Want your skin to stay young and healthy? You might consider using salmon sperm as an anti-aging ingredient! This unique substance is rich in nutrients that can help promote cell turnover, improve elasticity, and lock in moisture in your skin. In addition, it is credited with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. If you’re curious about incorporating salmon sperm into your beauty routine, read on to learn more.
Already present in several formulas of cosmetic brands, it is appreciated for its many anti-aging properties. Commonly known as “PDRN salmon,” salmon testicle DNA may sound questionable, but beauty experts, along with a wealth of research, support its regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects. One study found that salmon sperm was associated with greater skin elasticity and higher collagen levels, both crucial for anti-aging skin.
“Having an open mind to these different types of ingredients can be really great. There are a lot of ingredients that we are not used to in Europe that are very popular in Korea, and there is a reason why they are: There is a lot of evidence of their benefits,” says Kenna Whitnell, biochemist and scientific researcher.
What is PDRN Salmon, and how does it work?
Salmon PDRN, which stands for “polydeoxyribonucleotides”, is sperm DNA most commonly derived from salmon trout or chum salmon. An expert who specializes in skincare counseling, explains that it works by targeting a specific protein that, when stimulated, promotes healing.
Some may ask: Why the testicles? The specialist explains that the genital area contains a large amount of DNA, which makes its extraction easier and more profitable.
As for why salmon in particular, “salmon DNA is very close to human DNA, so it’s highly compatible with our own cellular functioning,” says Whitnell. “The extraction and purification process removes active proteins and peptides that could potentially cause immune reactions. So it’s just very pure DNA and doesn’t contain (anything) that could interact with our skin in a bad way. »
What are the benefits of salmon sperm for the skin?
Research has praised salmon testicle DNA for its ability to restore skin elasticity, repair moisture barriers and reduce inflammation, making it a viable option for those with skin damaged or dry.
“This ingredient is great because if you have a cut, sore, or acne blemish that’s healing, salmon testicle DNA could help with that,” a medical esthetician says of the process called “migration. cellular”. “The white blood cells will attempt to repair that wound…and (PDRN salmon) has been shown in research to help with that cell migration, or bring healing cells to that affected area. »
Who should avoid it?
For most people, PDRN salmon is relatively safe with few known side effects. But people who are vegan or allergic to fish are advised to refrain, and despite its anti-inflammatory effects, it is not intended to treat active acne, but rather dehydrated or injured skin.
“For PDRN salmon to be effective, it has to break through the top layer of the skin, which means the skin has to be broken,” says Dr. Rachel Ho, a cosmetic doctor based in Singapore. According to her, most studies have only tested the ability of salmon DNA to repair damaged skin, rather than intact skin.
Due to the limited scope of research available, Dr. Rachel Ho suggests other evidence-based alternatives for repairing skin, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, or retinoids, which “can build collagen in the skin to treat the first signs of aging or even hyperpigmentation. But before incorporating salmon sperm into your skincare regimen, experts advise testing any new ingredient on a small area of your skin to see how it reacts.
