Last October, backstage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Anok Yai shared with Hypebae her secret to radiant skin: sardines. Since that time, sardines have gained popularity—not just as a cool-girl accessory or a trend in the culinary world, but also as a staple in skincare among beauty enthusiasts. But, is this just internet chatter, or do these salty snacks genuinely offer benefits to the skin?
While Anok Yai and other fans of sardines insist that this fish provides positive effects on the skin, dermatologists have differing opinions. Celebrity skin expert Dr. Jodi Logerfo is quite skeptical due to the absence of medical research. “Regrettably, there’s no direct evidence suggesting that consuming sardines yields any clear advantages for skin health or that it improves any skin condition specifically,” Dr. Logerfo informs Hypebae. “The actual benefit of sardines lies in the fact that they are widely recognized as a prime source of omega-3 fatty acids.”
@hypebae Sardine sales skyrocket after the @Victoria’s Secret 📈 #AnokYai maintains her lustrous glow with some canned fish 🐟 Video: Hypebae #vsfashionshow #vsangel #victoriassecret #beautytok ♬ original sound – HYPEBAE
Conversely, Dr. Geeta Yadav, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology, sees it differently—despite acknowledging the lack of clinical trials, she still believes in the undeniable benefits, “Omega-3 fatty acids assist your body in generating more ceramides, the lipids that unify your skin barrier, and they help curb inflammation. Vitamin D aids in skin cell growth and repair, while protein is pivotal for collagen synthesis. Thus, the straightforward reality is that the key substances in sardines impart substantial, science-backed skin benefits.”
In the meantime, Dr. Yadav clarifies that sardines shouldn’t be seen as a singular fix for skin issues—especially with outcomes often taking months. “Sardines act as an auxiliary tactic, not a comprehensive treatment. The digital realm adores a single-ingredient narrative, yet science favors sardines within a broader context,” she says. