Why Salmon Sperm Facials Are the Newest Anti-Aging Skin Care Trend

A buzzy Korean beauty trend is coming to the United States, and the main ingredient is… salmon sperm. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Kim Kardashian are adding salmon sperm facials to their skin care routines for supposed collagen-boosting and anti-aging benefits.

“A salmon sperm facial is a unique skin care treatment that uses the proteins and nutrients found in salmon sperm to nourish and rejuvenate the skin,” Mansha Sethi Thacker, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist at St. Luke’s University Health Network, told Verywell.

In Asia, these ingredients are typically injected into the skin. In the U.S., they usually come in the form of a mask or serum, often paired with microneedling or laser treatments—and it’s best to have two or three treatments, Sethi Thacker said.

“It’s part of a broader trend of using animal-derived ingredients in cosmetic treatments, which some believe help promote anti-aging effects,” she added.

What Are the Ingredients?

A salmon sperm facial is also known as a PDRN treatment. It harnesses polynucleotides, DNA-building compounds found in salmon sperm, said Hannah Kopelman, MD, a dermatologist in private practice at Kopelman Aesthetic Surgery.

“The idea is that these polynucleotides can support skin repair, regeneration, and collagen production,” Kopelman said.

The polynucleotides aren’t sperm in the literal sense, Kopelman explained. “It’s processed and purified to extract the DNA, which is then broken down into polynucleotides,” she said. “These are the active components used in the treatment.”

Salmon sperm facials are often combined with other ingredients like hyaluronic acid or peptides, which can enhance the facial’s hydrating effects, according to Sethi Thacker.

Benefits of Salmon Sperm Facials

While the science is still evolving, there is some evidence to show that salmon sperm facials can benefit your skin, said Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, a professor and chair of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

These five potential benefits include:

• Anti-aging effects: Salmon sperm facials could reduce fine lines and wrinkles by promoting collagen production. One study even found that these treatments improved skin elasticity. 
• Better skin texture: More collagen may translate to smoother, more radiant skin. 
• Skin hydration: One study linked the treatment to better skin hydration.
• Anti-inflammatory effects: Early research (mostly in animals) suggests that PDRN may reduce inflammation and potentially ease symptoms of conditions like arthritis, gum disease, or inflammatory bowel disease. However, more research is needed in humans to understand these effects, and those benefits wouldn’t necessarily come with a facial treatment.
• Wound healing: Animal studies indicate that PDRN may help speed skin repair, but more research is needed to confirm its effects in humans.

Drawbacks of Salmon Sperm Facials

“While the treatment is generally considered safe, there isn’t much scientific research to back up all the claims,” said Sethi Thacker.

Another issue is that it could cause an allergic reaction. For topical treatments, it’s best to do a patch test to check for skin irritation or allergies, she added.

There also might be ethical concerns due to the use of salmon sperm. “If you avoid animal-derived ingredients, this probably isn’t the treatment for you,” Sethi Thacker said.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate injectable PDRN treatments. This means their safety and effectiveness are still unclear, and more research is needed to understand the risks.

Injections also carry a risk of infection and irritation, so it’s best to get this treatment from a board-certified dermatologist or other licensed professional, said Kopelman.

“Right now, I’d call it an intriguing trend with potential, but not a miracle solution,” said Kopelman.