PDRN is designed for consistent use to support skin recovery, balance and visible long-term health, particularly alongside in-clinic treatments.'
Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive and fussy skin, PDRN has been taking the beauty world by storm for a good reason, with many users reporting smoother, more elastic, hydrated, and soothed skin.
We’ve found the top PDRN products to try – from creams and serums to totally vegan formulations.
The best PDRN skincare
This Rejuran Turnover Active Cream Enhanced features 2,000ppm of c-PDRM - the most refined form of PDRN - for impressive results.
Formulated with squalane and panthenol, this beginner-friendly cream is great for the skin barrier. It will easily tackle uneven texture while deeply hydrating the dull, lacklustre skin.
Give yourself a five-minute Korean facial from home with these Glow Recipe PDRN+ Repair + Soothe Korean Toner Pads - a brand-new product from the brand.
These ultra-thin pads pair vegan PDRN+ with five calming actives (including centella and panthenol) to visibly reduce redness, support collagen regeneration, deeply hydrate and repair the skin barrier for smoother, more resilient skin.
Transform dull, uneven skin with the help of this Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum, a favourite for good reason.
This dermatologist-tested formula delivers visible results in just two weeks through 10,000ppm salmon PDRN, restoring skin barrier and boosting collagen, while the 5-peptide complex with niacinamide targets fine lines and brightens simultaneously.
Packed with 5,000ppm of PDRN and centella water, the HEVEBLUE Salmon Caring Centella Cream is an excellent choice if tackling redness and sensitivity is at the top of your list.
Calming and gentle, it helps moisturise the skin with panthenol and hyaluronic acid while strengthening the skin barrier.
Ideal for stressed and sensitive skin, the haruharu wonder Rose PDRN Soothing Serum is powered by vegan PDRN derived from Damascus Roses to help support skin renewal and deliver an instant glow.
Infused with Azeliac Acid, it visibly soothes redness, refines texture, and promotes a clearer-looking complexion, leaving skin calm, comfortable, and radiant.
Boots is well up to speed when it comes to K-Beauty, so their ultra-affordable £8 Hydrating PDRN Serum isn't one to be ignored.
This simple yet effective PDRN serum works to deliver deep hydration and moisture, leaving skin feeling firmer, more supple and radiant after use
Boasting a vegan formula, the VT COSMETICS PDRN Capsule Cream 100 is an excellent choice for those after a totally irritation-free formulation at high potency.
Boasting 100,000ppm of vegan PDRN, it boasts a capsule formula that melts into the skin for an instant glow and deep hydration thanks to its 5-Ceramide Complex and inclusion of panthenol and hyaluronic acid.
Ideal for stressed or damaged skin, this Genabelle PDRN Enriched Recovery Balm boasts a balmy texture to seal in all your skincare and repair from the inside out.
It's been formulated with 5,000ppm PDRN (a great high dose) and panthenol, helping to tackle flaky skin in need of some total repair.
If you love and trust the LANEIGE Water Bank products, then you're sure to adore their Water Bank Aqua Facial.
Featuring Aqua Glass Shot™ with a 7.7 per cent Acid Complex of AHA, BHA and PHA, it gently exfoliates and purifies pores while smoothing uneven texture for a visibly clearer, more balanced appearance.
Alongside this, Hydro Infusion™ technology combines cross-linked hyaluronic acid, PGA, PDRN and hyaluronic ceramide to deliver long-lasting hydration and support a supple feel.
Designed to cater to damaged skin while promoting a natural skin turnover cycle, the REJURAN Turnover Ampoule is the serum stressed skin needs.
With regular use, it helps even out skin tone and smooth rough texture, leaving skin soft, radiant, and rejuvenated. Its high-performance formula delivers lasting hydration, strengthens the skin barrier, and supports deep skin recovery for youthful, healthy-looking skin.