Best polynucleotides: Plinest, PolyPhil, Rejuran, Nucleofill compared

In short: Behind the best-known names are four manufacturers. Plinest comes from Mastelli in Italy, the pioneer of polynucleotides. PolyPhil is distributed by the Austrian company Croma-Pharma and also manufactured by Mastelli. Rejuran hails from South Korea and has made "salmon DNA" known worldwide. Nucleofill comes from Italy and works with PDRN, a related DNA fraction. They all aim for the same thing: to stimulate cell regeneration. Differences lie in origin, concentration, and purity.

Anyone interested in polynucleotides can quickly lose track. Different names keep cropping up – and nobody explains how they are related. That's exactly what we're doing here. To be clear: in our clinic, we work with PolyPhil™; we are presenting the other preparations for context, so that you understand the field.

First: polynucleotides or PDRN?

Two abbreviations you'll repeatedly encounter are polynucleotides (PN) and polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN). PN are long DNA chains, while PDRN are a specific, somewhat shorter fraction. Both originate from purified fish DNA and both stimulate fibroblasts. The terms are often used interchangeably; what matters most in practice is the purity and how the preparation has been processed. Broadly classified: Plinest, PolyPhil, and Rejuran are listed as polynucleotides, and Nucleofill as PDRN.

Plinest – The Italian Origin

Plinest comes from Mastelli, an Italian pharmaceutical company from Sanremo, which has been researching DNA-based active ingredients since the 1950s. Mastelli developed the PN-HPT purification technology, which to this day sets the standard for highly pure polynucleotides. The DNA originates from fish – historically from trout.

The Plinest family is extensive: classic Plinest for mature skin, Plinest Fast for delicate areas such as the eye region, as well as variants for the body and scalp. There are also preparations that combine polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid for additional hydration. Plinest is particularly well-known in the European and Russian markets.

PolyPhil – Made by Mastelli, available through Croma-Pharma

PolyPhil belongs to the product line of the Austrian company Croma-Pharma. The packaging lists Mastelli in Sanremo as the manufacturer – the same company and the same PN-HPT purification technology as Plinest. This is why PolyPhil and Plinest share the same origin, even though they are distinct products.

In practice, there are two main versions: PolyPhil for younger skin and fine lines, and PolyPhil Next for mature, dehydrated skin — Next adds hyaluronic acid for extra moisture. There is also a dedicated formula for the delicate eye area. PolyPhil is available in Switzerland, whereas Mastelli does not distribute directly here. We explain what this means for you in Plinest or PolyPhil?.

Rejuran – the Korean "salmon DNA"

Rejuran comes from the South Korean company PharmaResearch and has popularised the "Salmon DNA" treatment trend worldwide. The DNA is derived from salmon. Rejuran is classified as a purified polynucleotide and is widely used and researched in Korea – it has been firmly established there for years.

Rejuran also has variants: one for the eye area and one that supplements hyaluronic acid. In Korea, it is considered one of the flagships of regenerative skin medicine.

Nucleofill – PDRN from Italy

Nucleofill is from Promoitalia and works with PDRN. There are several strengths for different areas of the skin, from delicate eye skin to firmer zones. The principle is the same – stimulating cell renewal – but the fraction and processing differ.

The overview

The variants with hyaluronic acid – and for the eyes

One point often causes confusion: some of these preparations additionally contain hyaluronic acid, while others do not. The pure polynucleotide stimulates the cells; if hyaluronic acid is added, it also provides immediate moisture. This is why several brands have a "plus moisture" variant – for example, PolyPhil Next with hyaluronic acid, corresponding hyaluronic acid combinations from Plinest, and an HA variant from Rejuran.

Almost every brand offers a gentler, lower-concentration formula for the sensitive eye area — including PolyPhil, Plinest, Rejuran, and Nucleofill. Which option suits dark circles and the eye area depends on your skin condition.

Important for context: none of these preparations are fillers. They are skin boosters that stimulate the skin to regenerate – they do not create artificial volume. You can read how this fundamentally relates to hyaluronic acid in the comparison. Polynucleotides or hyaluron.

What we use in the clinic – and why

In the alestetics® At our clinic in Zurich, we work with PolyPhil™. It shares the PN-HPT provenance of Italian pioneer Mastelli, is regularly available in Switzerland, and covers different skin needs with its variants. We will clarify which variant is right for you in the free AURA 3D skin analysis.

Read on

• Plinest or PolyPhil? The Mastelli connection
• What are polynucleotides?
• Polynucleotides: Approval in Europe, Korea, USA and Russia

Is Plinest available in Switzerland? Mastelli, the manufacturer of Plinest, does not currently sell directly in Switzerland. However, Mastelli's polynucleotides are available here as PolyPhil – with Mastelli identified as the manufacturer on its packaging.

Is PolyPhil the same as Plinest? No, they are separate products with different formulas. They share the same origin: both use PN-HPT® technology and are made by Mastelli. PolyPhil is distributed by the Austrian company Croma-Pharma.

What is the difference between Newest and PolyPhil Next? Both combine polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid — Newest belongs to the Mastelli range (with added mannitol as an antioxidant), PolyPhil Next to the Croma range. The idea is the same: regeneration plus moisture.

What is the concentration of PolyPhil? PolyPhil contains long-chain polynucleotides at a concentration of 20 mg/ml, in a 2 ml pre-filled syringe. Plinest is in a comparable range.

Does PolyPhil contain hyaluronic acid? The pure PolyPhil contains only polynucleotides. The PolyPhil Next variant combines polynucleotides with hyaluronic acid as well — comparable to Newest from the Mastelli range.