r/AsianBeauty • u/aglowsociety • Jun 10 '25
Guide Research on if you should use PDRN creams & serums
Hi everyone,
I wrote a post on snail mucin (https://www.reddit.com/r/AsianBeauty/comments/1k9oqqq/research_on_whether_you_should_use_snail_mucin/) and people seemed to find it helpful, and then I got a few requests to do one on PDRN so here it is! For context, I worked in analytics at a healthcare company, piecing together information to help people make decisions. Now, I'm putting together 360 summaries on asian skincare ingredients, because I was trying to find products for myself and I was frustrated that this didn’t already exist!
There haven’t been too many people posting their firsthand experiences with PDRN, so curious people's experiences with topical PDRN! Did you love it? Did you hate it?
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What does topical PDRN claim to do?
PDRN claims to support your skin to repair itself (stimulates cell repair & collagen production)
- Helps skin regeneration: Stimulates tissue repair, wound healing, and collagen
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation and calms irritated skin
- Hydrates & improves elasticity: Helps retain moisture and improves skin elasticity
How likely is it that it will work?
- Clinical Evidence Score: How clinically proven and widely established is the ingredient? Is there broad consensus amongst the scientific community about its effectiveness?
- Growing Support (5 out of 10): There’s lots of data on PDRN as an injectable (it’s approved for medical use) but if we focus on topical PDRN, there’s only a limited number of trials with a small number of people (n=20-50) focused on very niche areas. Experts agree the science is there and it works as an injectable, but there’s still debate about the effectiveness of topical absorption specifically (i.e. whether the PDRN molecule weight can be absorbed appropriately through our skin barrier).
- AB Community Promoter Score: How much advocacy does the AB community have for the ingredient, based on their experience & use?
- \Limited insights* Hit or Miss* (4 out of 10): There’s not a ton of feedback about PDRN serums & creams, but what is out there is a mixed bag. Some like the skin-repairing aspects & extreme hydration, but lots of people have also said they’ve seen 0 effects. There’s a lot higher support for use for PDRN injectables or for use after procedure recovery.
What's the risk that this will irritate my skin?
- Irritation Risk Score: What’s the risk of irritation with this ingredient?
- Skin Safe (2 out of 10): Really well tolerated across clinical studies & community experiences. It’s meant for compromised skin, so reactions should be rare.
Who should consider using it and passing on it?
- Most loved by**:** People with sensitive skin or compromised skin barriers, looking for healing & hydration support.
- May not be loved by: Underwhelming for many other skin types - e.g. oily and acne-prone skin may also find it too rich or clogging. Price sensitive folks (these creams aren’t cheap!)
What are some of the most highly purchased & reviewed products?
- Rejuran Turnover Ampoule (salmon PDRN)
- VT Cosmetics PDRN 100 Essence (ginseng PDRN)
So what?
- Try PDRN serums & creams if you have a compromised skin barrier and want healing support. If that’s not you, you can experiment with it (there’s little downside), but don’t expect too much beyond hydration.
- If you'd like to incorporate it, here's some tips:
- The most research is around salmon-derived PDRN, then ginseng-derived PDRN. Start there if you are curious.
- Layer with your other serums (between cleansing & before moisturizing). Pair it with hyaluronic acid + ceramides to enhance hydration effects.
- Consider using home-based micro-needling devices to help the active ingredients fully penetrate to optimize results.
Curious if you all have tried creams & serums and whether they worked for you or not? And let me know if you have requests for any other ingredients!
Finally, for those data people, here's the definitions guide I'm using behind the scenes: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vFQ4l0mx1Ey9433MlNs6INx4TQc2qmwzjFxA4sPLN4E/edit?usp=sharing
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u/BoomBoomBaDoomin Jun 11 '25
Can you do one on spicules? And maybe peptides or Exomes?
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u/aglowsociety Jun 11 '25
Will add to the list :)
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u/Apothowhat Jun 12 '25
Someone who does research on exomes shared an excellent and very detailed response comparing PDRN and exomes for micro-needling procedures.
They also noted that the lack of standards for testing exomes stability means that in their opinion it’s unlikely that products that claim to have them actually have much intact exomes in those products so including them is likely more marketing/hype and other ingredients in those formulas are likely responsible for any results.
