Hikari Serum - Advanced PDRN Complex

PDRN is the ingredient Korean clinics built an entire treatment category around. This is the at-home version of it.

If you have seen the phrase salmon DNA facial on your feed and wondered what it actually was, this is that ingredient. Polydeoxyribonucleotide, shortened to PDRN.

What PDRN is, plainly

It is a fragment of DNA, derived from salmon, that happens to be remarkably compatible with human skin. In Korea it is delivered by injection in clinic, which is where the reputation comes from and also why it costs what it does there.

In a topical serum it does not do what an injection does. We would rather say that outright than let you assume otherwise. What it does do is sit at the center of a hydration and barrier formula that is unusually short for its category.

Twelve ingredients. That is the whole list.

• Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), the renewal complex.
• Sodium hyaluronate, the low-molecular-weight form of hyaluronic acid, which sits better in a thin serum than the heavy version.
• Panthenol, provitamin B5, for barrier comfort.
• Sodium PCA and glycerin, humectants that hold water at the surface.
• Acetyl hexapeptide-8, a peptide used in expression-line formulas.

No fragrance, no essential oils, no alcohol, no silicone, no mineral oil. Vegan, cruelty-free.

Most serums are a long ingredient list with the active at the bottom. This is a short one with the active at the top.

Who this is for

Skin that is dehydrated rather than dry. The difference matters: dry skin lacks oil, dehydrated skin lacks water. If your face feels tight but still gets shiny by midday, that is dehydration, and this is the category for it.

Who this is not for

If you have a salmon or fish allergy, do not use this. PDRN is salmon-derived. That is not a theoretical concern and it is the first thing we would want you to know.

It is also not a retinol or an acid. It does not exfoliate and it will not resurface anything. If that is what you are shopping for, this is the wrong product and we would rather tell you now.

How to use it

Two to four pumps on clean skin, morning and night. Massage over face and neck until absorbed.

Follow with moisturizer, and with SPF in the morning. If you use one of our tallow creams, this goes on first and the cream seals it in. A water-based serum under an occlusive lipid is the correct order and it makes a real difference to how long the hydration lasts.

Questions people actually ask

What is PDRN, and is salmon DNA really in my serum?
Yes, in the sense that PDRN is polymerized DNA fragments derived from salmon. It has been used in Korean aesthetic medicine for years, most famously as an injectable skin booster.

Is a topical PDRN serum the same as the injectable treatment?
No. Injection places the ingredient in the dermis. A serum works at the surface. Anyone selling you a topical as equivalent to a clinic treatment is overstating it, and we are not going to.

Is it safe if I have a fish allergy?
No. Avoid it. Choose one of our tallow creams instead.

Can I use it with retinol or vitamin C?
Yes. It is a hydrating serum with no exfoliating acids, so it layers with most actives rather than competing with them. Apply the active first, then this, then moisturizer.

Will it help with fine lines?
It is formulated for hydration and a smoother-looking surface, and well-hydrated skin does make fine lines less visible. That is a cosmetic effect and it is not the same as treating them.

Is it fragrance-free?
Genuinely, yes. No fragrance, no essential oils, nothing added for scent.

How long does a bottle last?
30ml at two to four pumps twice daily is roughly six to eight weeks.

Is it vegan?
The formula is labeled vegan-friendly by the manufacturer. PDRN is salmon-derived, so if you avoid all animal-origin ingredients, this is not the product for you regardless of the label.

Shipping and the guarantee

Orders leave our US fulfillment partner in 1 to 5 business days, then 2 to 4 in transit. Tracking as soon as it moves.

Thirty-Day Happiness Guarantee. Try it. If it is not for you, email within 30 days and we will refund you. Opened bottles included.

Ingredients

Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Propanediol, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium PCA, Polydeoxyribonucleotide, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium Hydroxide.

Details

• Size: 1 fl oz (30 ml)
• Use: Twice daily, before moisturizer
• Free from: Fragrance, alcohol, parabens, phthalates, silicone, sulfates, mineral oil
• Manufactured in: USA

Warnings

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Do not use on broken skin. Discontinue if irritation occurs. Not suitable for anyone with a fish or salmon allergy. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place.

Orders ship directly from our trusted artisan and supplier partners.

Delivery times range from 7–20 business days depending on the item and your location.

You’ll receive tracking details via email once your order is on its way.