PDRN has become one of the most talked-about skincare ingredients of the last two years — but as its popularity grows, the market has quietly split in two. On one side: salmon PDRN, extracted from fish milt and backed by decades of pharmaceutical and dermatological research. On the other: vegan PDRN, derived from plants, yeast, or microorganisms, and positioned as an ethical, animal-free alternative.
Both carry the same name. Both appear on ingredient lists as variations of polydeoxyribonucleotide. But the science behind them, the evidence supporting them, and what each can actually deliver for your skin are meaningfully different — and worth understanding before you choose. SkinReset™ PDRN Serum uses pharmaceutical-grade salmon-derived Sodium DNA. This article explains why, and what it means if you are considering a vegan alternative.
Salmon PDRN is derived from fish milt and has an extensive clinical evidence base built over decades. Vegan PDRN is derived from plant or microbial sources and is emerging — with preclinical research showing promise, but no published human clinical trials on topical use as of mid-2025. Both target adenosine pathway participation, but they are not interchangeable in terms of evidence depth.
01 — What Each Type of PDRN Is
PDRN — Polydeoxyribonucleotide — is a short-chain DNA fragment. Regardless of source, the fundamental molecule is the same: a chain of deoxyribonucleotide units that contributes nucleotides and nucleosides that support adenosine-related signalling pathways. The difference lies in where those chains come from, how they are produced, and how extensively they have been studied.
Salmon PDRN (Sodium DNA) is extracted from the milt (reproductive tissue) of salmon species — primarily Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) and Oncorhynchus keta (chum salmon). It undergoes a pharmaceutical-grade extraction process: cell lysis, DNA isolation, controlled enzymatic hydrolysis to produce short-chain fragments of 50–2,000 base pairs, and extensive purification to remove endotoxins and residual proteins. On cosmetic ingredient lists, it appears as Sodium DNA. It has been used in injectable aesthetic medicine for decades — in products such as Rejuran — before transitioning into topical skincare.
Vegan PDRN (Phyto PDRN / L-PDRN) is derived from non-animal sources. Plant-derived versions — sometimes called phyto PDRN — are extracted from botanical materials including ginseng, rose, rice, green tea, centella, oat, and seaweed. Microbial versions — called L-PDRN — are produced through fermentation using lactic acid bacteria or yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). These aim to produce DNA fragments that mimic the molecular characteristics and intended biological activity of salmon PDRN, without animal sourcing.
Not all vegan PDRN is equivalent. Evidence documented for ginseng-derived PDRN, for example, cannot be applied to rice-derived or yeast-derived alternatives. Each source produces a distinct molecular profile. When evaluating a vegan PDRN product, the relevant question is: what evidence exists specifically for that source — not for "vegan PDRN" as a category.
02 — Sources of Vegan PDRN
The vegan PDRN category encompasses several distinct source types, each with a different production method and molecular profile:
Vegan PDRN sources often produce fragments with smaller molecular size than salmon PDRN, which may support availability in upper skin layers — though the clinical significance of this difference in topical use is not yet established in head-to-head research.
03 — The Shared Mechanism Goal
Both salmon and vegan PDRN target the same biological pathway. PDRN is understood to act via degradation into nucleotides and nucleosides that contribute to adenosine availability via the salvage pathway — rather than intact fragment binding directly to receptors. This pathway is associated in experimental and clinical research models with support for fibroblast activity, skin barrier function, and overall skin quality.
The mechanism is the same in principle. Where salmon and vegan PDRN diverge is in whether the specific fragments produced by each source actually deliver nucleotides that enter these pathways in sufficient quantity and at the right point in the skin to contribute to measurable biological responses — and how well this has been documented for each.
All DNA — regardless of source — shares the same four nucleotide building blocks: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. The claim that vegan PDRN "works the same way" as salmon PDRN at the receptor level is mechanistically plausible, but requires source-specific evidence to support it as a practical skincare claim. Sharing a mechanism goal is not the same as demonstrating equivalent outcomes.
04 — Mechanism of Action: Where They Align and Where They Differ
Both salmon and vegan PDRN share the same pathway goal — but the published science introduces an important nuance that most brands omit entirely.
The Core Pathway
PDRN does not bind to receptors as an intact molecule. The sequence is indirect: PDRN fragments are enzymatically degraded into nucleotides and nucleosides that contribute to adenosine availability via the salvage pathway → adenosine binds to the A2A receptor (a G protein-coupled receptor) → intracellular cAMP levels rise → protein kinase A (PKA) is activated → downstream cascades including PI3K/Akt and VEGF upregulation follow. This is the adenosine salvage pathway, and it is associated in experimental and clinical research models with support for fibroblast activity, skin barrier function, and overall skin quality. Both salmon and vegan PDRN target this pathway.
