Each year, skincare trends crown a handful of star ingredients—and this time, PDRN is taking center stage. While polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) isn’t exactly new to the beauty scene, its recent resurgence has been fueled by South Korea’s booming production of PDRN-infused products, now lining Olive Young shelves and topping K-beauty best-seller lists.
With the popularity of salmon-derived injectables and topical formulas gaining traction, vegan alternatives are emerging for those seeking gentler, cruelty-free options. These promise the same benefits—stimulating cell regeneration, enhancing hydration, and improving skin elasticity.
For the latest edition of The Beauty Edit’s Trial&Splendor, we put the spotlight on Korean beauty staple innisfree and its new Retinol Green Tea PDRN line. The ultimate test: Can a plant-based formula truly rival the efficacy of the original?
PDRN 101
Before diving into formulation comparisons, let’s do a quick refresher on PDRN—and why it’s become such a star in skincare.
Made up of low-molecular-weight DNA fragments, PDRN binds to your skin’s A2A adenosine receptors—think of these as tiny “switches” on skin cells. When activated, these switches trigger a chain of skin-loving responses: soothing inflammation, boosting collagen production, and accelerating skin regeneration. In short, PDRN delivers multiple powerhouse effects for healthier, younger-looking skin—essentially anti-aging at the cellular level.
These benefits were first discovered with salmon-derived PDRN, originally extracted from the sperm of salmon trout or chum salmon, and then sterilized to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.
The Vegan PDRN Class
In the case of plant-based PDRN, it begins with mapping out the DNA sequence of traditional salmon-derived PDRN and then recreating it using non-animal, biotech-driven methods. The process usually involves one of two lab techniques:
Microbial fermentation: Friendly microorganisms are programmed to produce DNA strands over time. Research shows that engineered microbes can biosynthesize complex cosmetic ingredients in a sustainable and vegan-friendly way.
Cell-free systems: DNA is built in a lab environment that mimics the inner workings of a cell, just without the actual cell. Several studies show how cell-free biosystems allow precise and efficient DNA construction outside living organisms.
Once synthesized, the DNA goes through a refinement and purification stage to remove any by-products. This step is a must to ensure that the final ingredient is safe, stable, and effective—especially when used in skincare.
You’ll likely spot these vegan-friendly PDRNs popping up more and more in K-beauty formulas, often paired with botanical ingredients like ginseng, bakuchiol, or rice. And in innisfree’s case? It’s all about their signature Jeju Green Tea.
Crafting Vegan PDRN, The innisfree Way
As innisfree continues to push innovation, it feels fitting for the brand to return to its roots—literally—by spotlighting Jeju Green Tea as the foundation of its vegan-friendly take on PDRN.
To replicate the structure of traditional salmon-derived PDRN, innisfree turns to microbial fermentation. In this process, green tea extract ferments using Lactobacillus, which breaks down the plant material and creates low-molecular-weight DNA fragments that closely mimic the traditional PDRN structure. The result? A newly coined ingredient: Green Tea PDRN™—with innisfree becoming the first skincare brand to bring it to the market.
The promise is bold yet familiar: skin regeneration, improved hydration, enhanced elasticity, and of course—the K-beauty hallmark—radiant, glowy skin. All without the use of animal-derived ingredients.
A Retinol-PDRN Remix
What makes this product even more compelling is the addition of innisfree’s Triple Retinol Complex™, a blend of three powerful forms of Vitamin A. Carefully formulated to work in harmony, it gives skin a smoother, more hydrated, and visibly healthier appearance. Retinol, long known as a high-performance active, actively transforms your skin by stimulating cell turnover, fading pigmentation, and softening fine lines.
On the other hand, Green Tea PDRN™, the star regenerative ingredient, supports your skin’s recovery and resilience. It calms inflammation, boosts collagen production, and locks in moisture—ensuring that your skin not only transforms but stays balanced and nourished throughout the process.
By combining Triple Retinol Complex™ with Green Tea PDRN™, innisfree delivers the ultimate “correct and repair” duo.
The Vegan Edit
The line features two powerhouse products: the Retinol Green Tea PDRN Skinbooster Toner and the Retinol Green Tea PDRN Skinbooster Ampoule—both packed with the brand’s signature Triple Retinol Complex™ and Green Tea PDRN™, plus skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide, adenosine, and hydrating humectants to nourish and support overall skin health.
