Collagen + PDRN: Why Experts Are Pairing These Ingredients for Firmer, Plumper Skin

As more regenerative skincare innovations hit the market, experts are developing formulas that do more than target a single concern, and instead combine complementary ingredients to address multiple signs of aging. That’s welcome news for those of us looking to clear up bathroom shelf space and simplify routines. 

So what’s the latest ingredient duo experts are loving? Collagen and PDRN. While both have earned a reputation for supporting firmer, plumper-looking skin, they work in different ways—and when paired together, the two can deliver powerful results. To understand the difference between both and how they function in tandem for visible anti-aging benefits, we spoke to board-certified dermatologist and Clinique partner Dr. Kunal Malik, MD, to break it all down. 

Meet the Expert

Kunal Malik, MD, is a FAAD cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology and an assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai.

How Does Collagen Actually Work in Skincare?

Let’s start with the basics. Collagen is one of the most important structural proteins found in the body. It’s an essential building block for skin, bones, muscles, and so much more. According to Malik, collagen production decreases by about 1% each year starting in our mid-twenties. That gradual decline can contribute to visible signs of aging, including loss of firmness, deeper lines, and skin that doesn’t spring back the way it used to.

That’s why collagen is such a popular ingredient in anti-aging skincare routines, but there are some common misconceptions about how topical collagen works that Malik wants to clear up. “Topical collagen does not itself step into the place of lost structural collagen and replace it,” he says. 

Instead, skincare formulas that contain topical collagen, like the Clinique Smart Clinical Repair^™ Collagen + PDRN Cream, utilize hydrolyzed collagen fragments, which work to support skin’s natural collagen. The result? Skin that looks and feels smoother, firmer, and more resilient. “Another thing I want more people to know about collagen is that it offers synergistic benefits when paired as part of a system,” Malik says. Enter: PDRN.

What Role Does PDRN Play?

PDRN serves its own role in skincare formulas. As a compound traditionally sourced from salmon DNA or produced through biotech alternatives, PDRN works to support the skin’s natural repair, including supporting skin’s natural collagen and elastin, which are key to helping skin look and feel smoother and plumper.

Why Should You Pair Collagen with PDRN?

Collagen and PDRN play a key and synergistic role in regenerative skincare, addressing the visible effects of collagen loss and taking a more proactive approach to helping maintain firmer, more youthful-looking skin.

So where can you find this coveted formula duo? One of Malik’s most recommended products is the Clinique Smart Clinical Repair^™ Collagen + PDRN Cream. “Clinique experts have combined PDRN with hydrolyzed collagen, a multi-peptide complex, hyaluronic acid, and glycerin, to develop a highly effective multi-function product.” In clinical testing of 35 women using the cream twice daily for four weeks, the formula was shown to leave skin looking plumper and feeling firmer.

“Research also shows that collagen and PDRN together help amplify the collagen-supporting power of the peptides found in the Clinique Collagen + PDRN Cream,” Malik says. “Therefore, while similar in their function, these two ingredients can be highly complementary when used together.”

Why is Clinique’s Approach to Collagen and PDRN Different?

Clinique takes a different approach to traditional salmon-derived PDRN, using a biotech-derived PDRN sourced from cica, a plant known for renewal. The Smart Clinical Repair^™ Collagen + PDRN Cream also delivers its trio of PDRN, collagen, and peptides in a bouncy, lightweight formula that nourishes the skin. Introducing anti-aging ingredients through a moisturizer like this is one of the gentlest options for those with sensitive skin, according to Malik. 

Just remember—the key to long-term results is consistency. “Neither ingredient alone reverses aging, but consistent use helps maintain a higher functional baseline than you’d have without,” Malik shares.

Ready to streamline your routine? Shop the Clinique Smart Clinical Repair^™ Collagen + PDRN Cream and give your skin a multitasking boost.