Bitto et al. (2017) — the most cited PDRN pharmacology reference — states that A2A receptor binding is a property of PDRN that appears to be linked to DNA origin, molecular weight, and manufacturing process. This means A2A activation is not a guaranteed property of any DNA fragment regardless of source. It has been extensively characterised in studies using salmon-derived PDRN. Whether a vegan source achieves equivalent A2A binding depends on its specific origin, fragment size, and how it was processed — and must be demonstrated independently for each source.
What Specific Vegan Sources Have Demonstrated
Two vegan PDRN sources have published mechanistic evidence worth noting:
Three Genuine Mechanistic Differences
1. Fragment size — different bioavailability profile. L-PDRN fragments have been reported in some studies to fall below 100 base pairs, depending on production method — compared to salmon PDRN's typical range of 200–800 bp within the broader 50–2,000 bp specification. Smaller fragments may interact with upper skin layers differently. Whether this translates to a meaningful advantage in topical use has not been established in human trials.
2. Antioxidant mechanism in some vegan sources. L-PDRN demonstrated DPPH free radical scavenging — antioxidant activity — in addition to A2A pathway participation. This is not a primary or well-characterised mechanism for salmon PDRN. Some phyto PDRN sources may carry plant co-actives with similar properties. This makes the mechanism of certain vegan PDRN sources broader — though whether this translates to superior skin outcomes in practice is not yet established.
3. Source-specific limitation — most vegan PDRN has no mechanism data. The A2A evidence above applies specifically to ginseng and L-PDRN. Rose-derived, rice-derived, oat-derived, seaweed-derived, and green tea-derived "PDRN" sources have limited or no published mechanistic evidence currently available confirming A2A receptor pathway participation. A product labelled "phyto PDRN" without a specified source is presenting a category claim with no documented mechanism behind it.
The pathway goal is shared. But A2A activation has been extensively characterised in studies using salmon-derived PDRN — and is linked to DNA origin, molecular weight, and manufacturing process. For vegan sources, the mechanism has only been confirmed in preclinical models for ginseng and Lactobacillus-derived PDRN — not for the broader category. Some vegan sources carry an additional antioxidant mechanism not primary to salmon PDRN. Most other vegan PDRN sources on the market have limited or no published mechanistic evidence currently available.
05 — The Evidence Gap
This is the most significant practical difference between salmon and vegan PDRN — and the one least often disclosed by brands marketing vegan alternatives.
Salmon PDRN has been studied in pharmaceutical and clinical contexts for several decades. Its use in injectable aesthetic medicine — including the well-documented Rejuran Skin Booster in South Korea — generated a substantial body of clinical and dermatological research covering mechanism, safety, tolerability, and observed skin outcomes. This evidence base was accumulated before PDRN entered topical skincare, giving it a level of clinical credibility unusual for a cosmetic active.
Vegan PDRN is an emerging category. As of mid-2025, evidence for vegan PDRN in skin applications is primarily preclinical — in vitro (cell culture) and ex vivo (tissue model) studies. There are no published human clinical trials on topical vegan PDRN as of that date. Some individual plant sources — notably ginseng-derived PDRN — have preclinical research supporting their activity profile, but findings from a single plant source cannot be generalised to all vegan PDRN products.
Salmon PDRN: Moderate to Strong — extensive preclinical and clinical evidence from injectable use; growing topical evidence base.
Vegan PDRN: Early — preclinical evidence for select sources (notably ginseng-derived); no published human clinical trials on topical use as of mid-2025. Emerging, not yet comparable.
This does not mean vegan PDRN is ineffective. It means the evidence is at an earlier stage of development — and that consumers should evaluate specific source evidence, not category claims. Vegan PDRN represents an evolving category, with ongoing research expected to further clarify its role in topical skincare.
06 — Side-by-Side Comparison
07 — Honest Limitations of Both
A fair comparison means acknowledging what neither type of PDRN has fully resolved.
PDRN molecules — salmon or vegan — face the same barrier presented by the stratum corneum. Clinical evidence for injectable PDRN does not automatically transfer to topical application. Both types require a considered delivery strategy — encapsulation, spicule micro-channelling, or other approaches — to support availability in upper skin layers.
This is the challenge that Boldpurity's SkinReset™ PDRN Serum is specifically formulated to address. Unlike conventional topical PDRN — where unencapsulated DNA fragments remain largely at the skin surface — SkinReset™ uses a patent-pending Dual Encapsulation Delivery Technology that reduces the PDRN to a nanoscale particle size. In vitro studies demonstrate that PDRN at this scale achieves improved interaction with skin layers compared to unencapsulated topical formats — addressing the delivery limitation that affects conventional PDRN serums.
A product labelled "vegan PDRN" may use ginseng, rice, seaweed, or yeast — each a different molecule with a different evidence profile. Evidence from one source cannot be assumed to apply to another. Brands that market "vegan PDRN" without specifying the source are presenting a category claim, not a documented ingredient claim.