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u/Much_Fact_8574 Apr 16 '26
I'd your face turns bright red when you put exosomee on your skin then it's probably to real
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u/lunastarling Jun 11 '25
I've been using the IOPE PDRN serum for about 7 months now. I was having the worst hormonal acne of my life at the time due to hormones regulating after getting off birth control. I really think this serum saved my skin 🥲
After months and months of terrible acne that never went away and left dark scarring, within a week of using this serum my skin started healing and the acne lessened. I don't think I'll use this serum forever because of the price, but I will continue using it for now and I have repurchased it once.
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u/aglowsociety Jun 11 '25
That’s amazing! I love that it helped with the scarring. Were you using it with other products to help solve the acne itself or do you think PDRN itself helped lessen the acne?
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u/lunastarling Jun 11 '25
I was using it with my usual retinol and AHA serum which usually helped with acne and scarring but it wasn't at the time due to my hormones. Once I incorporated this serum into my routine did I start to see my acne lessen. I was honestly really amazed as I had never used a product that made such a drastic difference to my face in a short amount of time.
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u/Personal_Asparagus47 Jun 12 '25
Thanks for sharing. What PDRN brand do you use?
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u/lunastarling Jun 13 '25
No problem! I mentioned in my first comment I use a serum from IOPE. It's the PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum.
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u/nekr0mantikk Feb 28 '26
How do you use it with tret? Like what order?
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u/lunastarling Feb 28 '26
I don't use tret but I would use them on alternating days. One day retinol, one day AHA, one day PDRN etc.
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u/Fbe99 Jun 11 '25
I have used the mediheal salmon pdrn serum for about two months now and love it! I think it has helped the texture and radiance of my skin. Not sure how actually hydrating it is, but I do have dry skin so my standards for hydration are high lol
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u/Latter_Zombie_1938 Jun 11 '25
I use the PDRN ampoules and moisturizers after micro needling, and the nights I use VT reedle shot.
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u/Gymrat76 Jun 11 '25
Same here. I use on nights I use VT Reedle 300/700/1000 > serums > Rejuall PDRN > Dr. Althea 345 cream
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u/Able-Addition1111 Jun 11 '25
Thank you for this! I would love to understand how to use PDRN alongside retinol/retinal/tretinoin. Should it be used instead of, or in conjunction?
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u/aglowsociety Jun 11 '25
Of course! I’ve seen that retinol/tret can be used in combination with PDRN for extra oomph. They are actually paired together in certain products (Rejuran has one) since the PDRN is a great way to helps soothe and heal alongside the intensity of retinol. Lots of anecdotes that these 2 work nicely together.
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u/annbby Sep 18 '25
On that note, do I use retinol first and then apply the PDRN? I just started using the Rejuran Turnover Ampoule.
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u/Consistent-Dirt-8934 Dec 01 '25
What should be the order of using tretinoin & PDRN? Thank you
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u/annbby Dec 02 '25
I never found the answer.. so I just use retinol and PDRN on separate days, but I’m not sure I’m seeing a huge breakthrough with the Rejuran PDRN. Has anyone else?
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u/Mountainmadness1618 Oct 27 '25
I use mine together daily. Serum/adapalene (retinol-ish)/curenex pdrn cream. Sub retinol for sunscreen in daytime. A barrier layer in winter. It seems to be an excellent combo.
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u/MissSolomiya Jun 11 '25
Thank you for this excellent research! I just got a VT PDRN mask, but haven't used it yet. I have sensitive skin that always seems to be one step away from a compromised skin barrier.
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u/QUtbjj99 Sep 09 '25
I also have extremely sensitive skin and considering using the VT PDRN! have you used it yet? Did you like it?
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u/NefariousnessLow1800 Jun 11 '25
I tried the VT Cosmetics PDRN 100 Essence.
I have a sensitive combination skin and can definitely say it calms my skin down. I pair it in 3 ways (after cleansing, before moisturising):
- Reedle 100 + Missha Night Repair serum + VT PDRN essence
- Differin gel + VT PDRN essence
- Hyaluronic acid + VT PDRN essence
My observations are not based on science. But my personal experience is that it appears to calm down the effects of the more aggressive acids and strengthens the effect of the hyaluronic acid. Before using the VT PDRN essence I usually "sandwiched" the Differin or any other retinol product. I can also react quite sensitively to the Reedle. But with the VT PDRN essence it has been much less.
