Ingredient explainers
Each explainer states its evidence confidence and the date of its last evidence review. Cosmetic ingredients are not medicines.
Cosmetic information only. Ingredient effects are formulation-dependent and evidence is often limited. This is not medical advice.
Evidence-led ingredient guides
Longer guides covering what the research does and does not support, how to use the ingredient in a routine, and common myths.
Ingredient guide
Advanced Ingredients in Korean Skincare: Peptides, Exosomes, and Beyond
An evidence-led guide to advanced ingredients in Korean cosmetics, covering peptides, copper peptides, exosomes, growth factors, spicules, and collagen formulations.
Ingredient guide
Are PDRN Injections Safe? Side Effects and UK Rules
PDRN injections are generally well tolerated when a trained, registered practitioner uses a genuine product.
Ingredient guide
Azelaic Acid Skincare: Evidence, Benefits, and Routine Guide
A research-led guide to azelaic acid skincare. Learn how this dicarboxylic acid may support surface tone, reduce visible redness, and layer alongside actives like niacinamide.
Ingredient guide
Centella Asiatica (Cica)
A cautious, science-led guide to cica, madecassoside, asiaticoside and soothing skincare claims.
Ingredient guide
Ceramides and Barrier Repair: Science, Formulations, and Skincare Guide
A science-led guide to ceramides in skincare, exploring how topical ceramide formulations support stratum corneum barrier function and moisture retention.
Ingredient guide
Does Topical PDRN Absorb Into Skin?
Only partly, as far as current evidence shows. PDRN is far larger than the 500 Dalton size that passes easily through intact skin.
Ingredient guide
Does Topical PDRN Work? Molecular Weight, Skin Penetration and the 2026 Evidence
Ingredient guide
Ectoin Skincare: What It Does, What the Evidence Shows, and the Korean Formulas Worth Knowing
Ingredient guide
EGF Serums in Korean Skincare: What sh-Oligopeptide-1 Is, What the Evidence Shows, and Who Should Avoid It
Ingredient guide
Exosome Skincare Explained: Plant vs Human Exosomes, UK Law, and What Korean Labels Really Mean
Ingredient guide
Ginseng Skincare in Korean Beauty: Evidence, Hanbang Formulations, and Routine Integration
A science-led guide to ginseng skincare in Korean beauty, exploring ginsenosides, traditional hanbang formulations, realistic skin benefits, and routine compatibility.
Ingredient guide
Hyaluronic Acid
How topical hyaluronic acid hydrates, why molecular weight matters, and how to use humectants without leaving skin tight or sticky.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN a Filler?
No, PDRN is not a filler. Fillers, usually cross-linked hyaluronic acid, add volume to reshape areas like lips, cheeks and tear troughs.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN a Peptide? PDRN vs Peptides Explained Simply
No. PDRN is not a peptide. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of protein, while PDRN is made of nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN an Active Ingredient? What That Really Means
Yes. PDRN is an active ingredient in the sense that it is added for a biological effect, and it began as the active substance in a medicine. But it is a gentle active.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN Good for Acne? Acne-Prone Skin, Scars and Marks
Short answer: PDRN can be good for acne-prone skin as a gentle, non-exfoliating support step, especially when acne treatments leave skin dry or irritated. It does not treat active spots.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN Good for Skin? What the Evidence Really Shows
Yes, PDRN can be good for skin, but mostly in a gentle, supportive way. The strongest evidence comes from injected, medical-grade PDRN and polynucleotides, and even that is modest.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN Retinol? The Difference and Using Both Together
Short answer: No. PDRN and retinol are different ingredients. Retinol is a form of vitamin A that speeds up skin cell turnover and has decades of evidence for fine lines and sun damage.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN Safe in Pregnancy? A Pharmacist's Honest Answer
No one can say PDRN is proven safe in pregnancy, because there are no published safety studies in pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN Safe? Side Effects, Allergies and Who Should Avoid It
For most adults, yes. PDRN has a strong safety record as a medicine, and topical PDRN products rarely cause problems beyond reactions to other ingredients.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN Vegan? Salmon PDRN vs Plant PDRN Explained
No, traditional PDRN is not vegan. It is purified from the milt (sperm) of salmon or trout.
