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Korean beauty brands always seem to be one step ahead of the rest of the industry, which is why so many innovative — and buzzworthy — ingredients come from K-beauty. PDRN is one of the latest ingredients to trend on social media for its skin-renewing and calming abilities, and PDRN masks are one of the easiest ways to introduce it to your skin care routine. The best PDRN masks are easy to use and provide both immediate and long-term benefits.
PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, is made up of fragments of DNA usually derived from salmon. It’s a popular ingredient in skin care products because it can address a range of skin concerns. Studies show it helps trigger cell turnover and regeneration and can even stimulate new collagen production, helping skin look firmer and smoother. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can soothe irritation. PDRN masks are typically sheet masks saturated with a PDRN-infused essence. Many are designed for overnight use, but you usually only need to wear them for a few hours to see their full benefits.
At BestReviews, we’ve evaluated dozens of PDRN masks to help us find the best formulas. Our top choice, the Medicube DRN Pink Collagen Jelly Gel Mask, stands out for its combination of PDRN and hydrolyzed collagen, which penetrate deeply for maximum absorption. It has a soothing, cooling effect on the skin and improves surface hydration and skin texture in just one treatment.
Best for Brightening Skin
Number of Masks: 4 | PDRN Type: Salmon | Key Supporting Ingredients: Hydrolyzed collagen and niacinamide | Mask Type: Gel | Best for: Firming, brightening and moisturizing
If you’re looking for a mask to really pamper your skin, the Medicube DRN Pink Collagen Jelly Gel Mask is the perfect candidate. Its advanced formulation features salmon-based PDRN and low-molecular-weight collagen, which easily penetrate the skin for complete absorption. The combination helps plump, smooth and brighten your skin. Best of all, the gel masks actually change from opaque to transparent as the ingredients make their way into your skin, so you know when they’re completely absorbed.
In addition to helping with firmness and brightening, these masks also deliver immediate surface hydration, so you can see and feel a difference after just one use. They aid in moisture retention for up to 24 hours and help improve the appearance of fine lines, too.
Each box of Medicube DRN Pink Collagen Jelly Gel Masks contains four masks, so your home spa nights are covered for a month. The masks instantly lower skin temperature by about 14 degrees, providing a cooling effect that feels especially good in warmer weather. They are dermatologist-tested, too, and don’t contain any artificial colors, making them unlikely to irritate even sensitive skin.
Best Overnight Mask
Number of Masks: 4 | PDRN Type: Plant-based | Key Supporting Ingredients: Panthenol and niacinamide | Mask Type: Gel | Best for: Hydrating and brightening
For those who want to wake up to bright, glowing skin, the VT Cosmetics PDRN Hydrogel Mask is one of the best overnight PDRN masks available. Instead of traditional salmon-based PDRN, they are infused with PDRN from Korean wild ginseng, so they are a vegan option if you prefer not to use products derived from animals. This plant-based PDRN has a lower molecular weight, too, making it more stable and effective at hydrating and brightening the skin.
In addition to PDRN, the masks contain panthenol to help seal in moisture and boost the skin’s protective barrier plus niacinamide to improve clarity and radiance. The combination can also help improve the look of uneven skin texture, including pores and fine lines, so your complexion looks smooth and refreshed.
While the VT Cosmetics PDRN Hydrogel Masks are designed for overnight use, you can see results from the masks in just three to four hours if you prefer to use them during the day. They become transparent as your skin absorbs the ingredients, so you always know when your treatment is done.
Best for Dehydrated Skin
Number of Masks: 4 | PDRN Type: Salmon | Key Supporting Ingredients: Caviar extract | Mask Type: Gel | Best for: Firming and moisturizing
The BIODANCE Rejuvenating Caviar PDRN Real Deep Masks feature a combination of PDRN and caviar extract that provides a host of benefits for the skin. The caviar extract contains proteins and essential nutrients that fortify the skin barrier, smooth the skin and leave it with a healthy glow, while the PDRN helps firm and strengthen the skin. Best of all, the masks require just one use to boost skin moisture by over 50%.
Despite their potency, these masks are safe for even sensitive skin. Featuring a nontoxic, nonirritating formula, they are free of allergens and harsh ingredients, including fragrances, making them suitable for all skin types. While they deliver noticeable results after one treatment, they also provide long-term benefits, so you’ll continue to see improvement with repeated use.
You can incorporate the BIODANCE Rejuvenating Caviar Masks as the final step in your nightly skin care routine. Wear them overnight, and you’ll wake up with refreshed skin. However, you can also use them during the day after applying your toner or serum, leaving them on for at least three hours. The gel material turns transparent to let you know when you’ve received the full benefits.
Best Peeling Mask
Number of Masks: N/A. 2.53 fl oz | PDRN Type: Salmon | Key Supporting Ingredients: Collagen, caffeine, hyaluronic acid and peptides | Mask Type: Peel-off gel| Best for: Firming and smoothing
The Medicube Wrapping Mask PDRN Caffeine Overnight Peel-Off Facial Mask is the ideal option if you aren’t a fan of gel-sheet masks. This peel-off formula contains a combination of salmon-based PDRN and caffeine, which helps to boost the skin’s moisture barrier and firm its natural contours for a more sculpted look.
The caffeine helps reduce puffiness, while PDRN improves skin texture for a smoother, firmer complexion. Additionally, the formula features hyaluronic acid and peptides, which help plump and moisturize the skin instantly.
