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I put salmon sperm on my face. Here’s what happened
We finally caved and did the salmon sperm episode.
PDRN is everywhere right now. TikTok is obsessed. K-beauty is flooding the shelves. But is it magic, marketing, or just a very well-branded why not?
I break down what it actually is, what it might do, and which products are worth your face.
If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!
What PDRN actually is
02:58 — Salmon DNA extracted from sperm, purified, powdered, and turned into skincare. Yes, really. We unpack the science and the 95% DNA similarity claim.
The real medical use
05:04 — Before it hit TikTok, PDRN was used for diabetic ulcers and wound healing. Tissue regeneration is where the data actually shines.
Injectables vs topical
06:05 —Skin boosters, blebs, short-lived results, and why injectable PDRN is the “golden ticket” if you’re going all in.
The serum dilemma
08:29 — Why every formula is a cocktail of actives, and why it’s almost impossible to know if it’s the PDRN doing the work.
MediCube pink peptide serum
09:06 — Dewy, plump, glass skin vibes. Is it the salmon DNA or the peptides? Honestly… who knows. But it’s glowier.
Rejuran and hydration
09:58 — The only brand making the injectable version. More hydration, better moisture retention, and a little hyaluronic acid skepticism.
Anua 100+ PDRN + Hyaluron
12:05 — Runnier, layerable, super glowy without looking greasy. Think bounce, not wet.
VT PDRN essence 100
13:30 — Serum-meets-lotion texture that makes you wake up looking like you just had a facial. Luxurious and dewy.
Is PDRN actually the star?
14:58 — Big claims: fibroblast stimulation, collagen, DNA repair. We call it what it is. A why not ingredient, not a life-changer.
“Microneedling in a bottle”
16:36 — VT Reedle Shot and spicules, aka microscopic glass-like shards from sea sponges. It stings. It works. But is it smart?
The foreign-body concern
20:20 — No long-term FDA data. Theoretical keloid risks. We get honest about ambivalence and why real microneedling might be safer.
Eye masks, gel masks, and glow pads
22:32 — Jenna Bell, MediCube pink collagen sleeping masks, and the marketing genius of slapping PDRN into everything.
What to actually look for
24:00 — Stick to trusted sourcing and purification. Watch for vegan versions. And layer thinnest to thickest.
Time-release retinol + PDRN
25:15 — Innis 0.5% retinol with PDRN. Affordable, effective, and a better long-term bet than novelty trends.
Rapid fire
25:52 — White owls as spiritual messengers, and whether spicules are life-changing—completely normal conversations to be having.
Products mentioned
* Rejuran Turnover Ampoule — Jenny’s TOP TOP PICK
* Rejuran injectable PDRN skin booster
* MediCube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
* MediCube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask
* Anua 100+ PDRN + Hyaluron
* ANOA Glow Pads
* VT PDRN Essence 100
* VT Reedle Shot 100 / 300 — Very popular. Though Jenny prefers micro needling by a practitioner
* Genabelle PDRN eye masks
* Genabelle spicules
* Innis 0.5% retinol with PDRN
* VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100
* Panex vegan PDRN
* Websites for K-BEAUTY:
* Stylevana
* Soko Glam
* Yes Style
Related Episodes and Articles
Important Notes
* Injectable PDRN results are short-lived and require multiple sessions.
* Topical PDRN mostly works at the surface level of the skin.
* Spicule “microneedling in a bottle” products are not FDA-approved.
* Sourcing and purification matter, especially with salmon-derived DNA.
* PDRN is a why-not ingredient, not a miracle cure.
It goes without saying, none of this is medical advice. Make your own choices, talk to medical professionals, and find what works for you.
GOOD TO KNOW
Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper. Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website
Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn
Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok
Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta
The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead
If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head to our Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beautygrass.substack.com
View all episodes
By Jenny Evans & Kirsten Ludwig
5
1212 ratings
We finally caved and did the salmon sperm episode.
PDRN is everywhere right now. TikTok is obsessed. K-beauty is flooding the shelves. But is it magic, marketing, or just a very well-branded why not?
I break down what it actually is, what it might do, and which products are worth your face.
