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PDRN in the UK, 2026: Salmon vs Vegan Plant PDRN and Where the Market Is Heading

Editorial research review ·Written by Korean PDRN Editorial Team· Published 5 Nov 2026

On this page · 9 sections

Quick answer

PDRN moved from niche K-beauty ingredient to the UK high street in 2026. Boots named it one of the ingredients "becoming mainstream" and launched an £8 own-brand PDRN serum, while Superdrug reported PDRN product sales up 167% year on year in March 2026. Two kinds of PDRN are on sale: salmon (or trout)-derived PDRN, which has the research history, and plant or microbial "vegan PDRN", which is newer. Plant PDRN is not proven to be equivalent to salmon PDRN, and reviews say its evidence is still mainly preclinical.

Trend status (UK)Mainstream in 2026, sold by Boots, Superdrug and specialist K-beauty retailers
Salmon PDRNTraditional source; the basis of most research; not vegan
Plant / "phyto" PDRNVegan-friendly; mostly lab data; not shown to be equivalent
Biggest buying mistakeAssuming every product labelled "PDRN" contains the same material
Last updatedNovember 2026

Independent educational content. Not medical advice.

In this guide

How PDRN went mainstream in the UK

Three signals from UK retailers show how fast PDRN has moved:

  • Boots Beauty & Wellness Trends Report 2026 (published February 2026). Built on data from more than 17 million Boots Advantage Card holders, it reported a fivefold rise in K-beauty sales and "a Korean skincare product selling every 11 seconds". It named PDRN, centella asiatica and exosomes as ingredients becoming mainstream [1]. Its featured products included a Boots Hydrating PDRN Serum at £8 and a Dr. Reju-All PDRN cream at £69.90 [1].
  • Superdrug said products containing PDRN were up 167% year on year in March 2026, with Reju-All singled out, as it expanded K-beauty to around 400 stores [2].
  • Price spread. UK PDRN products now range from under £10 own-brand serums to £60–£70+ creams, plus clinic polynucleotide treatments costing far more.

For wider context, see our UK Korean skincare trends 2026 research page.

A note on market-size forecasts. You will see press releases predicting multi-billion-dollar PDRN markets. They are usually paid reports with undisclosed methods, so we don't repeat their figures.

Why the trend took off

  • Clinic halo. "Salmon DNA" polynucleotide injections became a widely discussed UK aesthetic treatment, and skincare borrowed the story. See PDRN skincare vs salmon DNA facials.
  • K-beauty growth. Korean brands such as Medicube, Anua, VT and Reju-All pushed PDRN serums, toners and pads into UK retail.
  • Science-sounding but gentle. PDRN is marketed as a "repair" ingredient that is gentler than retinoids. That appeals to people with sensitive skin and to the preventative-ageing trend that Boots highlighted [1].
  • Price drop. Own-brand launches at around £8 moved PDRN from luxury to impulse buy.

Salmon PDRN vs plant (vegan) PDRN

Salmon / trout PDRNPlant or microbial "PDRN"
SourceDNA purified from salmonid sperm (milt) [3]Plant callus, roots or cell culture (e.g. peony), algae, or bacteria (e.g. Lactobacillus sakei) [4][5][6]
Vegan?NoUsually yes, but check the brand's statement
Research historyDecades of medical use and most published studies, including wound-care trials [3]Newer; "predominantly preclinical" according to a 2026 review [4]
EquivalenceReference material"Should not be construed as demonstrating clinical equivalence" to animal PDRN [4]
Label wording"Sodium DNA", "PDRN", "salmon DNA"Plant extract names plus "phyto-PDRN", "vegan PDRN" or "plant DNA"
CharacterisationPharmaceutical PDRN is defined by fragment size and purity (> 95%) [3]Often unreported; reviews call for fragment-length, purity and RNA-content data [4]

What the plant PDRN research shows so far

  • A 2026 review of plant-derived PN/PDRN found overlapping lab signals with classic PDRN, such as skin-cell repair and matrix effects. It warned that the A2A receptor mechanism "has not been directly established for most plant-derived" preparations, and that head-to-head studies are limited [4].
  • A peony-derived low-molecular-weight PDRN improved skin-barrier recovery and eye-area elasticity in a small human test (n = 10) over 2–4 weeks [5].
  • A serum with PDRN made by a bacterium (Lactobacillus sakei) was described as well tolerated after procedures, in an eight-patient case series [6].
  • A red microalgae extract rich in a polysaccharide and natural PDRN activated the A2A receptor in a cell model and showed hydration benefits [7].

