I Never Thought I'd Say This, But Salmon Sperm Might Be the Secret to Youthful, Glowing Skin

It's a trend worth hopping on.

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(Image credit: @bellathomas)
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As a beauty editor, I do a lot of things to my face that are a bit unconventional. From having small liquid spicules injected into my skin to getting a PRP "vampire facial," there's no treatment I won't try in the name of glowing, out-of-this-world skin. That said, there's one treatment I recently tried that I was a bit skeptical about at first, but now can't get enough of.

You may have seen this ministration making the rounds on social media due to its somewhat bizarre origin. Many TikTok users and celebs alike swear that the trendy "salmon sperm facial" is actually the secret to youthful skin. Unsurprisingly, it's an innovative treatment that's been used and loved in Korea for years because it produces some serious results.

Everyone from Jennifer Aniston to Kim Kardashian has sung its praises, and the results speak for themselves. The key component in these facials is polydeoxyribonucleotide, or PDRN—a compound found in salmon sperm and other plant sources. "It's widely recognized in regenerative medicine and aesthetic dermatology for its remarkable ability to accelerate tissue repair and stimulate cell regeneration," explains William Harris, MD, medical director at Formula Fig.

Woman wearing a sheet mask

(Image credit: @misstpw)

Being the beauty enthusiast that I am, I knew I had to dig a little deeper into what exactly this magical little ingredient is. Because the treatment originated in Korea, many K-beauty products for at-home care also now feature the ingredient, so you can try it in the comfort of your own home.

Even if you're vegan, don't worry. PDRN can be sourced from more than just salmon sperm, so no one has to miss out! If you're curious about this powerhouse ingredient and what it can do for your skin, keep scrolling. I'm sharing it all ahead along with the best products to try with it.

The Best PDRN Products, at a Glance

Best Essence: VT Cosmetics PDRN 100 Essence

Best At-Home "Microneedling" Treatment: VT Cosmetics PDRN Reedle Shot 100

Best Serum: Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum

Best for Dry Skin: Anua PDRN Hyaluronic Acid Capsule 100 Serum

Best Cream: Scinc Centella PDRN Cica & Soothing Cream

Best Mask: Mediheal Rose PDR Essential Sheet Mask

Best for Damaged Skin: Gangnam Glow Rejunol Mucin PDRN Facial Cream

Best Firming: Iope Bio-PDRN Caffeine Shot Serum

Best Toner: Genabelle PDRN Rejuvenating Toner

A woman with dewy skin laying down.

(Image credit: @fridacashflow)

What Is PDRN?

Honestly, the idea of PDRN being derived from salmon sperm kind of turned me off at first, but the more I learned about it, the more I warmed up to it. "PDRN, or polydeoxyribonucleotide, is a DNA-derived compound most commonly extracted from salmon sperm," he explains. "While it’s been a cornerstone in South Korean skincare since the late 2000s, it’s only more recently gained traction in North America for its clinical efficacy in skin rejuvenation."

If you're vegan, though, don't worry—PDRN can be sourced from plants like ginseng too. You'll find this one is common in a lot of K-beauty products readily available to buy. Harris has a few other notes, though. "Vegan PDRN is typically biosynthesized from plant or microbial sources rather than fish," he says. "While this makes it an excellent alternative for those with fish allergies or following vegan lifestyles, it's important to note that most of the robust clinical studies and efficacy data currently available support fish-derived PDRN. Vegan alternatives are promising, but research is still emerging when it comes to their regenerative capabilities compared to traditional sources. At Formula Fig, we offer micro-needling with exosomes or a growth factor and peptide serum for those who don’t wish to have fish-derived PDRN."

What Can PDRN Do for Your Skin?

Harris shares that PDRN is widely known for its reparative and anti-inflammatory properties. "It promotes fibroblast activity, boosts collagen production, and accelerates cellular turnover—leading to firmer, more elastic, and visibly smoother skin. It’s especially effective in improving post-procedure recovery, reducing redness, and enhancing overall skin vitality. In short: It helps the skin heal better, faster, and stronger."

As someone who has struggled with their skin barrier and overall skin damage, this treatment is so beneficial. If my budget allowed for it, I would truly get it once a month. Typically, getting a PDRN facial also involves micro-needling to deliver visible improvements in your skin, making it healthier and stronger. Harris also said that advanced micro-needling technology in a "salmon sperm facial" creates tiny microchannels in the skin, prompting a powerful healing response that's bolstered by the potency of PDRN. You can expect to see a boost in collagen production, smoothed-out fine lines and wrinkles, an improvement in acne scarring and hyperpigmentation, and plump, firm, more hydrated skin.

Harris and his team at Formula Fig offer PDRN facials with a potent PDRN serum—that's the secret sauce when it comes to the facial experience. "We use VTech PDRN—a clinically validated formulation known for its purity and efficacy in regenerative skincare," he shares.

Shawna Hudson
Associate Beauty Editor

Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.

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