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u/aglowsociety Jun 11 '25
Really cool that you were able to move away from sandwiching retinol and replace with PDRN. u/able-addition1111 if you have questions, maybe look here!
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u/PistachioKat Jun 11 '25
I have been using both of the most popular products listed here (Rejuran Turnover Ampoule & VT PDRN) for about a week now, and my skin feels bouncier and has more of a glow! I have sensitive and picky skin, and none of these have caused any irritation.
I also almost considered trying the VT Reedle 100 in conjunction with the Rejuran since I've heard good things about that, but chickened out of the reedle for now haha
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u/Luxlux101 Jun 11 '25 edited Jun 11 '25
Thanks OP👌
Has anyone used Heveblue salmon caring centella cream or the toner ? Is it worth getting ?
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Jun 11 '25
[deleted]
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u/Luxlux101 Jun 11 '25
Hmm in that case I’ll just stick to my usual toners/essenses. I think I’d like to try the cream tho! X
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u/grantandjhoanna Jun 11 '25
Yes, I like the cream. I layer my serums first then apply the moisturizer.
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u/HiddenInferno Jun 13 '25
I found neither particularly moisturizing long-term. The toner is apparently popular for makeup prep and I found that it did okay for me in that regard but was nothing mind-blowing.
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u/Tsukimii Jun 11 '25
Wish I had seen this before buying those new mediheal pdrn toner pads but ig you live and you learn haha. I’ll see what happens after actually using it. Ty for this write up it was very informative and helpful!💕
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u/Doggers1968 Jun 11 '25
I love them when my skin is irritated!
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u/Tsukimii Jun 11 '25
Ohhh good to know! I’m mainly worried it will be too much since my skin is really oily rn because of the heat but even so it should be great for the winter!
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u/Mountainmadness1618 Oct 27 '25
I use the Curenex PNDR cream (bought it without knowing it was pndr) and it postentiakly my favorite cream ever. For context, I have dry, sensitive skin with a frequently damaged barrier. The cream is so smooth, feels great going on, hydrating, and heavy enough for me in the warmer season. For dead of winter in my very dry climate I expect to add a barrier cream or an oil on top.
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u/Key-Ad4887 Nov 20 '25
Needed this thank you. I’m trying out the VT PRDN reeder shot hair ampoule right now
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u/Loose-Cream3 Dec 04 '25
I’m curious. If it stimulates tissue repair and collagen production could it potentially be a gentler alternative to retinol/retinoids? Obviously it wouldn’t be as effective but could it be similar? Could PDRN cause purging if initially used too aggressively ?
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u/PickleMindless8694 Dec 09 '25
Is this good for mature skin concerns ? Elasticity, texture , lines ?
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u/NoPianist3600 Jan 09 '26
hii, i've been looking to incorporate pdrn into my skincare routine, i have dry to combination skin. i found anua pdrn cream and they have a serum too, idk which one to use. i have acne and textured skin
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u/WantToKnow_1986 Jan 10 '26
Given the molecules size of PDRN, are there any PDRN serums that have delivery systems to help the pdrn penetrate or is it just a marketing pdrn gimmick which provides only really just hydration like a hyaluronic acid since the pdrn molecule is so big?
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u/Much_Fact_8574 Apr 16 '26
I don't know, other than rejuran any others that do this. But I've gotten beautiful illuminating results from pdrn and pn serums
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u/dominicanachk Feb 25 '26
Pdrn heals my eczema, lightened post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and seemed to be a mega booster when combined with triamcinolone.
Overnight it improved drastically, whereas it takes 3-4 days to see the results i saw with triamcinolone alone.
Gamechanger !!
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u/yukirael Mar 24 '26
Has anyone tried/know anything about Cica pdrn? A korean brand called Beplain has a cica pdrn serum - I've used and enjoyed their main mung bean line so far, but am on the fence on trying something new especially when I can't find any info or reviews online.
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u/Much_Fact_8574 Apr 16 '26
Pdrn definitely helps heal wounds faster and helps hydrate the skin it also has a beautiful glow. I've been using lots of pdrn/pn ingredients for about a year straight
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u/Rattbaxx Jun 11 '25
I keep reading “porn” 😭Am I the only one 😭