If you want to skip to the good bits, click the links!
What PDRN actually is
02:58 — Salmon DNA extracted from sperm, purified, powdered, and turned into skincare. Yes, really. We unpack the science and the 95% DNA similarity claim.
The real medical use
05:04 — Before it hit TikTok, PDRN was used for diabetic ulcers and wound healing. Tissue regeneration is where the data actually shines.
Injectables vs topical
06:05 —Skin boosters, blebs, short-lived results, and why injectable PDRN is the “golden ticket” if you’re going all in.
The serum dilemma
08:29 — Why every formula is a cocktail of actives, and why it’s almost impossible to know if it’s the PDRN doing the work.
MediCube pink peptide serum
09:06 — Dewy, plump, glass skin vibes. Is it the salmon DNA or the peptides? Honestly… who knows. But it’s glowier.
Rejuran and hydration
09:58 — The only brand making the injectable version. More hydration, better moisture retention, and a little hyaluronic acid skepticism.
Anua 100+ PDRN + Hyaluron
12:05 — Runnier, layerable, super glowy without looking greasy. Think bounce, not wet.
VT PDRN essence 100
13:30 — Serum-meets-lotion texture that makes you wake up looking like you just had a facial. Luxurious and dewy.
Is PDRN actually the star?
14:58 — Big claims: fibroblast stimulation, collagen, DNA repair. We call it what it is. A why not ingredient, not a life-changer.
“Microneedling in a bottle”
16:36 — VT Reedle Shot and spicules, aka microscopic glass-like shards from sea sponges. It stings. It works. But is it smart?
The foreign-body concern
20:20 — No long-term FDA data. Theoretical keloid risks. We get honest about ambivalence and why real microneedling might be safer.
Eye masks, gel masks, and glow pads
22:32 — Jenna Bell, MediCube pink collagen sleeping masks, and the marketing genius of slapping PDRN into everything.
What to actually look for
24:00 — Stick to trusted sourcing and purification. Watch for vegan versions. And layer thinnest to thickest.
Time-release retinol + PDRN
25:15 — Innis 0.5% retinol with PDRN. Affordable, effective, and a better long-term bet than novelty trends.
Rapid fire
25:52 — White owls as spiritual messengers, and whether spicules are life-changing—completely normal conversations to be having.
Products mentioned
* Rejuran Turnover Ampoule — Jenny’s TOP TOP PICK
* Rejuran injectable PDRN skin booster
* MediCube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
* MediCube PDRN Pink Collagen Gel Mask
* Anua 100+ PDRN + Hyaluron
* ANOA Glow Pads
* VT PDRN Essence 100
* VT Reedle Shot 100 / 300 — Very popular. Though Jenny prefers micro needling by a practitioner
* Genabelle PDRN eye masks
* Genabelle spicules
* Innis 0.5% retinol with PDRN
* VT Cosmetics PDRN Essence 100
* Panex vegan PDRN
* Websites for K-BEAUTY:
* Stylevana
* Soko Glam
* Yes Style
Related Episodes and Articles
Important Notes
* Injectable PDRN results are short-lived and require multiple sessions.
* Topical PDRN mostly works at the surface level of the skin.
* Spicule “microneedling in a bottle” products are not FDA-approved.
* Sourcing and purification matter, especially with salmon-derived DNA.
* PDRN is a why-not ingredient, not a miracle cure.
It goes without saying, none of this is medical advice. Make your own choices, talk to medical professionals, and find what works for you.
GOOD TO KNOW
Our music is by the artist Fabian Küpper. Learn more about his work and enjoy his soul-soothing handpan music on his website
Connect with Kirsten’s company IN GOOD CO | Website I Substack I Insta I LinkedIn
Explore Jenny & Kirsten’s award-winning skincare brand, BeautyGrass I Website I Substack I Insta | TikTok
Visiting LA? Treat yourself to a facial with Jenny at Saving Faces: Website | Insta
The LitWithin podcast team is: Jenny Evans, Kirsten Ludwig, Chris Danton, and Christina Hempstead
If you're listening to this on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, head to our Substack for tons of detailed notes and links from the episode.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit beautygrass.substack.com