This review explores the composition, benefits, applications, and scientific background of plant-based PDRNs and references various reliable sources to provide a comprehensive overview.
Plant-based PDRN refers to specific DNA fragments (polydeoxyribonucleotides) extracted from plants such as ginseng , rice or green tea. It is different from PDRN traditionally obtained from animal sources such as salmon DNA. This plant-based PDRN has recently gained more and more attention in skin care products because it is more environmentally friendly and vegan.
Scientists have found that PDRN, a DNA fragment of a specific size, can help stimulate cell growth, reduce inflammation, and promote wound healing and tissue regeneration. It was previously used mainly in medical treatment. Although it was first extracted from animals, experts have now developed a method to obtain it from plants for more sustainable purposes. Ginseng and green tea are two important plant sources. Through some specialized cultivation and processing techniques, researchers are able to produce pure and effective plant PDRN, which can ensure the effect and meet vegan standards.
Plant-based PDRN can effectively stimulate skin cells (such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts) to grow faster, which is critical for repairing skin damage. Wound healing experiments in the laboratory showed that it significantly increased the regeneration rate of two important skin cells.
In a 3D model that simulates the skin, the skin surface regenerates much faster after applying products containing plant PDRN. Experts observed that the higher the concentration, the more obvious the effect, and by the fifth day the effect even exceeded another well-known repair ingredient EGF.
Strengthen the skin barrier
When the skin barrier is damaged, plant-based PDRN can help it recover. It can make the connection between skin cells tighter (reflected in the increase of TEER value), especially at a concentration of 0.5%. At the same time, it can also increase the levels of several proteins that are important for skin health (such as filaggrin), and the effect is better than common retinoic acid.
Scientists explain that plant-based PDRN mainly works by activating A2A receptors on the cell surface. Once activated, several important signaling pathways inside the cells (such as FAK, AKT) become very active, which is equivalent to "charging" the cells, making them more energetic and less likely to die.
It can prompt skin cells to produce more substances that are beneficial to repair and health. For example, it increases fibronectin and filaggrin in stratum corneum cells, and increases factors such as Bcl-2 in dermal cells, which together help the skin maintain a good state.
Tests have confirmed that plant-based PDRN itself is not toxic to skin cells, and experts believe that it is safe for external use on the skin.
These findings show that plant-based PDRN has great potential in helping skin repair, moisturizing and fighting aging, and is very suitable for use in products such as essences, essences and masks. Although past studies have mostly used PDRN from salmon, scientists point out that PDRN extracted from plants such as ginseng can also activate the same A2A receptor pathway, and the effect should be similar.
Many skin care products on the market now begin to add plant-based PDRN, and the amount added is usually between 0.1% and 2%, which meets the general standards of cosmetics. We can see that it is mainly used in the following products:
Essences and essences: Essences such as VT Cosmetics PDRN 100 Essence will also add plant-based PDRN, ceramides and niacinamide, which can make the skin more shiny and elastic.
Ampoules and booster essences: Innisfree Retinol Green Tea PDRN Skin Enhancer Ampoule also contains plant-based PDRN, which focuses on brightening the skin, soothing the skin and improving fine lines.
However, experts have also found some problems: plant-based PDRN molecules are not small, and sometimes it is not easy to penetrate deep into the skin to work. Therefore, professional beauticians often use microneedle therapy when operating, which can help the skin better absorb PDRN and make the effect better.
The popularity of plant-based PDRN in skincare products is largely in line with the K-beauty trend. South Korea was the first place to use PDRN in skincare products. According to Kim et al. (2023), in the early 2010s, injecting PDRN into the skin (then called it "skin enhancer") was already a very popular project in South Korea and was well accepted by doctors.
This trend later also affected topical skin care products. Experts analyzed that this is because more and more consumers want to find products that can "freeze age", and special anti-aging areas have been opened in shopping malls around the world. The rise of plant-based PDRN just solves the ethical concerns that may arise from animal sources. Now the plant-extracted version, such as from ginseng or green tea, fully meets the requirements of veganism and animal-friendly, which is often mentioned by fashion media.
We are a professional cosmetics manufacturer. We have accumulated a lot of experience in plant-based PDRN from research and development to application, and have successfully developed related products for some big brands. Here is a brief example we have done:
We helped a brand make a repair essence featuring plant-based PDRN. At that time, they wanted to find an essence that was particularly suitable for sensitive skin, had good effects, and had natural and gentle ingredients with scientific basis.
After discussion, our team decided to use plant-based PDRN extracted from rice as the core, and then add hyaluronic acid, ceramide and Centella asiatica extract. This combination can ensure gentleness and good effects. We adjusted the formula several times and did several rounds of tests to ensure that the product is safe and easy to use.
This essence has a very good reputation after it was launched! Many consumers said that it has obvious effects in repairing the skin barrier, reducing redness, and making the skin more elastic. The sales of this product increased by 35% in the first half of the year, becoming one of their best-selling products.
This reflects our professional capabilities and technical advantages in the field of Plant-Based PDRN. If you are also interested in developing this type of product, or want to talk about cooperation, feel free to contact us!
Plant-Based PDRN has become an important innovative ingredient in the skincare industry due to its remarkable regenerative, anti-aging and repairing properties, combined with sustainable and ethical advantages. As a cosmetic manufacturer, we are focused on translating the scientific merits behind this ingredient into high-quality products that consumers truly love, driving the skincare industry towards a more sustainable direction.