Not all salmon PDRN is pharmaceutical-grade. Ungraded salmon PDRN — produced without GMP controls, fragment length management, or endotoxin testing — is available at lower cost and is used in some formulations. The presence of "Sodium DNA" on a label does not confirm the grade or purity of the material used.
Injectable PDRN concentrations are well-characterised. For topical products, effective concentration ranges are still being explored by the industry. Claims that a product contains "high PDRN" are not meaningful without reference to a defined effective range for that delivery format.
08 — How to Choose
The choice between salmon and vegan PDRN depends on what you are optimising for — evidence depth, formulation ethics, or additional ingredient benefits. Here is an honest framework:
- Choose salmon PDRN if you want the most extensively researched option, with a pharmaceutical-grade input material and a documented safety and activity profile
- Choose vegan PDRN if animal-free formulation is a priority and you are comfortable with an earlier-stage evidence base
- For either: ask what grade of PDRN is used, what delivery system supports it, and whether the brand can specify the source — not just the category
- Avoid: products that claim "vegan PDRN works the same as salmon PDRN" without source-specific evidence to support it
- Avoid: salmon PDRN products that do not confirm pharmaceutical-grade Sodium DNA — grade matters as much as source
SkinReset™ PDRN Serum uses pharmaceutical-grade Sodium DNA — the same material used in the clinical research that established PDRN's dermatological profile — delivered via a patent-pending Dual Encapsulation system. If your preference is the most evidence-grounded PDRN formulation available in a topical serum, that is the rationale behind SkinReset™.
Pharmaceutical-grade Sodium DNA · 5% Niacinamide · Sepiwhite™ · Dual Encapsulation Delivery Technology · cGMP Certified · Patent Pending
Shop SkinReset™ Serum →Frequently Asked Questions
Vegan PDRN (also called phyto PDRN or L-PDRN) is derived from plant sources — such as ginseng, rice, rose, green tea, oat, centella, or seaweed — or from microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria or yeast through fermentation. Different brands use different sources, and the molecular profile varies accordingly.
As of mid-2025, salmon PDRN has a significantly larger evidence base — built over decades of pharmaceutical and injectable aesthetic use. Vegan PDRN evidence is primarily from preclinical studies, with no published human clinical trials on topical vegan PDRN. This does not mean vegan PDRN is ineffective, but its evidence base is not yet at a comparable stage.
Phyto PDRN refers to polydeoxyribonucleotide fragments derived from plant sources. The prefix "phyto" indicates plant origin. It is distinct from salmon-derived PDRN (Sodium DNA) and microbial-derived alternatives such as L-PDRN from lactic acid bacteria fermentation.
This is mechanistically plausible — both aim to degrade into nucleotides that participate in adenosine A2A receptor pathways. However, whether all plant-derived sources achieve this to the same degree in skin is not yet established. Evidence varies by source, and findings from ginseng-derived PDRN, for example, cannot be applied to rice or seaweed-derived alternatives.
Some vegan PDRN sources — particularly those derived from centella, oat, or rice — may carry additional soothing or antioxidant properties from the plant matrix. Whether this consistently translates to reduced irritation compared to pharmaceutical-grade salmon PDRN has not been established in direct comparative research. Individual skin response varies.
If the priority is the most extensively researched option with a pharmaceutical-grade safety and activity profile, salmon PDRN (Sodium DNA) is the more evidence-grounded choice. If animal-free formulation is important to you and you are comfortable with an earlier-stage evidence base, vegan PDRN from a clearly identified, research-supported source is a reasonable consideration. For either, delivery system and ingredient grade matter as much as source.
The evidence-grounded salmon PDRN choice — GMP certified, patent-pending Dual Encapsulation delivery, formulated by an IFSCC-recognised cosmetic scientist.
- Ho R. "Is Vegan or Plant PDRN as Effective as Salmon PDRN?" Dr Rachel Ho Blog, 2025. drrachelho.com
- Bitto A, et al. "Pharmacological Activity and Clinical Use of PDRN." Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2017. PMC5405115
- Lee H, et al. "Analysis of Skin Regeneration and Barrier-Improvement Efficacy of PDRN Isolated from Panax Ginseng." Molecules, 28(21), 2023. PMC10649580
- Chae Y, et al. "First Report on Microbial-Derived Polydeoxyribonucleotide: A Sustainable Alternative to Salmon-Based PDRN." Current Issues in Molecular Biology, 2025.
- Chung YH, et al. "Polydeoxyribonucleotide: A Promising Skin Anti-Aging Agent." Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022. ScienceDirect
- Kim N, et al. "Skin Regeneration Efficacy of PDRN from Panax Ginseng." PMC, 2023. PMC10649580
- Jeong HS, et al. "Polynucleotides in Aesthetic Medicine." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(15), 2024. MDPI
- Guida S, et al. "Polydeoxyribonucleotides as Emerging Therapeutics." Applied Sciences (MDPI), 15(19), 2025. MDPI
