Is PDRN Vegan? Salmon PDRN vs Plant PDRN Explained

Short answer: No, traditional PDRN is not vegan. It is purified from the milt (sperm) of salmon or trout. Vegan alternatives now exist, made from plants such as ginseng, rose, camellia, centella and peony, or by microbial fermentation. They are animal-free, but their evidence is earlier-stage than salmon PDRN's.

We have not hands-on tested the products mentioned here: picks are editorial research based on published ingredient lists, format and UK availability checked in October 2026.

Is PDRN vegan? If you follow a vegan lifestyle, PDRN is one of the trickier ingredients to navigate, because the same label name can describe an animal or a plant ingredient. This guide explains where PDRN comes from, what vegan PDRN is, how the evidence compares, and how to check a label. For an overview of the ingredient itself, see is PDRN good for skin.

Key takeaways

• The PDRN used in medical research is purified from rainbow trout or chum salmon sperm DNA, so it is not vegan[1].

• Plant PDRN from ginseng, rose, camellia, centella or peony, and microbial PDRN, are animal-free alternatives.

• Plant PDRN has promising laboratory data and one small human study, but far less evidence than salmon PDRN[2,3,4].

• "Sodium DNA" on a label does not reveal the source. Look for fish ingredients or a named plant, and a recognised vegan trademark.

Why traditional PDRN is not vegan

The PDRN described in medical research is purified from the sperm DNA of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) or chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta)[1]. It is often marketed as "salmon DNA", and clinic treatments are nicknamed "salmon sperm facials". Because it is a fish-derived ingredient, it is not vegan, and many vegetarians avoid it too. Brands generally source it as a by-product of fish processing, but that does not change its status as an animal ingredient.

What is vegan PDRN?

Vegan PDRN, also called phyto-PDRN or plant PDRN, is made from DNA fragments taken from non-animal sources. Examples on the market include:

• Ginseng PDRN. VT Cosmetics uses PDRN from wild ginseng in its PDRN range, and a UK retailer describes its PDRN Hydrogel Mask as vegan[7].

• Rose PDRN. Haruharu Wonder uses rose-derived PDRN in its vegan PDRN serum.

• Camellia PDRN. Round Lab uses plant-derived PDRN from Jeju camellia in its Camellia Deep Collagen range[5].

• Centella (cica) PDRN. Brands such as SUPPURU have launched centella-derived PDRN[6].

• Green tea PDRN. innisfree describes its green tea PDRN as made through microbial fermentation[10].

• Microbial and recombinant PDRN. Some ingredient makers now produce PDRN with bacteria, avoiding both animals and crop variability.

Does vegan PDRN work as well as salmon PDRN?

Salmon PDRN has decades of medical research behind it, mostly from injections and wound healing[1]. Plant PDRN is far newer:

• A 2023 laboratory study found PDRN from Korean ginseng roots increased skin cell growth and improved barrier markers in cells and in an artificial skin model, through pathways similar to salmon PDRN[2]. It did not test people.

• A 2025 study of a cream containing 1% low-molecular-weight peony PDRN found a modest improvement in under-eye elasticity after four weeks and faster barrier recovery after irritation, compared with a cream without it. Only ten people took part, and the authors worked for the ingredient's manufacturer[3].

• Dermatologists reviewing plant PDRN describe the evidence as promising but at an early stage[4].

The fair summary is that plant PDRN is not yet proven equal to salmon PDRN. That said, evidence for any topical PDRN, salmon included, is limited, so the practical gap in a serum may be smaller than it sounds.

Salmon PDRN vs vegan PDRN

How to tell if a PDRN product is vegan

Both salmon and plant PDRN can be listed as Sodium DNA, because ingredient lists use standard ingredient names rather than sources[11]. Use these clues:

• Look for fish ingredients. "Milt Extract", "Salmon Egg Extract" or "Salmon" mean it is not vegan. The Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum lists both milt and salmon egg extracts, for example[9].

• Look for a named plant source. Brands using plant PDRN almost always say so, because it is a selling point.

• Check other animal ingredients. Many PDRN products also contain collagen (usually fish or bovine), honey, lanolin or carmine.

• Look for a recognised vegan trademark, such as the Vegan Society trademark, which is more reliable than the word "vegan" in a description[12].

• Be wary of retailer descriptions. We have seen a retailer describe a mask as "vegan" while the brand markets the same product as containing salmon PDRN. Check the brand's own information and the box.