Ingredient guide
Is PDRN Worth It?
PDRN can be worth it if your expectations match the evidence. PDRN injections have promising but limited evidence for skin quality, and cost several hundred pounds or more per course.
Ingredient guide
Korean Rice Skincare: Science, Rice Water Formulations, and Routine Integration
A research-led overview of Korean rice skincare formulations, exploring the evidence behind rice water, fermented extracts, and how to integrate them into a daily routine.
Ingredient guide
Korean Vitamin C Serums: Science, Formulations, and Routine Guide
A science-led guide to Korean vitamin C serums, detailing how L-ascorbic acid and derivatives support a brighter appearance, key formulation techniques, and layering strategies.
Ingredient guide
Niacinamide
A practical guide to vitamin B3 in skincare: barrier support, uneven
Ingredient guide
Panthenol
Pro-vitamin B5 for hydration and barrier support: evidence, product selection and use in sensitive or over-treated skin.
Ingredient guide
PDRN Advanced Infusion Treatment for Acne and Scars
Considering a PDRN infusion kit for acne scars? Understand the claims, evidence gaps and safety questions before choosing home needling or a clinic.
Ingredient guide
PDRN Ampoules and Ampoule Treatments Explained
Learn what a PDRN ampoule is, how it differs from a serum and why a cosmetic vial must not be confused with an injectable or microneedling product.
Ingredient guide
PDRN and Collagen in Skincare Explained
PDRN is not collagen. Learn how DNA ingredients, collagen creams and supplements differ, and what evidence can support a collagen-boosting claim.
Ingredient guide
PDRN and Polynucleotides in the UK: Cosmetics Rules, Injectables and the MHRA (2026)
Ingredient guide
PDRN Before and After: Realistic Results, Timelines and Photos
Realistic PDRN before-and-after results are subtle. Injection studies measured improvements in fine lines and texture 8 to 12 weeks after a course of sessions, and some gains faded by six months.
Ingredient guide
PDRN Clinical Evidence (2026): Mechanism, Wound Healing and Skin Research Reviewed
Ingredient guide
PDRN Copper Peptide Serums and the Evidence
Explore PDRN and copper tripeptide-1 in serums, including Dr Reju All, evidence limitations and sensible layering without blanket compatibility claims.
Ingredient guide
PDRN for Acne Scars: Does It Work?
Small studies suggest PDRN and polynucleotide injections may improve atrophic (depressed) acne scars, usually alongside lasers, microneedling or subcision.
Ingredient guide
PDRN for Dark Circles: Does It Work?
Polynucleotide injections may improve crepey texture and fine lines under the eyes.
Ingredient guide
PDRN for Eczema: Can It Help Dry, Itchy Skin?
PDRN is not an eczema treatment. Emollients used every day and prescribed steroid creams during flares remain the main treatments.
Ingredient guide
PDRN for Rosacea: What the Evidence Says
PDRN is not a rosacea treatment, and it has not been studied in people with rosacea, so we cannot say it is safe or well tolerated for this condition.
Ingredient guide
PDRN in the UK, 2026: Salmon vs Vegan Plant PDRN and Where the Market Is Heading
Ingredient guide
PDRN vs Exosomes: Which Is Better for Skin?
PDRN has more established research and a clearer regulatory path than exosomes. PDRN is purified DNA fragments, mainly from salmon; exosomes are tiny vesicles released by cells.
Ingredient guide
PDRN vs Hyaluronic Acid: Which Should You Choose?
PDRN and hyaluronic acid do different jobs. Hyaluronic acid is a proven humectant that draws water into skin, and as an injection it adds hydration or volume.
Ingredient guide
PDRN vs PRP: Which Skin Treatment Is Better?
No trials have compared PDRN and PRP head to head, so neither has been proven better. PRP uses growth factors from your own blood and has evidence for skin thickness and elasticity.
Ingredient guide
Peptides
Signal, carrier and neurotransmitter-inhibiting peptides explained - with a clear distinction between plausible mechanisms and proven finished products.
