The Salmon DNA Method

The Salmon DNA Method

PDRN Stacking

Not layering. Teamwork.

Salmon DNA in every step of your routine, working as one, for a skin barrier that holds. Clearer, smoother, glowing looking skin.

What is PDRN Stacking?Shop the stack

Definition

What is PDRN Stacking?

PDRN Stacking is the Korean method of building your whole routine around salmon DNA (PDRN), an ingredient around 95% similar to human DNA, so your skin recognises it. Your cleanser, serum, moisturiser, sunscreen, masks, eye patches, peel and skin booster all carry PDRN and work together as one system to keep your skin barrier strong. A strong barrier locks moisture in and keeps everyday stressors out, so skin looks clearer, smoother, plumper and glowing.

The term was originated by Sam Thompson, founder of Salmon DNA Australia on the Gold Coast, in 2026. Also written as PDRN stacking, and known simply as the PDRN Stack.

The principles

01

One ingredient, every step

Salmon DNA runs through the whole routine, from cleanser to sunscreen, instead of sitting in one hero serum surrounded by unrelated products.

02

Built to work together

Every product is designed to work with the next, so nothing clashes, cancels out or overloads your skin. One language, start to finish.

03

Barrier first

The goal is a strong skin barrier that locks moisture in. Glow, smoothness and clearer looking skin follow from there.

The stack

What goes in a PDRN Stack

Every day

Morning and night. Sunscreen in the morning.

CureNex Hydrating Cleanser with PDRNCureNex Hydrating Cleanser with PDRN1. Cleanse without stripping$69 ShopCureNex Salmon DNA Daily SerumCureNex Salmon DNA Daily Serum2. The everyday glow serum$49 ShopCureNex Salmon DNA PDRN Face CreamCureNex Salmon DNA PDRN Face Cream3. Lock moisture in$69 ShopCureNex Salmon DNA Sheer SunscreenCureNex Salmon DNA Sheer Sunscreen4. Protect, every morning$67.90 Shop

Through the week

Top ups and occasional treatments, never daily.

CureNex Salmon DNA Sheet MasksCureNex Salmon DNA Sheet MasksA ten minute top up, a few times a week$55 ShopPuri Eyes Salmon DNA Eye PatchesPuri Eyes Salmon DNA Eye PatchesUnder eyes, a couple of times a week$89 ShopCureNex Salmon DNA Snow PeelCureNex Salmon DNA Snow PeelEvery two to four weeks$179 ShopCureNex Salmon DNA PDRN Skin Booster, box of 5CureNex Salmon DNA PDRN Skin Booster, box of 5Intensive treatment, once a week or once a month$199 Shop

Start with all four daily steps in one box: the CureNex Salmon DNA 4 Step Set, $229 or 4 x $57.25 with Afterpay. Prefer exosomes? The Vitaran Exosome Salmon DNA 3 Step Set builds the stack in two steps, morning and night.

Why the barrier matters

What a strong skin barrier does

  • Locks moisture in, so skin feels less tight and dry.
  • Helps keep everyday stressors out, like aircon, sun, wind and pollution.
  • Smoother, softer texture you can feel.
  • A plumper, bouncier look, with fine lines looking softer.
  • Clearer, more even looking skin.
  • That lit from within glow, because smooth, hydrated skin reflects light.

Layering

Unrelated products piled on top of each other. A serum from one brand, a cream from another, a sunscreen that has nothing to do with either.

PDRN Stacking

One ingredient your skin recognises, running through every step. Each product designed to work with the next, as one team.

The science, in plain English

Bricks and mortar

Your skin barrier is built like a wall. Skin cells are the bricks and lipids are the mortar: roughly half ceramides, a quarter cholesterol and most of the rest fatty acids. That mortar is what locks moisture in.

A water loving molecule

Purified salmon DNA is listed in the EU cosmetic ingredient database as a skin conditioning ingredient. It is around 95% similar to human DNA, so it is an ingredient your skin recognises.

Widely researched

Polynucleotides, the salmon DNA family, are being studied for skin hydration and barrier function in laboratory and human studies, much of it from Korea.

Read the research: the skin barrier and its lipids · polynucleotides in esthetic medicine · polynucleotides and barrier function · sodium DNA in the EU ingredient database

The Salmon DNA Method

Three ideas that work together

The routine

PDRN Stacking

Salmon DNA in every step, working as one.

You are here

The daily habit

Barrier Banking

Small deposits every day, so skin holds up on the hard days.

Read the definition

The lead up

Barrier Loading

Six weeks of loading your routine before a big moment.

Read the definition

Questions

Frequently asked

What is PDRN Stacking?

PDRN Stacking is the Korean method of building your whole routine around salmon DNA (PDRN), an ingredient around 95% similar to human DNA, so your skin recognises it. Your cleanser, serum, moisturiser, sunscreen, masks, eye patches, peel and skin booster all carry PDRN and work together as one system to keep your skin barrier strong. A strong barrier locks moisture in and keeps everyday stressors out, so skin looks clearer, smoother, plumper and glowing.

Who originated PDRN Stacking?

PDRN Stacking was originated in 2026 by Sam Thompson, founder of Salmon DNA Australia on the Gold Coast, the official Australian and New Zealand distributor of CureNex and Vitaran Korean skincare.

Is PDRN Stacking the same as layering?

No. Layering is any mix of products on top of each other, often from different brands that were never designed to work together. PDRN Stacking means every step shares one ingredient your skin recognises, salmon DNA, and each product is designed to work with the next.

What does PDRN stand for?

Polydeoxyribonucleotide, a purified form of salmon DNA and the hero ingredient of professional Korean skincare.

Do I need every product to start?

No. Most people start with a salmon DNA cleanser, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen, then add masks, eye patches, a peel and an occasional skin booster treatment as the stack grows.

How is PDRN Stacking different from mass market K beauty?

Mass market K beauty is made for volume. PDRN Stacking is built on professional Korean ranges where purified salmon DNA is the hero of the formula, made at higher concentrations, rather than a headline on the box.

Who should not use salmon DNA?

Salmon DNA (PDRN) is not suitable for anyone with a fish allergy. Patch test each new product before use.

About the originator

Sam Thompson, Salmon DNA Australia

Sam Thompson is the founder of Salmon DNA Australia, a skincare company on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and the official Australian and New Zealand distributor of CureNex and Vitaran, professional Korean ranges built around purified salmon DNA. Sam created PDRN Stacking, Barrier Banking and Barrier Loading as one method, The Salmon DNA Method, to explain how salmon DNA skincare works best: as a whole routine rather than a single product.

Visit Salmon DNA Australia

Build your PDRN Stack

CureNex and Vitaran, the professional Korean salmon DNA ranges, from their official Australian and New Zealand distributor.

Shop at Salmon DNA Australia

Official ANZ distributor · Stocked on the Gold Coast · Afterpay · Free shipping over $150