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There’s a new fish on the block: salmon.
Jennifer Aniston recently revealed that she once tried a salmon-sperm facial, admitting to the Wall Street Journal that she will “try almost anything” to keep her skin looking young.
When an aesthetician suggested a salmon-sperm facial, the 54-year-old actress was curious. “First of all, I said, ‘Are you serious? How do you get salmon’s sperm?’”
It’s been long reported that eating salmon has plenty of health benefits, including being good for your skin, but salmon sperm is a whole other ballgame.
So, what is the salmon-sperm facial that the “Friends” star did? And is it really beneficial?
Why is salmon sperm a popular skincare trend?
One reason for its popularity is that it has been a staple in Korea for many years — and “they seem to always have the next hot skin care products,” Dr. Kenneth Beer, a cosmetic dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Florida, told The Post.
Salmon sperm seems to be the next must-have Korean beauty ingredient, with the Rejuran Healer injection having been offered in Asian countries since 2014 using an ingredient called PN (Polynucleotide).
The DNA harvested from salmon sperm — typically on ingredient labels as Sodium DNA, HP DNA or PDRN — could be the secret to keeping skin looking young and fresh, and it’s making its way into the world of luxury skincare across the world.
The facial treatment is typically offered at medical spas, with the goal of producing more collagen, increasing cell turnover and improving pigmentation and inflammation.
“What could be more refreshing than salmon sperm?” Beer quipped.
“However, the most important reason it is suddenly popular is likely related to the fact that Jennifer Aniston mentioned it,” he ultimately concluded.
What are the benefits of salmon sperm?
According to Peach & Lily — which sells a Marine Jewel Capsule from Shangpree, a skincare line and Seoul-based spa — DNA extracted from salmon sperm “has potent regenerative qualities, working not on the superficial level but sinking deeply into skin to work from within, encouraging cell turnover that, in turn, helps firm skin and maintain its elasticity.” It also claims the Sodium DNA helps prevent wrinkles and skin damage as it protects from UV rays.
The fishy DNA regenerates skin cells and in turn helps with treating acne scars, tightening skin pores, brightening skin tone and smoothing texture, according to Jivaka Beauty, a Korean cosmetic surgery and aesthetics company.
Does salmon sperm work?
“One study, done in 2017, demonstrated that salmon sperm helped repair cellular damage, [sped up] healing of wounds and diminished inflammation. Other studies have shown that the proteins found in salmon sperm help reduce signs of aging,” Beer, founder of ScientificRx skin care and director of the Cosmetic Bootcamp, said.
In fact, in 2017, researchers developed a thin, transparent coating made out of DNA from salmon sperm that protects the skin from harmful UV light — a pivot from SPF for sun protection.
A 2010 study published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that the DNA in the sperm contained higher water content, increased skin elasticity, stronger collagen levels and increased production of hyaluronic acid.
One study done on mice in 2016 found that the salmon sperm DNA increased blood flow to the skin and was beneficial to healing wounds.
Previous studies also showed promising results for clinical uses of the sperm, though it doesn’t appear there’s enough research to conclude that it’s an effective ingredient for skincare use.
“Several studies have demonstrated its healing power and it is sometimes used to promote healing. It has been used not only to heal the skin but also to heal damaged livers,” Beer added.