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Updated April 2026 · about a 7 minute read
The pink PDRN buzz is loud. This guide is the calm version.
The short answer
The best PDRN serum is not the one with the biggest number on the box. It is the one with a smart formula at a sensible concentration, paired with delivery ingredients like exosomes. Below we weigh up Vitaran, CureNex, Medicube, Dr. Drawing and Rejuran so you can choose with confidence. Browse PDRN serums.
If you are a skincare lover who has seen the pink PDRN buzz everywhere, this guide breaks down what actually matters in a PDRN serum so you are not swayed by marketing alone. We compare five salmon DNA ranges available in Australia, Vitaran, CureNex, Medicube, Dr. Drawing and Rejuran, honestly and side by side.
Is more PDRN always better? The truth about concentration
You might assume that the more PDRN, the better, but formulation science suggests otherwise. Very high concentrations are not automatically more effective in a serum you apply at home, and a balanced formula often performs better day to day.
- A sensible range works well: many PDRN serums you apply at home are formulated in the 2,000 to 5,000 ppm range.
- Formula beats a big number: supporting actives and a good delivery system matter as much as the headline ppm.
- Delivery counts: ranges like Vitaran pair PDRN with exosomes and NMN. Think of exosomes as tiny carriers that help other ingredients absorb into the skin.
- Know your source: plant or vegan PDRN is not the same molecule as marine (salmon derived) PDRN, and is less well studied.
- PDRN is not new: it has been used in Korean skincare for over a decade. It is simply newer to the Australian skincare market.
The best PDRN serum is not the one with the biggest number on the box, it is the one with the smartest formula.
Meet the salmon DNA skincare ranges
Vitaran Skin Healing Series
- PDRN: 5,000 ppm, paired with a layered actives and delivery formula.
- Key actives: 5% exosomes, NMN (a precursor to NAD+), Centella, Adenosine, Niacinamide, Azulene.
- Technology: capsule technology helps keep actives stable until application. The capsules burst as you massage the product in.
- Best for: a multi step routine focused on the appearance of hydration, even tone and barrier comfort.
CureNex Clinical PDRN Range
Newly available in Australia and, like Vitaran, focused on high purity salmon DNA skincare designed to pair beautifully with your treatments. The formulas suit targeted use, deep cosmetic hydration and post treatment comfort. If you already do treatments at home, CureNex is a strong companion range, and the daily skincare plus the Snow Peel (a gentle spicule based exfoliating treatment you use at home) are lovely additions. The CureNex Salmon DNA Skin Booster is the high purity companion many people reach for after a treatment. Browse the CureNex range here.
Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- PDRN: stated 10,000 ppm (plant derived PDRN).
- Key actives: salmon collagen, peptides, Q10, niacinamide, turmeric, hyaluronic acid.
- Texture: lightweight, non sticky.
- Best for: simple daily routines.
Dr. Drawing Salmon DNA Series
- PDRN: not disclosed by the manufacturer.
- Key actives: hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, collagen, adenosine, Centella Asiatica, EGF complex.
- Format: ampoules suited to treatment routines.
- Best for: post routine comfort.
Salmon DNA skincare comparison
| Brand | PDRN / PN | Standout actives | Best for | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicube | 10,000 ppm plant PDRN | Peptides, collagen, Q10 | Simple daily use | Home |
| Dr. Drawing | Not disclosed | Hyaluronic acid, EGF | Post routine comfort | Clinic & home |
| Vitaran | 5,000 ppm + 5% exosomes | Exosomes, NMN, capsule tech, HA | Multi step routine, hydration & tone | Clinic & home |
| Rejuran Turnover | 5,000 ppm | Hyaluronic acid | Cosmetic hydration | Home & clinic |
| CureNex | 5,000 ppm (varies) | High purity salmon DNA, HA, peptides | Treatment companion, hydration | Clinic & home |
Our pick for a daily salmon DNA routine: Vitaran
For an everyday, multi step PDRN routine, the Vitaran Skin Healing Series is our standout. It pairs 5,000 ppm PDRN with exosomes, azulene, niacinamide and NMN, so you are supporting the look of your skin from several angles rather than relying on one big number.
The Vitaran three step routine
Step 1: Dual Serum: 5,000 ppm PDRN plus 5% cica exosomes, with Centella, Adenosine and Niacinamide for daily radiance and a smoother looking finish.
Step 2: Azulene Serum: a soothing, comforting layer with guaiazulene and niacinamide, a nice choice for sensitive feeling or post routine skin.
Step 3: Capsule Cream: NMN plus capsule fresh actives and 24 hour hydration to finish.
