TikTok’s Secret to Glass Skin Costs $4 on Amazon—Try This Buzzy, Celeb-Used Ingredient
Katie Decker-Jacoby
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If you thought snail mucin in skincare products was unsettling, think again. There’s a new sheriff in town, and it’s way more off-putting than snail slime. Enter: salmon sperm (formally known as salmon PDRN). Celebs like Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Aniston, Miley Cyrus, and Kesha have reportedly gotten the viral salmon sperm facial, while K-beauty brands are cranking out salmon sperm formulas that have TikTokers buzzing. One that went viral on the social media platform is Medicube’s PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask , which is on sale as we speak. And with the Trump administration’s tariffs affecting K-beauty products like this one, you’ll want to stock up before it gets more expensive.
Fortunately, this PDRN face mask is discounted by 21%, bringing its price down to $17 (or roughly $4 per mask). This four-pack’s lowest price is $14 and average price is $21, per CamelCamelCamel, so don’t wait to hop on the salmon sperm skincare bandwagon while it’s just $17.
Skin Concerns: Anti-aging, dryness, dullness, pores, dark spots, uneven skin tone, loss of firmness/elasticity
While I’m a vegetarian who squirms at the thought of applying salmon sperm to my face, I can’t deny the fact that I’m intrigued. What is salmon sperm? And what benefits does it boast for the complexion? I’m genuinely curious (and slightly grossed out), but someone’s got to get to the bottom of this odd yet innovative skincare ingredient.
What is salmon PDRN?
Scott Walter, a board-certified dermatologist with over 1,300,000 followers on TikTok, took to the platform to set the record straight on salmon sperm. He explains in a video that people in South Korea have been using this ingredient for over a decade, both topically and via injections (A.K.A. the salmon sperm facial). Dr. Walter says, “PDRN stands for polydeoxyribonucleotides. It’s derived from salmon DNA and is packed full of skin-repairing benefits. It helps stimulate collagen production, reduce inflammation, and promote skin healing at a cellular level.”
As for Medicube’s salmon sperm mask, he says it gives your skin an “extra boost of brightness and smoothness.” He also explains that you have to keep the mask on for three to four hours (until the mask changes colors) to see the best results and achieve the coveted glass-skin look.
What does salmon PDRN do?
According to Medicube, salmon PDRN helps minimize the appearance of pores and improve skin tone (i.e., dark spots). It also increases skin elasticity, lessens skin irritation, brightens skin tone, and strengthens the skin barrier.
Evidently, there are several benefits to using salmon sperm for the skin, but the face mask also incorporates other ingredients that make your complexion look like glass. Hydrolyzed collagen firms the skin and minimizes the appearance of fine lines, while niacinamide brightens skin tone, calms the complexion, and strengthens the skin barrier, and peptides smooth fine lines. Medicube really knew what they were doing when they came up with this formula. Because in just three or four hours (until the mask becomes transparent), your complexion should appear smooth and glowy.
Let two TikTok creators, @youngcouture and @vivianyunn, show this sheet mask work its magic.
Amazon shoppers were quick to sing its praises in the reviews section. One raved, “This collagen mask is a game-changer at a great value! My skin feels so hydrated, plump, and refreshed after every use. It’s easy to apply, and the results are noticeable right away—my complexion looks smoother and more radiant. I’ve even noticed fine lines starting to fade with regular use. It’s become a must-have in my skincare routine! This mask has no smell.”
Another Amazon reviewer wrote, “I was skeptical as everyone seems to find good face masks but not me—I finally found one that left glowing skin. The key to this mask is to follow the directions. You need to keep it on for hours. Keep that in mind if you want something quick – this is not it.”
It turns out there’s a lot more to salmon sperm than we likely all expected. I’ve gone through what it is and its benefits for the skin, along with sharing TikTok videos that show users’ glowy results from the fishy (though shoppers and TikTokers can confirm it doesn’t smell like fish) face mask.
If your stomach can handle putting salmon sperm on your complexion, stock up on a four-pack of Medicube’s PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask for a discounted $17 price tag. That comes out to just $4 per mask, which is not a bad price for radiant glass skin.