To ensure a healthy glow, the mask is also infused with pink pearls. They not only boost your skin’s radiance after you peel the mask away, but they also leave you with a shimmering pink finish during your treatment. That makes the Medicube Wrapping Mask a fun addition to your next at-home spa night with friends.
The mask is designed for overnight use, so you can comfortably sleep in it after it dries for just 15 minutes. You can easily peel it away, but if you’re having trouble removing it, warm water helps remove any residue.
Best Premium, Clinical-Grade Mask
Number of Masks: 5 | PDRN Type: Salmon | Key Supporting Ingredients: Adenosine and ceramides | Mask Type: Microfiber | Best for: Firming and moisturizing
The REJURAN Turnover Masks deliver a professional-grade facial with PDRN benefits from the comfort of your home. They contain salmon DNA PDRN, which helps boost skin smoothness, elasticity and overall health. It also deeply hydrates and nourishes your skin, strengthening its natural protective barrier to soothe irritation. These masks use patented DNA technology that maximizes penetration and absorption to ensure your skin receives the full benefits of these cutting-edge ingredients.
The sheet masks are made of super-soft microfiber material, which is non-irritating and feels good against the skin. It also allows the masks to cling tightly to your face, guaranteeing full absorption of the ingredients. Each mask is infused with 40 milliliters of the concentrated PDRN essence, too, so you get a highly effective treatment every time.
While the REJURAN Turnover Masks are potent, they are still gentle enough for all skin types. They can be used after dermatological treatments to help soothe the skin or weekly as part of your skin care routine to help achieve smoother, firmer skin. Each box contains five masks, too, so you get an excellent value.
With so many PDRN masks to choose from, selecting the right one for your skin care routine can be difficult. To identify the best formulas, we studied customer reviews from several online retailers to see which masks best met expectations. In particular, we considered which PDRN masks were easiest to use, fit most comfortably, stayed in place best, hydrated the skin most effectively, provided the most visible glow and were compatible with most skin types. Ultimately, we evaluated over a dozen PDRN masks and chose the top picks based on ease of use, fit and overall effectiveness in improving skin hydration, texture, brightness and/or firmness.
PDRN masks provide the benefits of PDRN in an intensive treatment that can be used several times a week, depending on the formula. They can target a wide range of skin issues because PDRN plays a key role in skin regeneration. BestReviews Executive Editor Maria Guido has been testing skin-care products for years and says PDRN "leaves your skin feeling immediately more hydrated and supple."
Some benefits of incorporating PDRN masks into your skin care routine include:
Gel/jelly mask
PDRN gel masks are usually sheet masks made from hydrogel. They often have a cooling effect on the skin and have a slick, smooth surface that clings easily to the face and is less likely to cause irritation. PDRN gel sheet masks are somewhat fragile, though, and can tear if you aren’t careful. They can also be very slippery, making them difficult to handle.
Additionally, you can find some jelly PDRN masks. These formulas typically come in a tube and must be spread on the skin with clean fingers or a silicone brush. After drying for several minutes, they form a film that you can then peel off. However, PDRN jelly masks don’t always peel off cleanly and can leave pieces on the skin that require rinsing with warm water to remove.
Microfiber sheet mask
Some PDRN sheet masks are made from microfiber rather than hydrogel. Microfiber masks are thick, so they don’t tear easily, allowing them to conform to the contours of your face. The microfiber isn’t always very breathable, though, which can make it less comfortable to wear for extended periods and may even irritate sensitive skin.
Salmon PDRN
PDRN masks usually feature PDRN sourced from the DNA of salmon, trout or other fish. Salmon DNA is the preferred option because it is most similar in structure to human DNA and typically provides the best results for the skin. The DNA is sterilized and filtered to remove impurities, so it is safe to apply to the face.
Unfortunately, those with seafood allergies cannot use salmon-based PDRN because it can trigger a reaction. Some users also have concerns about the ethical implications of using animal-derived ingredients in skin care products and overfishing salmon populations.
Plant-based PDRN
For those looking for a vegan alternative to salmon PDRN, you can find some masks that use plant-based PDRN. The PDRN is usually sourced from ginseng, but it can also come from green tea, roses or other botanicals.
Unfortunately, there aren’t as many studies on plant-based PDRN as there are for salmon PDRN. As a result, plant-based PDRN masks may not be as effective as salmon-based formulas.
Supporting active ingredients
PDRN masks add other ingredients to PDRN, enabling them to better address skin concerns, such as redness, dryness, fine lines and dull skin. Here are some of the most widely used supporting ingredients and how they can help improve the look and feel of your skin.
A. PDRN masks typically come in boxes with at least three treatments, but prices vary based on how many masks are included, the type of PDRN and the supporting ingredients. Masks featuring vegan PDRN are generally the most affordable, ranging from $2 to $3 per mask. Those that feature salmon-based PDRN are more expensive, costing between $3 and $6 per mask. For professional-grade masks with the highest-quality PDRN and supporting ingredients, expect to spend between $6 and $10 per mask.
A. For the best results, you should use a PDRN mask at least once a week. However, because they are usually fairly gentle and safe for sensitive skin, you can use them two to three times per week to see results more quickly.
Jennifer Blair has covered kitchen, home, lifestyle and beauty topics for BestReviews for nine years. She has written over 150 articles on products such as knife sets, robot vacuums, water bottles and facial cleansers. At home, she is a K-beauty enthusiast and a big fan of Medicube’s Pink PDRN line.
