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What Is PDRN in Skincare? The Sodium DNA Ingredient Explained

June 17, 2026 · NUCLEORA

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PDRN — short for polydeoxyribonucleotide — is a cosmetic active derived from purified salmon DNA. On an ingredient list it appears as Sodium DNA. In topical skincare, it is used for its hydration-supporting and appearance-of-radiance benefits.

That is the short answer. Below is the longer one: where PDRN comes from, how it arrived in topical serums, and what you can realistically expect from a leave-on product that contains it.

Where PDRN Comes From

PDRN is a nucleotide fraction extracted and purified from salmon — most commonly from salmon testes or milt. The purification process isolates the DNA fragments (the polynucleotides) and removes the protein components. The result is a water-soluble, colourless material that the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) system lists as Sodium DNA.

Cosmetic-grade Sodium DNA comes in a range of molecular weights, depending on the supplier's process. In a leave-on cosmetic, the material works at the surface of the skin.

Because it is salmon-derived, Sodium DNA is not suitable for vegan formulations. The protein fraction responsible for IgE-mediated seafood allergy is removed during purification; even so, consumers with severe seafood allergies should consult their physician before use.

How PDRN Made Its Way Into Skincare

PDRN has a longer history in clinical medicine than in consumer skincare. It has been studied extensively in aesthetic and clinical contexts — particularly in injectable formats. Korean dermal aesthetics adopted it early, and Korean cosmetic chemists subsequently worked to translate the ingredient into topical, leave-on formulations.

The topical format is meaningfully different from the injectable. A leave-on serum delivers the ingredient to the surface layers of the skin; it does not replicate a dermal injection. Claims that describe a topical serum using the clinical, medical-sounding language of injectable procedures go beyond what a cosmetic product can legally state in Canada, and are not claims NUCLEORA makes.

What topical Sodium DNA is known for, in cosmetic contexts, is its role as a hydration-supporting active and its association with a smoother, visibly more radiant appearance of the skin. That is the scope in which NUCLEORA works.

What the INCI Name Tells You

If you are reading an ingredient list and see Sodium DNA, you are looking at PDRN. The two terms describe the same ingredient:

Some brands use "PDRN" in their marketing while the INCI list reads "Sodium DNA." Both refer to the same polydeoxyribonucleotide material.

Concentration: What "1% PDRN" Means

When a product states "1% PDRN" on its packaging, that figure typically refers to the percentage of the raw material (the Sodium DNA powder) in the finished formula — the same convention used across the K-beauty and PDRN topical category. The raw material itself is approximately 84–95% active polynucleotide; so the effective concentration of polynucleotide active in the finished product is slightly below the stated 1%.

This is the convention NUCLEORA follows: 1% refers to raw-material input. The effective polynucleotide active in the finished NUCLEORA PDRN Radiance Serum is approximately 0.84–0.95% w/w. That is how Metro Private Label, NUCLEORA's manufacturer, and the broader PDRN topical category communicate concentration.

PDRN in a Hydration-First Formulation

In NUCLEORA's serum, Sodium DNA is paired with a multi-humectant matrix — Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Beta-Glucan, Panthenol, and Propanediol — so the hydration story is built on several layers, not a single ingredient. The Sodium DNA is the hero active; the supporting cast addresses moisture from multiple angles.

The result is a lightweight, water-based serum that:

These are appearance and hydration claims, not therapeutic ones. That distinction is deliberate and, under Health Canada's Cosmetic Regulations, required.

Is PDRN Right for Sensitive Skin?

Because cosmetic-grade Sodium DNA is a purified nucleotide fraction — not a whole protein — it is not an inherently high-sensitisation ingredient. NUCLEORA's formulation is fragrance-free, contains no essential oils, and has passed ingredient safety screening against Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. It is formulated for sensitive skin.

If your skin is particularly reactive, patch testing before full use is always sensible, regardless of formulation.

Related Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PDRN in skincare?
PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotide. It is a cosmetic active derived from purified salmon DNA, listed on ingredient labels as Sodium DNA. In topical skincare it is used to support hydration and the appearance of radiance.

Is PDRN the same as Sodium DNA?
Yes. Sodium DNA is the INCI-standardised ingredient name for PDRN. When you see Sodium DNA on an ingredient label, that is the same material marketed as PDRN. Some formulas use the hydrolysed form, listed as Hydrolyzed DNA.

Is PDRN vegan?
No. Cosmetic-grade PDRN (Sodium DNA) is derived from salmon. It is not suitable for vegan formulations.

Can someone with a salmon allergy use a PDRN serum?
The purification process removes the protein fraction that drives seafood allergy; the finished ingredient is a nucleotide fraction. We do not claim the product is safe for people with seafood allergies — consumers with severe seafood allergies should consult their physician before using any salmon-derived ingredient.

What concentration of PDRN is effective in a topical serum?
The published topical category — primarily Korean-derived PDRN serums — typically uses raw-material concentrations in the 0.5–2% range. When a brand states "1% PDRN," this refers to raw-material input, which translates to approximately 0.84–0.95% effective polynucleotide active in the finished formula, depending on the supplier's active content specification.

Questions or concerns: safety@nucleoraskin.com

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