Scientists have shared their thoughts on a highly unusual kind of skin care product.
The world of skincare is full of strange trends, but a couple of recent ideas push “unconventional” into a category of its own.
They’re the sort of ingredients most people wouldn’t normally consider putting anywhere near their face.
One of the treatments currently drawing attention uses salmon semen — yes, really — with the aim of supporting healthier-looking skin.
Another approach looks to a very different animal source, proposing the use of bird droppings as part of certain skincare routines.
As odd as both options sound, the key question is whether there’s any real science behind them, or if they’re simply shock-value beauty fads.
Kyu‑Ho Yi, an aesthetic physician at the You & I Clinic in Seoul, South Korea, and an adjunct professor at Yonsei University, is among those working with the salmon-sperm-based procedure.
The treatment is offered at his clinic, but it isn’t what people might imagine when they first hear the headline.
Rather than applying anything directly from a fish, the process uses DNA fragments that are isolated from the semen and then injected into the dermis — the middle layer of the skin.
Dr Yi told the BBC: “The goal is not volume, like a filler, but skin priming or biostimulation, which involves supporting a healthier dermal environment and recovery.”
The concept is linked to regenerative medicine, where fragments of fish DNA have been explored for their potential to encourage tissue repair.
Early use cases included treatment for people who experienced facial scarring after combat injuries.
Some research has indicated the injections may help soften the look of fine lines, though the overall evidence base remains limited.
Joshua Zeichner, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in the US, suggested such products could ‘help improve skin hydration, plumpness, texture, and wrinkles’.
Zeichner also pointed to another unusual option — skincare products involving bird droppings — saying they could offer ‘hydrating and brightening benefits’.
However, he said: “It’s important to say that these [treatments] use purified, modified nightingale droppings. You shouldn’t just scoop up bird poop off the street and rub that onto your face.”
When it comes to how these compare with existing, more conventional treatments, Zeichner said the superiority question is still unresolved.
And given that some of these procedures can cost hundreds of dollars, many people may find that accessible, well-tested products — used consistently as part of a solid routine — remain the more practical choice.