Can you look younger with salmon sperm skin care? Experts talk about K-beauty trends.

“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commissions or revenue on some items through these links.”

Using unique ingredients from Mother Nature to create trending beauty products is nothing new to the skin care industry. Bee venom is used in lip glosses to add volume to the lips. Seaweed is included in serums and moisturizers to soothe the skin and reduce redness. Just to name a few, we often slather our faces with snail mucus (the thick, gel-like mucus excreted by snails) to provide intense hydration to our skin.

So it may not be surprising that salmon sperm has also found its way into the beauty world. This exotic ingredient first gained attention in South Korea as an injectable skin therapy used to fight signs of aging and give skin a youthful glow. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston have also spoken publicly about using salmon semen on their skin.

Meanwhile, on social media, users are praising the ingredient’s ability to help them achieve the glass skin of their dreams. “I didn’t believe the hype until I tried pdrn (salmon DNA) skin care. It changed my skin,” one TikTok user wrote in the video’s caption.

Meet the experts: Annetta LeskoMD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. Erica Choi She is a licensed esthetician and founder of clean beauty brand Superegg. Darby CoeFAAD is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

As a result, salmon sperm is now a popular topical active ingredient in over-the-counter serums and creams in the United States. MedSpa also offers treatments such as facials using salmon sperm.

But before you rush to click “add to cart,” it’s worth noting that research into the benefits of the much-talked-about salmon sperm is in its early stages. Upcoming, experts will break down what exactly salmon sperm is, what we know (and don’t know) about its benefits for the skin, and whether it’s actually worth trying.

What is salmon sperm in skin care?

Salmon sperm has been gaining traction in the United States in recent years, but it first got its start in K-beauty, along with other skin care ingredients like madecassoside, snail mucin, and ginseng.

It’s catchy to call this ingredient salmon sperm, but what exactly is it? actually It’s not literally fatty fish semen that is used in cosmetics and injectable treatments. During the manufacturing process, salmon sperm is highly purified to remove proteins, lipids, and other cellular materials. Only a mixture of purified DNA fragments called polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN for short) can be used on human skin. This substance is used in both cosmetic and regenerative medicine to promote skin healing and rejuvenation.

Although PDRN may sound very novel, it has actually been studied by scientists and used in medical settings for decades, he said. Annetta LeskoMD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City. And within the past five years, the ingredient has really taken off in South Korea, where it is primarily administered as an injectable “skin booster” treatment from brands such as Rejuran, he said. Erica ChoiShe is a certified esthetician and founder of clean beauty brand Superegg. “In Korea, it’s a completely different landscape,” Choi explains. This ingredient is “often injected directly into the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis, to support regeneration, improve elasticity, and improve overall skin quality,” she added.

Don’t you think it’s pretty amazing? Now, here’s the problem: PDRN is do not have Some clinics and medispas offer these treatments, which are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for injection into the skin. “In the United States, we tend to rely on FDA-approved injectables, such as hyaluronic acid fillers and neuromodulators, and there is generally a more rigorous pathway for new biological ingredients to enter the market,” Choi says.

Therefore, on the American side, yay PDRN is commonly used topically in products such as serums, creams, sheet masks, and ampoules. Salmon sperm is also often applied topically during facials or after radiofrequency microneedling or laser treatments. At this time, the small grooves in the skin are more open and the ingredients may be absorbed into the skin more effectively.

What benefits does salmon sperm (also known as PDRN) have on the skin?

PDRN has been studied since the 1990s primarily for its role in wound healing and tissue repair by injection or application to injured skin in medical settings. “Its regenerative properties support cell regeneration and stimulate fibroblasts to increase collagen production,” explains Dr. Lesko. “Helps skin recover more efficiently after stress or injury.”

And ICYDK builds collagen in the skin. important This protein provides structural integrity, firmness, and elasticity, which helps maintain youthful skin. Therefore, Dr. Lesko added that injecting PDRN into the skin is thought to, over time, “improve skin tone, firmness, and overall skin quality, especially in skin that is weakened or appears to be slow to repair.”

