Rejuran Cosmetics is a topical skincare line from South Korean pharmaceutical company PharmaResearch, the maker of the well-known Rejuran injectable. The Healer Turnover Ampoule is positioned as a regenerative serum built around polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), which is derived from salmon.
But does Rejuran Cosmetics research-backed ingredients? Are the brand's "clinically proven" claims supported by real research? Are there any unhealthy ingredients? And is Rejuran better or worse than other popular Korean skincare brands like Medicube?
In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in Rejuran's most popular product to give our take on whether or not it's likely to be effective, and whether or not it's healthy.
We'll also share our concerns about the brand's central marketing claims, and compare Rejuran to other popular K-beauty brands to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Contains research-backed active ingredients
- "Clinically proven" claim is based on a single-volunteer in-house study
- We do not currently recommend Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule
Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in Rejuran Cosmetics Healer Turnover Ampoule are shown below:
image source: https://www.rejurancosmetics.com/
Hydrolyzed DNA, also known as polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), is the brand's central active.
It's clinically shown to support tissue repair and skin regeneration.
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 that's clinically shown to reduce the visible signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles.
Adenosine and arbutin are additional research-backed actives included in this formulation.
Adenosine is used in skincare for its wrinkle-reduction effects, and arbutin is a research-backed skin-brightening compound that helps reduce hyperpigmentation.
Sodium hyaluronate is included as a hydrating active, and the formula also contains licorice root extract, calendula extract, and tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E).
Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that we consider an ingredient of concern, as we discussed in our Rodan and Fields lash serum review article.
The remaining inactive ingredients in this product should be safe and non-toxic.
We consider Rejuran Cosmetics likely to have anti-aging effects, but we don't currently recommend this product due to the inclusion of phenoxyethanol.
Questionable Health Claims on Brand Website
The brand markets the Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule with several "clinically proven" claims, two of which we find questionable.
The brand claims the product "Improves Results Following Cosmetic Procedures," with fine print citing an in-house study performed on a single volunteer using the product twice daily for two weeks:
image source: https://www.rejurancosmetics.com/
A single-subject in-house study does not constitute clinical evidence at any standard, and presenting it under "clinically proven" language is highly questionable.
The brand also claims that "clinical studies confirm faster healing," with fine print citing a 22-subject brand-funded study by the Korea Institute of Dermatological Science:
image source: https://www.rejurancosmetics.com/
While this study is larger and may be more legitimate, we consider brand-funded studies that have not been published in peer-reviewed journals to be worthless due to the significant bias risks.
It's also worth noting that Rejuran's clinical reputation, which the brand's marketing leverages, comes primarily from injectable Rejuran (PDRN), which we cannot identify as having FDA approval in the United States.
The topical ampoule we're reviewing is a cosmetic product, separately regulated, but the brand's clinical credibility rests on the injectable's medical reputation.
We urge Rejuran to remove the "clinically proven" framing around the single-volunteer in-house study and to commission an independent randomized controlled trial measuring the same outcomes.
Rejuran vs. Popular K-Beauty Brands
Here's how Rejuran Healer Turnover Ampoule compares to other popular Korean skincare brands in terms of formulation quality, in our opinion:
Sulwhasoo
Sulwhasoo is a luxury Korean skincare brand. The brand uses Panax ginseng, which is clinically shown to reduce facial wrinkles in randomized placebo-controlled trials.
However, Sulwhasoo contains multiple fragrance compounds, including linalool, citronellol, citral, and geraniol, which we consider unhealthy in a skincare product.
Rejuran is the winner from a health perspective.
Winner: Rejuran
Medicube
Medicube's Zero Pore Pad contains research-backed actives like lactic acid and salicylic acid, but as we documented in our Medicube review article, it also contains multiple essential-oil fragrance ingredients that may irritate sensitive skin.
Both brands have flagged inactive ingredients. Medicube has five fragrance oils while Rejuran has one synthetic preservative, giving Rejuran the edge from a health perspective.
Winner: Rejuran
Incellderm
Incellderm is another Korean luxury skincare brand. Its formulations include Centella asiatica, ceramides, and sodium hyaluronate, with no flagged inactive ingredients.
While Rejuran's active stack is broad, Incellderm's clean inactive ingredient list gives it the edge from a health perspective.
Incellderm is the winner from a health perspective.
Winner: Incellderm
Rejuran Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Research-backed active ingredients
- Niacinamide and PDRN at prominent positions
- Multiple hydrating and brightening actives
- Healthier than some competitors
- Includes botanical extracts and vitamin E
Cons:
- Contains phenoxyethanol
- Contains benzyl alcohol
- "Clinically proven" claim based on a single-volunteer in-house study
- Topical PDRN evidence is thinner than the injectable evidence the brand markets on
- Injectable Rejuran does not appear to be FDA-approved in the US
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested as a finished product in independent trials