The Skinbooster Toner is your first-step hydrator—delivering a smooth, radiant base with a concentrated watery texture. Infused with hyaluronic acid and panthenol, it instantly plumps and soothes the skin, enhancing its bounce and luminosity. This toner perfectly prepares your skin for the ampoule that follows.
The Skinbooster Ampoule provides high-impact results with 1 percent Triple Retinol Complex and 56 percent low-molecular Green Tea PDRN™—working together to refine skin texture, tighten sagging pores, and boost inner radiance. The retinol trio (pure retinol, green active retinoid, and AP retinoid) targets signs of aging and dullness, while Green Tea PDRN™ supports deep skin regeneration and elasticity. Clinical results show a 42.1 percent improvement in sagging pores and a 26.4 percent boost in inner skin glow. Despite its actives, the formula remains gentle—vegan-certified, non-comedogenic, and tested for sensitive skin.
Ideal Application: After cleansing your face, gently apply the Skinbooster Toner with your hands or a cotton pad. Start incorporating the ampoule into your evening routine two to three times a week, gradually increasing as your skin adjusts. Remember to stay hydrated with a moisturizer and apply sunscreen every morning!
Two Weeks, Zero Secrets
Even with all the research, nothing beats a real-life review when it comes to skincare. To tackle the big question—can the plant-based version truly rival salmon-derived PDRN?—we turned to The Beauty Edit community for honest feedback.
Several members were invited to test innisfree’s vegan-friendly PDRN over a two-week trial. To kick things off, we hosted an exclusive event at Mitsukoshi Mall, where participants learned how Green Tea PDRN™ works and got fully briefed before starting their skincare journey.
Some participants had already tried salmon-based formulations, while others were completely new to the ingredient. Their skin types ranged from dry to combination to acne-prone, making them an ideal group to test whether the retinol–PDRN pairing could deliver results across a variety of skin concerns.
Within just the first week of the trial, several members noticed visible improvements, reporting brighter, plumper, and softer skin. Martina Bugarin, a community member with prior experience using PDRN, shared: “My skin tone felt more balanced, the texture felt smoother, and my skin stayed hydrated throughout the day.”
And if you’re wondering whether the plant-based version holds up in the lab—not just on the skin—research says yes. A study published on PubMed found that vegan PDRN, derived from Korean ginseng, delivers comparable results to the salmon-based original by activating the same key skin-repair mechanisms. In short, the lab says what our testers feel—vegan PDRN works.
When it came to the retinol, community member Marijoy Liwag-Villones noted a surprising takeaway:
“It’s really gentle, and it feels really forgiving as a retinol. It’s not intimidating for me.”
Given how retinol is often associated with irritation or intense reactions—especially during the first few uses—this kind of review highlighted how innisfree’s Triple Retinol Complex™ was formulated to be both effective and beginner-friendly.
By the two-week mark, a common theme had emerged among testers: moisturized, glowing, and noticeably smoother skin.
Long-time community member Crissy Ramos shared that the formula worked so well for her, she had no hesitation in continuing—especially since she had already purchased the full-sized bottles herself.
One particularly interesting experience came from Ingrid Nieto-Pagulayan, a certified image, color, and style consultant. When she first started the trial, she noticed some small bumps after using both the toner and ampoule, so she paused and let her skin rest.
After giving her skin some time to adjust, Ingrid reintroduced the routine and found that her skin was simply adapting to ingredients that weren’t part of her usual lineup. She shared: “I reapplied it again and committed to daily use. So far, so good. I especially loved the toner—it was very light on the skin and absorbed quickly. I’m just grateful it didn’t cause any major redness or reactions.”
The takeaway from her experience? Even gentle formulas sometimes require an adjustment period.
The Verdict: Does Vegan PDRN Deliver?
With a variety of skin types putting innisfree’s new line to the test, we’re happy to say the Retinol Green Tea PDRN Collection truly lived up to its promises. It delivered the well-known anti-aging benefits of retinol, while the Green Tea PDRN™ worked behind the scenes to support and strengthen your skin.
If you’re curious about vegan-friendly PDRN alternatives, this collection is a fantastic introduction—offering a formula that’s gentle, clean, and easy for your skin to embrace without any hassle.
innisfree Retinol Green Tea PDRN Skinbooster Toner 170ml
₱1,390, Lazada
innisfree Retinol Green Tea PDRN Skinbooster Ampoule 25ml
₱2,100, Lazada
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BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE TRIAL&SPLENDOR PARTICIPANTS.