Ingredient guide
Rejuran vs PDRN: Polynucleotide Injections and PDRN Skincare Explained
Ingredient guide
Retinoids: Retinol, Retinal and Tretinoin
The best-supported healthy-ageing active class, explained with realistic timelines, irritation control, pregnancy precautions and product selection.
Ingredient guide
Rice Extract and Rice Ferments
Rice water, bran extract, rice ferment and cosmetic brightening claims separated from tradition and social-media mythology.
Ingredient guide
Slugging skincare: Occlusives, Petrolatum Alternatives, and Korean Barrier Formulations
A science-led guide to slugging skincare, occlusive barriers, and petrolatum alternatives in Korean formulations for dry and compromised skin barriers.
Ingredient guide
Snail Mucin
What snail secretion filtrate can realistically do for hydration and skin feel, where evidence is limited, and how to assess allergy and sourcing.
Ingredient guide
Spicule Serums and VT Reedle Shot: How "Microneedling in a Bottle" Works, Which Strength to Choose, and Who Should Avoid It
Ingredient guide
Squalane Skincare: Emollient Benefits, Science, and Formulation Guide
Discover how squalane skincare functions as a biocompatible emollient and facial oil to support skin barrier moisture, smooth surface texture, and complement hydration routines.
Ingredient guide
Topical Tranexamic Acid
A focused guide to pigmentation and melasma evidence, topical use, sunscreen, realistic expectations and the important distinction from oral treatment.
Ingredient guide
Topical Vitamin C
Antioxidant and pigmentation claims explained: L-ascorbic acid, derivatives, stability, concentration and how to build a tolerable routine.
Ingredient guide
What Age Should You Start PDRN?
There is no age at which PDRN becomes necessary. PDRN skincare is an optional hydrating extra for adults.
Ingredient guide
What Is Medicube PDRN? The Pink Range Explained
Medicube PDRN is a Korean skincare range from Medicube, the flagship brand of APR, built around salmon-derived PDRN.
Ingredient guide
What Is PDRN in Skincare? Salmon, Plant and Clinic PDRN Explained
What polydeoxyribonucleotide is, what topical research can genuinely support, and how to assess PDRN products without falling for regenerative-marketing claims.
Ingredient guide
Which PDRN Is Best? Salmon, Plant, c-PDRN and PN Compared
It depends on how you use it. For clinic treatments, medical-grade salmon PDRN or polynucleotide injectables have the most evidence.
Ingredient guide
Which PDRN Is Most Effective? Injections vs Serums Ranked
The most effective PDRN is medical-grade PDRN or polynucleotides injected into the skin by a qualified practitioner, which is where nearly all the clinical evidence comes from.
Ingredient guide
Will PDRN Cause Acne? Why You Might Break Out and What to Do
PDRN itself is not known to cause acne. It is a water-soluble ingredient made of DNA fragments, with no oily or pore-blocking properties.
Ingredient guide
Will PDRN Cause Purging? Purge vs Breakout Explained
No. PDRN on its own should not cause purging. Purging happens when an ingredient speeds up skin cell turnover, as retinoids and exfoliating acids do.
Ingredient guide
Will PDRN Help With Acne? What It Can and Can't Do
Not on its own. PDRN does not target the main causes of acne: excess oil, blocked pores and acne bacteria.
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Evidence confidence: unknown
Centella asiatica
Evidence confidence: unknown
Hyaluronic acid
Evidence confidence: unknown
Madecassoside
Evidence confidence: unknown
Niacinamide
Evidence confidence: unknown
Panthenol
Evidence confidence: unknown
Peptides
Evidence confidence: unknown
Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN)
PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a mixture of short DNA fragments, usually purified from salmon or trout. On cosmetic ingredient lists it most often appears as "Sodium DNA". In skincare it is used in serums, toners and creams; the same family of ingredients is also given by injection in clinics, which is a different product with different evidence.
Evidence confidence: low
Retinal
Evidence confidence: unknown
Retinol
Evidence confidence: unknown
Snail secretion filtrate
Evidence confidence: unknown
Tranexamic acid
Evidence confidence: unknown