Bottom line: plant PDRN is a legitimate area of research, and it may suit people who avoid animal ingredients. It is a different material, though, and "vegan PDRN" on a label is a marketing description, not a standard. Read more in Is PDRN vegan?

Sustainability and ethics

Salmon PDRN is usually described as a by-product of fish processing. Brands rarely publish traceability details. Plant and fermentation sources avoid animal inputs but bring their own questions about extraction and purity. If this matters to you, ask the brand for the source species and supplier, not only the "vegan" logo.

What to expect next (2027)

These are our editorial expectations, not forecasts:

  • More plant and fermented PDRN as brands chase vegan claims. Expect more "phyto" and "biotech" launches.
  • More delivery claims: liposomal, "nano" and low-molecular-weight PDRN. See Does topical PDRN work?
  • Pressure on claims. As PDRN goes mass-market, wording such as "regenerating" or "injection in a bottle" is likely to draw more scrutiny under UK cosmetic claims rules. See PDRN and polynucleotides in the UK: the rules.
  • Clinic regulation catching up. England's planned licensing scheme and Scotland's 2026 law will shape how polynucleotide treatments are sold.

How to choose in 2026

  1. Decide salmon or plant first. If you are vegan or allergic to fish, choose a clearly stated plant source and patch-test. If you want the material closest to the research, choose salmon-derived PDRN listed as Sodium DNA.
  2. Ignore ppm bragging. Concentration without fragment size and formula data does not predict results.
  3. Judge the base formula. Humectants, ceramides and peptides often do most of the visible work.
  4. Compare like with like. Use our UK PDRN Formulation Index and best PDRN skincare UK roundup.

Frequently asked questions

Is PDRN still a trend in the UK in 2026?

Yes. Boots named it one of the ingredients becoming mainstream in its 2026 trends report, and Superdrug reported PDRN product sales up 167% year on year in March 2026 [1][2].

Is salmon PDRN better than plant PDRN?

Salmon PDRN has far more research behind it. Plant PDRN may work differently, and a 2026 review says its evidence is mainly preclinical and should not be read as equivalent [4].

Is vegan PDRN real PDRN?

It is DNA-derived material from a non-animal source, but there is no agreed standard for calling it PDRN. Its fragment size, purity and activity can differ from salmon PDRN [4].

Is salmon PDRN made from salmon sperm?

Yes. Traditional PDRN is purified from the sperm (milt) of salmon or trout, then processed into DNA fragments [3]. The finished ingredient is purified DNA, not "sperm" in the product.

Where can I buy PDRN skincare in the UK?

PDRN products are sold at Boots, Superdrug, specialist K-beauty retailers and online marketplaces. Check that the full ingredient list and a UK Responsible Person are shown.

Where to go next

References

  1. Boots UK. Boots releases 2026 Beauty & Wellness Trends Report alongside line-up of trending new brands (12 February 2026). Newsroom · Report PDF

  2. Retail Times. Superdrug expands K-beauty offer to 400 stores (April 2026). Link

  3. Nguyen, Wang, Nguyen, et al. Recent advances on polydeoxyribonucleotide extraction and its novel application in cosmeceuticals. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024. DOI · PubMed

  4. Kim, Lee, et al. Plant-Derived Polynucleotides/Polydeoxyribonucleotides in Skin Biomaterials: Delivery Platforms and Bioactivity Attribution. J Funct Biomater. 2026. DOI · PubMed

  5. Bak, Jung, et al. Anti-Aging Efficacy of Low-Molecular-Weight Polydeoxyribonucleotide Derived from Paeonia lactiflora. Int J Mol Sci. 2025. DOI · PubMed

  6. Wu, Guénin, et al. Real-World Cases Using Phyto Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) Serum. J Drugs Dermatol. 2026. DOI · PubMed

  7. Havas, Krispin, et al. Hyaluronic Acid-like Skin Plumping and Radiance Benefits of a Sulfated Exopolysaccharide- and Natural PDRN-Rich Extract. Mar Drugs. 2026. DOI · PubMed

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