PDRN for Eczema: Can It Help Dry, Itchy Skin? Evidence

Editorial research review ·Written by Khalid Anwar, Clinical Pharmacist, UK (GPhC 2219283)· Published 7 Nov 2026

Short answer: PDRN is not an eczema treatment. Emollients used every day and prescribed steroid creams during flares remain the main treatments. Research on polynucleotides is early: lab and mouse studies and a four-person case series of injections, with no controlled trials in people. A fragrance-free PDRN cream is optional and should not replace emollients.

PDRN for eczema is a growing question as "barrier repair" products become popular. Atopic eczema causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin and affects many children and adults in the UK. It needs consistent moisturising and, during flares, medical treatment. This guide explains what PDRN research shows, whether PDRN skincare is safe for eczema-prone skin and how to fit it around proven treatments. For dry skin routines, see our Korean skincare routine for dry skin.

Key takeaways

NHS advice says emollients and topical corticosteroids are the main treatments for atopic eczema; emollients should be used at least twice a day[1].
In a mouse model of eczema, topical polynucleotides reduced inflammation and water loss and restored filaggrin, a key barrier protein[2].
In lab studies, polynucleotides reduced inflammatory signals in skin and immune cells[3].
A 2026 case series of four people reported improvement after polynucleotide injections, but had no control group[4].

How eczema affects the skin

In atopic eczema, the skin barrier does not hold water well and lets irritants in more easily. Many people have changes in filaggrin, a protein that helps form the barrier. The immune system also overreacts, causing inflammation and itch. Scratching damages the barrier further, creating an itch-scratch cycle. Common triggers include soap, detergents, pets, pollen, house-dust mites, heat, infections and stress[1].

What the evidence says about PDRN for eczema

The research is early and mostly comes from the lab and animals:

Mouse study, 2025: topical polynucleotides reduced eczema severity scores, IgE levels and transepidermal water loss, and restored filaggrin. Combining polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid worked better than polynucleotides alone[2]. Some authors worked for a polynucleotide company.
Lab study, 2026: polynucleotides lowered several inflammatory messengers linked to eczema in human skin cells and immune cells[3].
Case series, 2026: four people with atopic eczema had polynucleotide injections and reported less redness and itch and better hydration, with no significant side effects[4]. The authors noted the lack of validated scores, objective measures, long-term follow-up and a control group, and described this use as off-label[4].
Expert opinion, 2026: a panel suggested polynucleotides for barrier repair in eczema and rosacea, while stating that evidence remains limited[5].

There are no randomised trials of PDRN in people with eczema. Lab and mouse findings often do not carry over to patients, and four uncontrolled cases cannot show benefit. PDRN is not proven to treat eczema.

Practical tip: The most important eczema treatment is often under-used: generous emollient, at least twice a day and after washing. A PDRN cream can be one of your moisturisers if it suits you, but it is not a substitute for a prescribed treatment during a flare.

Is PDRN skincare safe for eczema?

PDRN itself is not a known irritant. The issue, again, is the full formula. Eczema-prone skin reacts to fragrance, essential oils, preservatives and some plant extracts. Many Korean PDRN products are lightly scented. Choose fragrance-free products with short ingredient lists and barrier ingredients like ceramides, glycerin and panthenol. Do not apply new products to broken, weeping or infected skin.

Better choices	Avoid during eczema-prone periods
Fragrance-free PDRN cream	Fragranced serums and toners
Ceramide and glycerin formulas	Essential oils
Soap substitutes[1]	Foaming cleansers and soap
Thick creams or ointments on very dry areas	Exfoliating acids and retinol on eczema patches

How to fit PDRN around eczema treatment

Wash with a soap substitute rather than soap[1].
Apply your emollient generously, at least twice a day[1].
During a flare, use your prescribed steroid cream as directed, usually before or well apart from your moisturiser.
Use a fragrance-free PDRN cream on the face or non-flaring areas if you like it.
Patch test any new product on a small area for several days.
Keep a note of products and triggers so you can spot patterns.

When to see a GP

Book an appointment if you have symptoms of eczema or your treatments are not helping[1]. Get urgent advice if eczema becomes blistered, crusty, weeping, painful, hot or swollen, suddenly worsens, or you feel unwell with a high temperature, as this can mean infection[1]. Your GP or a pharmacist can advise on the right emollient and steroid strength.

Can you have PDRN injections if you have eczema?

Some practitioners offer polynucleotides to people with eczema-prone skin, but this is off-label and evidence is limited to a small case series and expert opinion[4,5]. Do not have injections into active eczema, broken or infected skin. If you are considering them for cosmetic reasons, make sure your eczema is well controlled first and tell your practitioner about your condition and treatments.

Who should take care

Fish allergy: most PDRN is salmon-derived[6]. People with eczema are more likely to have other allergies, so check carefully.
Children: use products recommended by your GP or pharmacist; do not experiment with new skincare on children's eczema.
Infected or weeping skin: seek medical advice before applying anything new[1].
Contact allergy: if you react to many products, ask about patch testing at a dermatology clinic.

Why barrier support matters in eczema

The skin barrier works like a brick wall: skin cells are the bricks and fats such as ceramides are the mortar. In eczema, gaps in this wall let water out and irritants in. Emollients work by sealing and softening the skin, reducing water loss and itch. That is why they are used every day, not just during flares[1]. The interest in polynucleotides comes from early findings that they may support barrier proteins like filaggrin[2], but this has only been shown in mice so far.

The bottom line

Emollients used generously, soap substitutes and prescribed steroid creams during flares are the foundation of eczema care. PDRN is not an eczema treatment: lab, mouse and four-person case-series findings are not evidence that it helps people. A fragrance-free PDRN cream is optional and should not replace your emollient.

FAQs

Can PDRN cure eczema?

No. There are no trials showing PDRN treats eczema in people.

Is PDRN cream good for eczema-prone skin?

It is optional. Use emollients as your main treatment[1]; a fragrance-free PDRN cream should not replace them.

Can I use PDRN with steroid cream?

Ask your pharmacist. Apply the steroid as prescribed and space it from moisturisers as advised.

Are polynucleotide injections used for eczema?

Rarely and off-label, with very limited evidence[4].

Can PDRN cause eczema to flare?

There are no data on how often PDRN irritates eczema-prone skin. Fragrance and some other ingredients are known triggers.

References

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.