PDRN went from a clinic word to a skincare-aisle word in about eighteen months. It is short for polydeoxyribonucleotide - fragments of DNA, usually from salmon - and it has become one of the most talked-about ingredients in Korean skincare.
This is a PDRN collagen balm stick: a twist-up balm you swipe straight onto skin. No jar, no fingers, no spill in a bag. It is made for the dry patches you keep meaning to deal with - the corners of the nose, the lip line, under the eyes, the neck.
What it is
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Twist-up stick, 10g / 0.35oz. Roughly the size of a lip balm, 10.2cm tall.
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Multi-zone. Face, eyes, lips and neck - the point of a balm stick is that one thing covers all of them.
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Balm texture, not grease. It goes on sheer and sits under makeup rather than sliding it around.
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Listed key ingredients: PDRN and collagen, caffeine extract and peptides, EGF.
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Three-year shelf life from manufacture.
How people use it
Three common ways: as a hydrating base before makeup, as a midday touch-up over makeup where skin has gone dry and flat, and as the last step at night on the areas that need more than a lotion gives them.
Warm it briefly against skin before swiping - a balm applies more evenly once it has softened slightly.
What we can and cannot tell you
This is a cosmetic moisturiser. It hydrates and softens skin and improves how skin looks. We are not going to tell you it rebuilds collagen, regenerates tissue or reverses ageing - those are medical claims, and topical skincare is not the same thing as the clinical procedures PDRN is better known for.
Two things we would rather flag than hide:
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It contains EGF (epidermal growth factor). It is a common ingredient in Korean skincare, but some people prefer to avoid growth factors, and some countries regulate them more tightly than others. If that matters to you, now you know before you buy.
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We do not yet have the full INCI ingredient list from the supplier - only the key-ingredient summary above. We have asked for it. If you have known sensitivities or allergies, wait until we can publish the complete list rather than risk it.
Patch test on your inner arm before putting anything new on your face, keep it away from broken skin, and if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or under dermatological care, check with your doctor first.
About the packaging
It arrives in its original retail packaging, branded danchel, marked "PDRN Pink Collagen Volume Multi Balm 5%". We have not been able to confirm what the 5% refers to, so we are not going to guess at it on your behalf.
Common questions
Can I use it on my lips?
Yes - it is sold as a multi-zone balm including lips.
Will it work under makeup?
That is one of the intended uses. Let it settle for a minute before foundation.
Is it sticky?
It is a balm, so it has some slip on application, but it is formulated to sink in rather than stay tacky.
How long will one last?
10g is a lot for targeted use. Used on dry zones rather than as a full-face moisturiser, most people would get months out of it.
