Short answer: the Klairs Vitamin PDRN Bouncy Pore Serum is a vegan, salmon-free PDRN serum. It uses 3 types of vegan PDRN derived from rice, ginseng and lactobacillus (never salmon or fish), together with a peptide complex and 5 types of vitamin C, to help skin look smoother and bouncier and pores look more refined. It is a cosmetic topical serum, not an injectable PDRN procedure, and there is no fragrance or essential oil on its ingredient list. Here are the questions people ask most before trying it.
What It Is, in Plain Terms
PDRN has become one of the most searched K-beauty ingredients, but classic PDRN is salmon-derived. The Vitamin PDRN Bouncy Pore Serum takes a salmon-free route: its PDRN (listed on the ingredient label as Sodium DNA) is vegan, derived from rice, ginseng and lactobacillus. Around it, the formula adds peptides (acetyl hexapeptide-1, acetyl hexapeptide-8 and copper tripeptide-1), five forms of vitamin C, niacinamide, adenosine and centella asiatica extract. The goal is cosmetic: skin that looks bouncier and smoother, with pores that look less noticeable, in a light serum that layers easily under moisturizer.
Who It Suits
- Vegan-conscious shoppers who want PDRN without a salmon or fish source.
- Visible pores and rough-looking texture that you want to look smoother and more refined.
- Tired, less bouncy-looking skin that wants a firmer-looking, more resilient finish.
- Sensitive-feeling skin looking for a fragrance-free, sensitive-skin tested serum.
- Normal, combination and oily skin that prefers a lightweight, fast-absorbing texture.
How to Use It
After cleansing and toner, dispense 2 to 3 drops with the dropper, spread evenly and lightly pat until absorbed, then follow with moisturizer. It can be used morning or night; in the morning, finish with sunscreen. If your routine already includes other active products, pair it with a simple, comforting moisturizer and introduce one new product at a time. Patch test first if your skin reacts easily.
Klairs Vitamin PDRN Bouncy Pore Serum FAQ
Is the PDRN in this serum vegan or salmon-derived?
It is vegan and salmon-free. The serum uses 3 types of vegan PDRN derived from rice, ginseng and lactobacillus, never salmon or fish. On the ingredient list, PDRN appears as Sodium DNA. That makes it an option for people who are curious about PDRN but prefer skincare made without animal-derived ingredients; we explain the wider trend in what is vegan PDRN, and why sensitive skin shoppers are looking for salmon-free options.
How is vegan PDRN different from salmon PDRN?
The difference is the source. Classic PDRN used in skincare is salmon-derived, while vegan PDRN comes from non-animal sources; in this serum, those are rice, ginseng and lactobacillus. Both appear on labels as Sodium DNA, so the source is something the brand has to state. For shoppers, the practical point is choice: you can try a PDRN serum without a fish-derived ingredient, in a formula that is vegan and cruelty-free.
Is a PDRN serum the same as a PDRN injection?
No. This is a cosmetic topical serum that you apply to the surface of your skin at home. PDRN injections are in-clinic procedures performed by professionals, which are a completely different thing. A topical PDRN serum works as part of your skincare routine to help how skin looks and feels, and it should not be compared with or used as a substitute for a professional procedure. Read more in what is PDRN in skincare, and how it differs from PDRN injections.
What are the key ingredients?
The main ingredients are vegan PDRN (Sodium DNA); a peptide complex of acetyl hexapeptide-1, acetyl hexapeptide-8 and copper tripeptide-1; five forms of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl glucoside and ascorbyl palmitate); and niacinamide. The formula also includes adenosine, nicotinamide mononucleotide, centella asiatica extract and astaxanthin. Always refer to the full ingredient list on the current product label.
Will it shrink my pores?
No product changes your actual pore size, which is largely genetic. This serum is designed to help skin look smoother and pores look more refined and less noticeable, as part of a consistent routine. Expect gradual, cosmetic changes in how your skin's texture looks rather than a permanent change. Our guide PDRN for pores: what it can and can't do sets realistic expectations.
Is this PDRN serum fragrance-free?
Yes. There is no fragrance and no essential oil on its ingredient list. It is also positioned as vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. As with any new product, patch test first, especially if your skin reacts easily.
Is it suitable for sensitive skin?
It is positioned for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and the formula has completed a sensitive-skin irritation test. Because it contains several vitamin C forms and niacinamide, some people new to vitamin-focused serums prefer to start slowly, for example every other day at first. Patch test, introduce it on its own, and stop using it if anything stings or feels uncomfortable.
How do I use it in my routine?
Use it after cleansing and toner and before moisturizer. Dispense 2 to 3 drops, spread evenly and lightly pat in until absorbed. It works morning or night; in the morning, finish with sunscreen. If your routine already includes other active products, keep the rest of the routine simple and pair it with a comforting barrier cream.
Can I use it with a vitamin C serum or retinol?
It already contains five forms of vitamin C, so you usually do not need a separate vitamin C serum. With a retinoid, start by using this serum in the morning or on non-retinoid nights, then combine them once your skin is comfortable. Introducing one active at a time makes it easier to see how your skin responds.
What does it feel like on the skin?
It has a cushiony serum texture that absorbs quickly and layers comfortably, without a heavy or sticky finish. That makes it easy to wear under moisturizer and makeup, including in warm or humid weather, and suits people who dislike rich, slow-absorbing serums.
Is it vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes. Beyond the salmon-free PDRN, the serum is described as a vegan formula, and Dear, Klairs is a cruelty-free brand. If vegan skincare is your main filter, this is one of the clearer PDRN options because the PDRN source itself is non-animal.
What size is it, and how much does it cost?
The Vitamin PDRN Bouncy Pore Serum comes in a 35 mL dropper bottle, listed at $23.00 on klairs.com at the time of writing. Check current pricing, sets and details on the product page.
This is a cosmetic product. This article is general education and is not medical advice; the product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is a topical cosmetic serum, not an injectable or in-clinic procedure. If your skin is sensitive, patch test before use.