Although some studies support this, studies often have limitations. For example, a 2023 laboratory study on human skin cells found that PDRN reduces inflammation, stimulates collagen production, and has an overall “positive skin regeneration effect” on skin cells.

Meanwhile, a very small randomized controlled trial in 2025 found that microneedling combined with topical PDRN was more effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles in participants compared to microneedling combined with another skin rejuvenation treatment called platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP). And while a 2025 research review found that injectable treatments containing PDRN showed promising improvements in wrinkles, skin texture, and elasticity in multiple studies, the review authors noted that the overall quality of the evidence remains limited.

But again, PDRN injections into the skin are not approved by the FDA, and flights are not allowed to countries where the injections are given, such as South Korea, Italy, and Singapore. teeth Although approved by the government, it is not feasible for many people. There’s also no need to visit a dermatologist, medi-spa or aesthetic clinic for regular facials or expensive skin rejuvenation treatments. Therefore, for most people, the most accessible version of Salmon Sperm Skin Care will be the one that comes in a bottle or jar.

And there’s some not-so-good news. No robust, high-quality studies exist evaluating the cosmetic benefits of topical PDRN. Therefore, experts are unsure whether topical formulations offer the same benefits seen in clinical or injectable settings. Additionally, PDRN is considered a relatively large molecule, so it is unlikely to penetrate deep enough into the skin to meaningfully improve collagen and elastin production.

Are there any risks to using salmon semen on your skin?

Research shows that PDRN has a fairly solid safety record, so the risks of using it topically are generally considered low. However, it is possible to be allergic to anything. Therefore, before incorporating PDRN products into your daily routine, we recommend performing a patch test on an inconspicuous area of ​​your skin.

Given that research on the cosmetic benefits of PDRN is already relatively sparse, there aren’t even studies evaluating the ingredient’s use on pregnant or breastfeeding women. thinner. Therefore, as a precaution, pregnant and breastfeeding women are best to avoid the ingredient, or at least consult a board-certified dermatologist before trying it.

Another risk, so to speak, is that the ingredients may not be very effective for your skin due to the reasons mentioned above. Instead of making your skin look younger, PDRN may function primarily as a skin moisturizer and soothing ingredient rather than a powerful anti-aging skin care active.

And adds that some PDRN products may work better than others Darby CoeMD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Not all formulations are created equal,” she says. “A product’s effectiveness depends on the concentration of the active ingredient, its molecular structure and stability, the delivery system, and its ability to penetrate the skin barrier.”

To have the best chance of using something that actually works, Dr. Lesko recommends that consumers look for products that use low molecular weight PDRN and employ encapsulated delivery systems that potentially improve ingredient stability and absorption into the skin. Experts say formulas that also include ingredients that support the skin barrier, such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides, tend to perform better.

You may feel that many List of factors to keep in mind. But don’t worry. we’ve done the work for you. Here are some expert-approved salmon sperm skin care products.

Rejuran dual effect ampoule

This ampoule was developed by the same company that pioneered the use of PDRN injections in South Korea. It uses PDRN, among other ingredients, to repair the skin barrier, soothe and soothe the skin, and improve skin texture over time.

IOPE Stem III Clinical Recovery Serum

PDRN is the star of this K-Beauty serum and has been clinically tested to produce results similar to professional PDRN treatments. This serum has the effect of improving skin elasticity, increasing texture and visibly increasing volume. This formula also contains a proprietary liposome complex and micromolecule hyaluronic acid.

Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid 100 Moisturizing Cream

This is one of the most accessible entries into PDRN skin care due to its relatively low price. Additionally, this product focuses on hydration along with PDRN benefits, making it gentle and easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Glass skin…it’s here!

The conclusion is: Salmon sperm skin care isn’t snake oil per se, but what comes in a bottle isn’t exactly miraculous either. The science behind PDRN injections is really promising, but expect the effects to be a little more subtle when applied at home. If you’re interested in salmon sperm (and not hating it), give it a try. Just don’t expect to wake up looking 10 years younger.

you may also like