Pharmacist’s tip: "Cruelty-free" and "vegan" are not the same thing. Cruelty-free refers to animal testing; vegan refers to ingredients. A salmon PDRN serum can be cruelty-free and still not vegan.

Is vegan PDRN better for sensitive skin?

Not automatically. Plant PDRN removes the fish allergy concern, which matters if you are allergic to fish or seafood. But sensitivity reactions usually come from the whole formula, especially fragrance and essential oils, rather than the PDRN source. A plant PDRN product with heavy fragrance can still irritate sensitive skin, while a fragrance-free salmon PDRN product may suit it well. If you have a fish allergy, choose plant PDRN; otherwise, judge the formula as a whole and patch test first.

A note on PDRN products with collagen

Several popular PDRN products pair PDRN with collagen. Unless the brand specifies a vegan collagen alternative, collagen is animal-derived. Medicube's PDRN Pink range, for example, uses salmon PDRN and hydrolysed collagen[9], so it is not suitable for vegans. See what is Medicube PDRN.

Who should choose vegan PDRN?

• Vegans and many vegetarians

• People with fish or seafood allergies, as explained in is PDRN safe

• Anyone concerned about the sustainability or ethics of fish-derived ingredients

If none of these apply and you want the type with the most research, salmon PDRN remains the established choice. Our guide to which PDRN is best compares every type.

The bottom line

Traditional PDRN comes from salmon or trout and is not vegan. Plant and microbial alternatives are widely available in Korean skincare and suit vegans and people with fish allergies. Their research is earlier-stage, so treat claims that vegan PDRN is "better" or "proven identical" with caution, and always check the full ingredient list.

FAQs

Is Medicube PDRN vegan?

No. Medicube's PDRN Pink range is marketed as containing salmon PDRN, and its ingredient lists include fish-derived ingredients[9].

Is Anua PDRN vegan?

Anua describes its PDRN as salmon DNA, so its PDRN products are not vegan[8].

Is VT PDRN vegan?

VT Cosmetics markets its PDRN range as using plant PDRN from wild ginseng[7]. Check each product's full ingredient list for other animal-derived ingredients.

Is PDRN halal or kosher?

That depends on the source and certification. Plant PDRN avoids fish-source questions, but look for the relevant certification on the pack.

Which vegan PDRN mask is best?

The VT PDRN Hydrogel Mask is the most widely available plant-PDRN option in the UK. See which PDRN mask is best.

Related reading

• PDRN in the UK, 2026: Salmon vs Vegan Plant PDRN

• Does Topical PDRN Work? Molecular Weight and Skin Penetration

• Which PDRN Is Best? Salmon, Plant, c-PDRN and PN Compared

• Which PDRN Serum Is Best? A Pharmacist's UK Shortlist

• Which PDRN Mask Is Best? Medicube vs VT vs Anua Compared

• Is PDRN Safe? Side Effects, Allergies and Who Should Avoid It

References

• Squadrito F, Bitto A, Irrera N, et al. Pharmacological activity and clinical use of PDRN. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2017;8:224.

• Lee KS, Lee S, Wang H, et al. Analysis of skin regeneration and barrier-improvement efficacy of polydeoxyribonucleotide isolated from Panax ginseng adventitious root. Molecules. 2023;28(21):7240.

• Bak SU, et al. Anti-aging efficacy of low-molecular-weight polydeoxyribonucleotide derived from Paeonia lactiflora. Int J Mol Sci. 2025;27(1):220.

• Ho R. Is vegan or plant PDRN as effective as salmon PDRN? Dermatologist commentary. Accessed October 2026.

• Round Lab. PDRN vs vegan PDRN: what's actually different? Accessed October 2026.

• SUPPURU introduces plant-derived PDRN alternative sourced from Centella asiatica. Press release. Accessed October 2026.

• Superdrug. VT PDRN Hydrogel Mask: product listing and ingredient list. Accessed October 2026.

• Ulta Beauty. Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum: product listing. Accessed October 2026.

• Beauty Bay. Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum: product listing and ingredient list. Accessed October 2026.

• The Beauty Edit. Inside innisfree's vegan PDRN line. Accessed October 2026.

• Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, as retained in UK law (UK Cosmetics Regulation), Article 19. legislation.gov.uk, 2009.

• The Vegan Society. The Vegan Trademark. Accessed October 2026.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a pharmacist, GP or other qualified healthcare professional. If you have a reaction or a medical concern, seek professional advice.