Get the complete Vitaran 3 step bundle →
Where Vitaran is made
Vitaran is manufactured by BR Pharm in South Korea, who specialise in PDRN raw material and produce several established cosmetic brands. Vitaran sold at Salmon DNA Australia is purchased directly from the manufacturer, stocked on the Gold Coast and posted Australia wide via Australia Post.
How much does a PDRN serum cost in Australia?
PDRN serum prices in Australia vary with concentration, format and brand, but most salmon DNA serums sit somewhere between roughly $40 and $150. Single serums tend to be at the lower end, while multi step sets and capsule technology ranges like Vitaran sit higher because you are buying a full routine rather than one bottle. Buying from an Australian stockist, rather than grey importing, means local AUD pricing, faster shipping and genuine product. You can compare current pricing across the PDRN serum collection.
How to use a PDRN serum
A PDRN serum slots easily into a normal routine. On clean, slightly damp skin, apply the serum before your moisturiser, morning and or night, then follow with SPF during the day. If you are doing a treatment at home, press a PDRN serum in straight afterwards, when skin is most receptive. PDRN is gentle and fragrance light, so it layers comfortably under the rest of your routine. For a full schedule, see How often should you use PDRN?
CureNex Salmon DNA & Peptide Daily Serum
A clean, high purity daily PDRN serum, lovely on its own or pressed in with your at home skin tool.
$49.50 AUDAfterpay available · free shipping over $150Shop the daily serum →
PDRN serum vs Rejuran injections: what is the difference?
This is the question that confuses the most people. Rejuran is best known as an injectable polynucleotide treatment given by a trained clinician, a therapeutic procedure, not something you do at home. A PDRN serum brings salmon DNA to the surface of the skin as a cosmetic, with no injections and no downtime. They are not the same thing and are not directly comparable; a serum is the gentle, at home way to bring salmon DNA into your routine. For the full breakdown, read What is PDRN? and our Rejuran vs CureNex vs VITARAN comparison.
Where to buy PDRN serum in Australia
You will find PDRN serums through Korean skincare retailers and, increasingly, dedicated salmon DNA stores. Buying locally matters: an Australian stockist means genuine product, local support, fast domestic shipping and pricing in AUD. Salmon DNA Australia stocks Vitaran, CureNex, Jeunetique and more, posted from the Gold Coast Australia wide. Start with the PDRN serum collection or explore a salmon DNA bundle.
How to choose your PDRN serum
No matter your age or skin goals, there is a salmon DNA option to suit you. Remember: it is not about the highest PDRN number, it is about the smartest formula and a delivery system that helps the actives absorb. Browse the full PDRN serum collection or explore salmon DNA bundles to start your routine.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PDRN serum?
A PDRN serum is a skincare product you apply at home, containing polydeoxyribonucleotide, fragments of DNA most often sourced from salmon. In cosmetics it is used to support the appearance of hydrated, smooth, even looking skin.
What is the best PDRN serum in Australia?
The best depends on your routine. For a multi step approach with exosomes and NMN, many shoppers choose the Vitaran Skin Healing Series; for a treatment companion, CureNex is a popular high purity option.
Is a higher PDRN ppm better?
Not necessarily. A balanced concentration in a well formulated serum with good supporting actives is generally more useful than chasing the highest number on the label.
Is salmon derived PDRN the same as plant or vegan PDRN?
No. Marine (salmon derived) PDRN and plant or vegan alternatives are different and are not directly comparable; salmon derived PDRN is the more established option in skincare.
How much does a PDRN serum cost in Australia?
Most salmon DNA serums in Australia range from around $40 to $150, depending on concentration, format and whether you are buying a single serum or a full multi step set.
Can I use a PDRN serum every day?
Yes. PDRN is gentle and fragrance light, so most people use it daily, morning and or night, on clean skin before moisturiser. Patch test first if your skin is reactive.
PDRN serum vs Rejuran, which is better?
They are different categories. Rejuran is best known as an in clinic injectable; a PDRN serum is a cosmetic you apply at home with no downtime. A serum is the gentle way to use salmon DNA day to day.
Where can I buy PDRN serum in Australia?
Through Australian Korean skincare and salmon DNA stockists. Buying locally means genuine product, AUD pricing and fast domestic shipping. Salmon DNA Australia posts Vitaran, CureNex and more from the Gold Coast.
Disclaimer: these are cosmetics, not therapeutic goods, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Rejuran and other injectable procedures are referenced for context only and are performed by qualified clinicians. Always patch test; not suitable for those with fish allergies.
