In short: Behind the best-known names lie four manufacturers. Plinest comes from Mastelli in Italy, the pioneer in polynucleotides. PolyPhil is distributed by the Austrian company Croma-Pharma and also manufactured by Mastelli. Rejuran originates from South Korea and has made „salmon DNA» famous worldwide. Nucleofill comes from Italy and works with PDRN, a related DNA fraction. All aim for the same thing: stimulating cell renewal. Differences lie in origin, concentration, and purity.
Anyone interested in polynucleotides can quickly lose track. Different names keep appearing everywhere – and no one explains how they relate to each other. That's exactly what we're doing here. To get ahead of things: In our clinic, we work with PolyPhil™; we present the other preparations for contextualisation, so that you understand the field.
First: polynucleotides or PDRN?
You will repeatedly encounter two abbreviations. Polynucelotides (PN) are long DNA chains. PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a specific, somewhat shorter fraction. Both are derived from purified fish DNA, and both stimulate fibroblasts. The terms are often used interchangeably; what really counts in practice is the purity and how the preparation was processed. Broadly classified: Plinest, PolyPhil, and Rejuran are categorised as polynucleotides, Nucleofill as PDRN.
Plinest – The Italian Origin
Plinest comes from Mastelli, an Italian pharmaceutical company from Sanremo that 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 more mature skin, Plinest Fast for delicate areas such as the eye region, plus 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 – manufactured by Mastelli, available from Croma-Pharma
PolyPhil belongs to the product range of the Austrian company Croma-Pharma. The packaging lists Mastelli in Sanremo as the manufacturer – the same company and the same PN-HPT cleaning technology as Plinest. This is why PolyPhil and Plinest share the same origin, even though they are independent products.
In practice, there are two main variants: PolyPhil for younger-looking skin and fine lines and PolyPhil Next for mature, dehydrated skin – Next additionally contains hyaluronic acid for more moisture. There is also a variant specifically for the delicate eye area. PolyPhil is available in Switzerland, while Mastelli itself does not have its own sales channel here. What this means for you – especially if you were looking for Plinest – we explain in detail in the article 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 here originates from salmon. Rejuran is classified as a purified polynucleotide and is widely used and researched in Korea – where it has been firmly established for years.
Rejuran also has variations: 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 comes 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 – stimulation of cell renewal – the fraction and processing differ.
The overview
| Brand | Manufacturer / Country | Active ingredient | DNA source | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plinest | Mastelli, Italy | Polynucleotides (PN-HPT) | Fish (trout) | the pioneer; broad product family |
| PolyPhil | Croma-Pharma (Austria), produced by Mastelli | Polynucleotides (PN-HPT) | European freshwater fish | Available in Switzerland; version with HA |
| Rejuran | PharmaResearch, South Korea | Polynucleotides | Salmon | made „salmon DNA» world-famous |
| Nucleofill | Promoitalia, Italy | PDRN | Fish | Several strengths per skin area |
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 offer a „plus-moisture» variant – for example, PolyPhil Next with hyaluronic acid, corresponding hyaluron combinations from Plinest, as well as an HA variant from Rejuran.
For the sensitive eye area, there is almost always their own, gentler variant with a lower concentration – with PolyPhil as well as with Plinest, Rejuran and Nucleofill. Which for Dark circles and the eye area whether it is considered depends on the condition of the skin.
To provide 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® In a clinic in Zurich we work with PolyPhil™. It shares the PN-HPT lineage of the Italian pioneer Mastelli, is readily available in Switzerland, and its variants cater for different skin needs. We'll 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?
- Nucleotides: Authorisation 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 under the name PolyPhil, with Mastelli listed as the manufacturer on its packaging.
Is PolyPhil the same as Plinest? No, they are independent products with different formulations. What they have in common is their origin: both are based on PN-HPT® technology and are manufactured at Mastelli. PolyPhil is distributed through 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 hydration.
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 of a comparable magnitude.
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.
Is Plinest available in Switzerland?
Mastelli, the manufacturer of Plinest, does not currently sell directly in Switzerland. However, Mastelli's polynucleotides are available here under the name PolyPhil, with Mastelli listed as the manufacturer on its packaging.
Is PolyPhil the same as Plinest?
No, they are independent products with different formulations. What they have in common is their origin: both are based on PN-HPT® technology and are manufactured at Mastelli. PolyPhil is distributed through 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 hydration.
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 of a comparable magnitude.
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.
