Salmon Sperm Facials? Skip This Cruel Skin Care Fad

Published April 25, 2025 by Elena Waldman.

First it was snail mucin, now it’s salmon sperm—because apparently, the skin care industry has a fetish for exploiting animals for cruelly derived ingredients that no one needs. Salmon sperm face masks are the latest bogus skin care fad popping up on TikTok, and yes—they’re just as gross as they sound. If you see someone promoting salmon sperm face masks, just keep scrolling, just keep scrolling.

Here’s what you need to know about salmon sperm face masks and why you should never use them.

What Is a Salmon Sperm Facial?

Salmon sperm facial treatments are made with polynucleotide—a fancy word for DNA derived from the sperm of salmon. At hatcheries, workers typically kill male salmon before extracting their sperm. The sperm is then processed into a serum for topical use or into an injectable solution.

Is Extracting Salmon Sperm Cruel?

Yes, because salmon are living, feeling individuals who do not want to be exploited for their sperm. While salmon sperm may be extracted from wild-caught fish, it is also likely stolen from fish on aquafarms that raise fish for food. On aquafarms, fish spend their entire lives in cramped, filthy enclosures. Many suffer from debilitating injuries, lice infestations, and disease outbreaks.

Before sending salmon to slaughter, aquafarm operators starve them for 10 days. Humans often kill them by transferring them to an ice bath, cutting their gills, and leaving them to bleed out.

Are There Any Benefits to Salmon Sperm Facials?

Research on the effectiveness of salmon sperm skin care is extremely limited—but we do know that salmon are sensitive individuals who suffer when humans exploit them. But get this: All of the claimed benefits of salmon sperm facial treatments (which are largely unsubstantiated)—like improved skin elasticity, anti-aging effects, and hydration—can easily be found in effective, vegan and cruelty-free skin care products.

What to Use Instead of Salmon Sperm Face Masks

Instead of slathering salmon sperm on your face, try vegan and cruelty-free products that will actually suit your skin care needs:

For anti-aging, see cruelty-free retinol products.
For boosting collagen and protecting the skin from damage, see cruelty-free vitamin-C serums.
For extra hydration, see cruelty-free serums and face oils.

Did You Know?

Salmon are fascinating, complex animals who have rich social lives and impressive long-term memories. In their ocean homes, they remember the water chemistry along the paths that they take when they head downstream to the ocean—years later, they can retrace these routes by following the distinct odor signature of their home streams.

Compassion Shouldn’t Be Skin-Deep—Go Vegan!

In addition to keeping animal-derived ingredients out of your skin care routine, never buy products that were tested on animals—because every animal is someone who does not want to suffer. Check out PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies database to search for cruelty-free companies.

While you’re at it, go vegan! By going vegan, you can spare nearly 200 animals every year, improve your health, and lower your environmental footprint. Order PETA’s free vegan starter kit to make the compassionate switch today!

order a free vegan starter kit!