Polynucleotide skin boosters 101: PN, exosomes and the "skin quality" trend

Published July 14, 2026 · 3 min read

“Skin quality” treatments are the fastest-growing corner of aesthetic medicine: instead of adding volume (fillers) or freezing muscles (toxins), they aim to improve the condition of the skin itself — hydration, elasticity, texture, glow. Polynucleotide boosters are the headline act of this category. Here’s what they are and where products like the RICHESSE line fit.

One thing first: skin boosters are professional products, administered by trained practitioners via injection or needling protocols. This article is education for curious patients and buyers — not a how-to.

What is a polynucleotide (PN)?

Polynucleotides are purified chains of DNA fragments, most commonly derived from salmon — chosen for its high biocompatibility with human tissue. In aesthetic use, purified PN is injected in microdroplets into the skin, where it’s used as a tissue-conditioning agent: practitioners reach for it to support skin regeneration, elasticity and hydration, particularly in thin, crepey or post-damage skin.

PN treatments are often described as “biostimulators” — the point isn’t to fill a wrinkle mechanically but to give the tissue raw material and signals associated with better-functioning skin.

PN vs. hyaluronic-acid boosters vs. exosomes

• HA skin boosters flood the skin with hyaluronic acid — excellent for hydration and surface glow, shorter-lived by nature.
• PN boosters target tissue quality and elasticity; effects build across a treatment course.
• Exosome products are the newest wave: cell-derived vesicles carrying growth-factor-type signals, typically used topically after needling procedures.

Many protocols combine them: an HA booster for immediate hydration, PN courses for structural quality, exosomes as post-procedure support.

The RICHESSE line

RICHESSE™ is a Korean professional line built around exactly this spectrum:

• PN 2.5 — a high-concentration polynucleotide booster (the “workhorse” tissue-quality product).
• éYes — a PN formulation designed for the delicate eye area and tear trough.
• Aqua Prime — a PN + HA combination for hydration-led protocols.
• EXO19 — an exosome product for regeneration-focused protocols.
• Meso Queen — a jalupro-style meso-booster cocktail.
• PLA — a PLLA-based biostimulator for firmness-focused treatment plans.

You can browse the range in our skin boosters category. Availability and pricing are shown to registered professional buyers.

What a treatment course looks like

A typical PN protocol is a series — commonly 3–4 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart, with maintenance sessions a couple of times a year. Downtime is usually minor (needle marks, possible small bumps for a day or two), which is part of the category’s popularity. Results are gradual and cumulative: think “healthier-looking skin at rest,” not an overnight transformation.

FAQ

Are polynucleotide boosters the same as fillers?

No. Fillers add volume in a specific place; PN boosters are distributed in tiny droplets across an area to condition the tissue itself. They solve different problems and are often used together in a treatment plan.

Who administers these products?

Licensed medical or aesthetic professionals. Skin boosters are injectable-class products — they are not for home use, and reputable suppliers sell them to verified practitioners.

How is PN different from “salmon DNA” creams?

Topical creams sit on the surface; injected PN is placed in the skin where tissue conditioning happens. The marketing often blurs this line — the delivery route is the difference.

How do I know if I’m a candidate?

Book a consultation. Practitioners typically consider PN for thin or crepey skin, dull post-damage skin, the under-eye area, and as a complement to energy-based treatments — but suitability is individual.