GOURI versus Rejuran: what is the difference?
The comparison we are asked about most. The conclusion is not “which is better” but “they have different purposes”, and you need to know the purposes to choose.
The short answer
GOURI and Rejuran have different purposes. GOURI is liquid PCL that provokes a reaction so the body makes collagen, a collagen booster. Rejuran is PN that forms a water-holding mesh so the skin’s own recovery is easier, a skin booster. Lost dermal density points to GOURI; texture and fine lines on thin, sensitive skin point to Rejuran.
They have never been compared directly in humans. Side by side, the biggest gap is not the ingredient but the trial behind approval and reversibility. Rejuran passed a 70-person phase 3 and degrades. GOURI has 33 human subjects and does not dissolve with hyaluronidase.
In one table
| GOURI (liquid PCL) | Rejuran (PN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Foreign-body reaction makes collagen | Builds a recovery environment |
| Main purpose | Density, firmness, settled fine lines | Texture, hydration, fine lines on thin sensitive skin |
| Regulatory route | Korean approval text not located | Medical device — human trial required for approval |
| Best human data | 30-person pilot 6 months + 3 cases = 33, no control | Phase 3, 70 analysed, randomised double-blind, HA product control |
| What the trial proved | “Improved” | “Not inferior to an HA product” |
| Sessions | Manufacturer: one, optionally 1–2 more | Trial: three, two weeks apart |
| Reversible | Does not dissolve with hyaluronidase | Degrades — dissolving does not apply |
| Pain | Usual for injection | Healer hurts; HB Plus contains lidocaine |
| Area | Manufacturer: face only | Trial on the face |
Which skin, which product
GOURI candidates: volume fine but skin feels thinner and less firm; settled fine lines; rough, dull texture. Direction: raise dermal density.
Rejuran candidates: thin, sensitive skin that finds stronger treatments too much; fine lines starting around eyes and mouth; dryness with make-up sitting badly; discomfort with non-reversible material.
Neither: lost volume (filler class), sagging contour (RF lifting).
“It was clinically tested” means different things
Rejuran’s “three sessions two weeks apart” came from the phase 3 run for approval, which produced a 95.7% improvement rate (control 94.3%). GOURI’s count came from manufacturer guidance, not a trial. So the two “session counts” are different kinds of number. That is not a verdict on effect, but choosing while knowing what has and has not been confirmed is different from choosing without knowing.
Can they be used together
Split by area or timing, yes: cheeks with GOURI for density, under-eye with Rejuran for texture, say. Not the same area on the same day. And since GOURI cannot be reversed, the next plan is set before placing it.
Which treatment fits which concern
| Concern | Treatments to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lost density, settled fine lines | GOURI | Makes collagen |
| Thin sensitive skin, texture, hydration | Rejuran | Builds recovery environment |
| Reversibility is the priority | Rejuran | Degrades |
| One session, then see | GOURI, one session | Manufacturer default of one |
| Hollow cheeks | Filler class | Neither |
| Sagging contour | Density / XERF | Neither |
Which treatment is “best” is decided by the state of your skin right now, not by the product. In consultation we look first at what has been lost and what is still there, before we talk about any product name.
Frequently asked questions
Which is more effective?
No direct comparison exists, so there is no data to answer with. The purposes differ, so choose by what your skin’s problem is.
Does GOURI last longer than Rejuran?
GOURI was followed to six months, the Rejuran phase 3 to 12 weeks. Different follow-ups cannot be compared.
Can I switch from Rejuran to GOURI?
PN degrades, so switching once it has settled (four weeks or more) is possible. The other way round needs an area check first, since GOURI cannot be reversed.
Is the salmon injection Rejuran?
Yes. The main ingredient is PN purified from salmonid DNA, hence the nickname. No salmon flesh or oil is involved.
Read next
If you want to go deeper
Product page
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by Lee Chi-Hak, MD, medical director of Miso Clinic in Daegu, South Korea. Studies are cited with their size and limitations, and where we could not find data we say so. Individual decisions need an in-person examination; this page does not replace one.
| Medical director | Lee Chi-Hak, MD |
|---|---|
| Address | 4F Bombom Building, 125 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea · Exit 1, Kyungpook National University Hospital Station |
| Phone | +82-53-428-2700 |
| KakaoTalk | Miso Clinic channel |
| Hours | Weekdays 11:00–19:00 (lunch 13:00–14:00) / Saturday 10:00–16:00 / Closed Sundays and public holidays |
| Treatment guides | All guides |
| Comparisons | All comparisons |
| Columns | All clinical columns |
| Reference library | All booster and device references |
References
- GOURI manufacturer official FAQ — sessions (one recommended; optionally 1–2 follow-ups at 4–6 weeks) and treatment area (face only; hand and neck data still being collected).
- Ponzo M et al., PRS Global Open 2025;13(11), PMID 41210393 — 30-person pilot, six-month follow-up, no control group.
- Rejuran approval phase 3 trial — J Korean Med Sci 2014;29(Suppl 3):S201–S209 (Seoul National University Bundang Hospital). 72 enrolled, 70 analysed, randomised, double-blind, split-face, control was a hyaluronic acid product. Three sessions two weeks apart, 12-week follow-up.
Everything on this page is general information and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Effects and side effects vary with individual skin condition, age and underlying illness, and the same result is not guaranteed for everyone. Any decision to proceed should be made in an in-person consultation with a physician.
← Comparisons · Clinical columns · Reference library · Miso Clinic home
한국어 · English