Rejuran Skin Booster: Gentle DNA therapy for youthful skin
Introduction
In recent years, the term ‘Rejuran’ has achieved almost cult status in aesthetic dermatology. What was once known mainly to insiders in the Korean beauty community is now featured in professional treatment catalogues worldwide. Rejuran Skin Booster is a skin-regenerating therapy based on purified polynucleotides (PN) from salmon DNA. Unlike fillers, which primarily provide volume, Rejuran Skin Booster focuses on cellular ‘upcycling’: It supplies the skin with biocompatible building blocks that stimulate fibroblasts, thereby activating repair and regeneration processes. The result is a finer complexion, greater elasticity and a fresh glow – without any drastic changes in volume.
Origin in nature
The polymer building blocks of Rejuran Skin Booster are extracted from the DNA of Pacific chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta). These wild salmon live mainly in the cool waters around Alaska and the northern coast of Japan, grow to a length of 60–100 cm and spawn in shallow rivers in late summer. Their exceptional resistance to UV radiation and oxidative stress lies in their highly pure, error-free DNA. This is precisely what makes Rejuran Skin Booster so valuable for skin care. As salmon only live for four to six years in the wild, the raw material is extracted from fresh tissue so that the integrity of the nucleic acids is preserved.
Extraction and production
During production, the salmon epithelium is first rendered cell- and protein-free using enzymes. Precipitation and multi-stage chromatography then separate short DNA fragments (< 1 kDA). What remains are long polynucleotide chains (approx. 50–200 kDA), which form the core of Rejuran Skin Booster. Controlled hydrolysis reduces them to the average length required in dermatology. After endotoxin and heavy metal testing, a crystal-clear, sterile gel is produced that can be injected directly or incorporated into liposomal creams.
Advantages and disadvantages
Biocompatibility
Rejuran Skin Booster is considered extremely well tolerated because its polynucleotides are similar to the body’s own genetic material. This similarity to human DNA minimises immunological defence reactions and makes Rejuran Skin Booster a gentle option, even for sensitive skin. However, it is important to check for any allergies to fish or seafood before use, as the active ingredients are derived from salmon DNA. Rejuran Skin Booster is not suitable for anyone with an existing allergy.
Depth of action
After injection, Rejuran® Skin Booster reaches the superficial dermis, where it stimulates fibroblasts. This increases the production of collagen I and III and reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL), leaving the skin denser, smoother and better moisturised. Compared to classic fillers, it takes a little patience for the first visible effects to appear: four to six weeks in most cases.
Durability
Once established, the regenerative boost provided by Rejuran Skin Booster lasts up to twelve months in many cases. To maintain the level in the long term, experts recommend two to three refresher treatments per year. These regular sessions are essential as the biological degradation of the polynucleotides gradually decreases.
Texture
The gel is very thin, which means it spreads evenly and carries only a low risk of lumps or hardening – a clear advantage over viscous fillers. However, this is precisely why Rejuran Skin Booster is not suitable for building up missing volume. Its focus is exclusively on improving the quality of existing tissue and not on filling deep wrinkles.
Applications in cosmetic products
- Skin booster injections: Micro-deposits of Rejuran Skin Booster are placed into the superficial dermis using fine needles. This is ideal for enlarged pores, acne scars or wrinkles.
- Post-laser care: After fractional laser treatment, Rejuran Skin Booster reduces redness and accelerates re-epithelialisation.
- Luxury serums: Encapsulated PN is combined with hyaluronic acid to deliver moisture and repair in one step.
- Sheet masks: Sheet masks are very popular in Korea. They combine Rejuran Skin Booster and niacinamide to create a ‘glass skin’ effect in 20 minutes.
- Eye contour creams: Thanks to its low irritation potential, Rejuran Skin Booster smoothes fine lines without puffing up bags under the eyes.
Other everyday uses
Outside of cosmetics, Rejuran Skin Booster (as PDRN) is used in wound healing, for chronic ulcers and in ophthalmic eye drops for dry eyes. Sports physicians use it to help tendons and ligaments heal faster. This interdisciplinary success story supports the credibility of Rejuran Skin Booster as an anti-ageing ingredient.
Fact sheet on Rejuran
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, colourless solution or viscous gel |
| Chemical nature | Polynucleotide chains of deoxyribonucleotides |
| Average molecular weight | 50,000–200,000 Da |
| Physical state | Liquid (in water) |
| Odour | Neutral |
| pH | 6,8 – 7,5 |
| Melting point | Not defined, as biopolymer – thermal denaturation > 180 °C |
| Water solubility | Completely soluble |
| INCI name | Polynucleotide, DNA, Sodium DNA, Hydrolyzed DNA |
| Alternative names | PDRN, salmon DNA, Rejuran |
Relevant accompanying ingredients for combination formulations
| Active ingredient | Chemical data | Short studies & effects |
|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid | White powder, glass transition ≈ −50 °C, gel-forming in water | 12-week split-face study: +28% skin moisture, −16% wrinkle depth |
| Niacinamide (vitamin B3) | White crystalline powder, mp 129 °C, water-soluble | 8-week RCT: −30% hyperpigmentation, +15% elasticity |
| Centella asiatica extract | Brown viscose extract, rich in asiaticosides, water/glycerine soluble | In vivo patch test: +53% collagen III synthesis after 6 days |
| Copper tripeptide-1 | Cu-GHK, bluish powder, MW 340 Da, water-soluble | 1% serum led to +70% keratinocyte migration in ex vivo models |
| Ceramide NP | Lipid powder, melts > 90 °C, oil/emulsion soluble | Placebo-controlled: −37% TEWL after 4 weeks |
These active ingredients complement Rejuran by providing either immediate hydration (hyaluronic acid), antioxidant protection (niacinamide) or additional wound healing (centella). In 2-phase serums in particular, Rejuran Skin Booster can be formulated so that its slow, reparative effect and quickly visible smoothing properties work together perfectly.
Conclusion
Rejuran Skin Booster is much more than just a buzzword in the beauty scene: its polynucleotide-based mode of action opens up completely new horizons for skin rejuvenation without drastic volume effects. Whether as a minimally invasive injection or a high-end serum, Rejuran Skin Booster improves the dermal matrix, strengthens the skin barrier and ensures a healthy, youthful appearance.
We have years of expertise in developing effective and sensorially sophisticated formulations.
With our expertise in microencapsulated active ingredient carriers and gentle preservation systems, we can create cosmetic products for your brand that harness the full potential of Rejuran Skin Booster – whether as a skin booster ampoule, a soothing after-sun mask or a regenerative night cream.
Together, we can make Rejuran Skin Booster the centrepiece of a product line that inspires customer confidence and strengthens your brand identity in the long term.
Literature:
Choi SY, Koh YG, Yoo KH, Han HS, Seok J, Kim BJ.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025 Jan;24(1):e16576.
Polynucleotide-based treatments for various facial scars including combat injuries.
Kim MJ, Wan J, Oksana L, Yuliia L, Chugay O, Platonova O, Sydorchuk O, Yi KH.J Dermatolog Treat. 2024 Dec;35(1):2426626