A new ingredient is creating waves in the beauty world, and it comes from an unlikely source, salmon sperm. Riding the popularity of Korean skincare innovations, PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide), derived from salmon sperm DNA, is quickly becoming a viral favourite, largely thanks to Korean brand Medicube and its pink capsule cream. The ingredient is drawing attention across TikTok, where thousands of users are talking about “salmon sperm skincare” and its glowing effects.
PDRN is a DNA fragment extracted from salmon sperm that closely resembles human DNA, making it biologically compatible and easily accepted by our skin. Dr. Diane Alexander, a plastic surgeon and founder of Artisan Plastic Surgery, described it as a regenerative agent for the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production while encouraging better blood circulation. According to her, the ingredient doesn’t just provide a temporary glow but improves skin elasticity, firmness, and structure over time, similar to how muscle memory is developed through exercise.
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In addition to anti-ageing effects, PDRN helps speed up skin healing and cell renewal, promoting faster recovery from damage. Its ability to reach beneath the skin’s surface, combined with anti- inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, helps reduce redness and irritation, making it suitable even for sensitive skin types.
Though it’s gaining traction now, PDRN technology has been used in Asian skincare for over a decade. First introduced around 2008 through the injectable treatment Rejuran, it is now widely available in over 25 countries.
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However, its recent rise in Western markets is due in part to its endorsement by global celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, and Meghan Markle. Medical aesthetician at Seaside Skin Care, Nikki Bruce added that among aquatic DNA sources, salmon stands out for its purity and compatibility, making it a preferred choice in skincare’s ongoing evolution toward high-performance, biologically inspired solutions.
