Rejuran vs PDRN: Polynucleotide Injections and PDRN Skincare Explained

Quick answer

PharmaResearch's Rejuran injectable range uses sodium polynucleotide (PN). In published research, PDRN usually refers to shorter DNA fragments than PN. A cosmetic ingredient label may list Sodium DNA, but that name alone does not give the material's chain length, source or concentration.[1][3]

A PDRN serum or cream is a cosmetic you apply to intact skin. A Rejuran injection is a procedure performed by a trained medical professional. Clinical research on injections and other procedures cannot establish how a cosmetic serum or cream will perform.[2][3]

In this guide

• What is Rejuran?
• PN versus PDRN: what is the difference?
• Is Rejuran the same as a PDRN cream?
• What the evidence shows
• Safety and UK considerations
• Who might consider each option
• Frequently asked questions
• References

What is Rejuran?

Rejuran is a brand from the South Korean company PharmaResearch. This guide compares its injectable range with cosmetic skincare. The manufacturer's instructions identify Rejuran, Rejuran i and Rejuran s as injectable products containing sodium polynucleotide. PharmaResearch also uses the Rejuran name for a separate cosmetics range.[3][5]

Ask the practitioner which product and model they intend to use and why. Check the intended use and precautions in the instructions for that model.[3]

PN versus PDRN: what is the difference?

PN and PDRN are both DNA-derived materials. A 2025 review in Pharmaceutics describes the main distinction as chain length. It uses PN for longer chains and PDRN for shorter fragments. This is a description of how the terms are used in the research, and it does not identify the molecular weight of an individual product.[1]

What this means in practice:

• PDRN is used in some medical preparations. In cosmetics marketed as PDRN, you may see Sodium DNA on the ingredient list.
• PN is the form most associated with clinic skin boosters such as Rejuran Healer.
• Neither name tells you the dose, purity or source of a specific product. Those depend on the manufacturer.

For a fuller comparison of formats, see our guide to which PDRN is most effective.

Is Rejuran the same as a PDRN cream?

No. They share a DNA-derived origin and little else:

A cream labelled "PDRN" does not deliver what an injection delivers. Some skincare products borrow names or imagery from clinic treatments; a similar-sounding name is not evidence of a shared formula. Our Dr Reju All review covers one example of a skincare brand with a clinic-style name.

What the evidence shows

A systematic review of randomised trials covered several methods, including injections, topical PN alongside radiofrequency microneedling, and PDRN ointment on skin graft donor sites. These are different procedures and treatments. They do not show how an everyday PDRN serum or cream performs on intact skin. The review also identified risks of bias in several trials.[2]

In one trial of 27 people, researchers compared a PN injection on one side of the face with a hyaluronic acid injection on the other. Some skin measurements differed, but the overall aesthetic improvement scores did not differ significantly.[6] For the research on topical preparations, see what PDRN is and what the evidence supports.

Safety and UK considerations

The manufacturer's instructions for the Rejuran models above list potential injection site reactions and warn that injecting into a blood vessel can damage tissue. They list pregnancy and breastfeeding, hypersensitivity to ingredients, and some medicines and medical conditions among the reasons to avoid these products. Discuss your history and medicines with the clinician and ask for the instructions supplied with the exact device.[3]

Before booking, check:

• Who is injecting: their professional registration, training and how they manage complications.
• What exactly is being injected: the product name, batch and its regulatory status for the intended use in your part of the UK. The MHRA's public register lets you look up devices and manufacturers. Registration does not establish approval or endorsement by the MHRA. We have not verified the current UK status of any individual Rejuran model.[4]
• Medical history: allergies (including fish), pregnancy or breastfeeding, skin infection, and any medicines that affect bleeding.
• Aftercare: what to expect, and who to contact if something goes wrong.

Our guide to whether PDRN injections are safe explains common side effects and UK rules, and our UK clinic directory lists clinics that publicly mention PN or PDRN treatments. Listing is not an endorsement. Avoid any offer of DIY injections or home needling with these products.

Who might consider each option

• PDRN skincare may suit people who want a low-commitment, hydrating addition to a routine and accept that evidence for topical PDRN is limited. Start with our best PDRN skincare in the UK comparison.
• A clinic treatment is a medical decision to make with a qualified practitioner after a consultation, not a skincare upgrade.
• Neither may be necessary. Daily sunscreen and a moisturiser that suits your skin have a stronger evidence base for how skin looks over time. Our Do you actually need PDRN? check can help.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rejuran PDRN?

Not exactly. Rejuran Healer is usually described as a polynucleotide (PN) product. PN and PDRN are related DNA-derived materials that differ mainly in chain length, and the terms are often used loosely.[1]

Can I get Rejuran results from a PDRN serum?

There is no evidence that a topical PDRN product reproduces the results reported for injected polynucleotides. They are different materials delivered in different ways.[2]

Is Rejuran made from salmon sperm?

The manufacturer identifies sodium polynucleotide in the injectable products discussed here.[3] Ask the clinic to confirm the biological source and check the instructions for the exact device, especially if you have a fish allergy or avoid animal-derived products.

Is Rejuran safe?

Safety depends on the exact product, the practitioner and your medical history. The manufacturer lists injection site reactions such as swelling and redness, and warns of complications if the product enters a blood vessel. Discuss the risks and aftercare with the clinician before treatment.[3]

Can I use PDRN skincare after a Rejuran treatment?

Follow your practitioner's aftercare advice. Avoid applying products to broken or freshly injected skin unless they tell you otherwise.

References

1. Kim ST. Comparison of Polynucleotide and Polydeoxyribonucleotide in Dermatology: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Perspectives. Pharmaceutics, 2025.
2. Alhussain et al. Polynucleotides and Polydeoxyribonucleotides for Skin Rejuvenation, Postoperative Scar Prevention, and Wound Healing: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials. Cureus, 2026.
3. PharmaResearch. Rejuran, Rejuran i and Rejuran s instructions for use. Includes English instructions.
4. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Public Access Registration Database for medical devices.
5. Rejuran Cosmetics. Frequently asked questions about the cosmetics range.
6. Lee et al. Comparison of the effects of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid fillers on periocular rejuvenation: a randomized, double-blind, split-face trial. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2022.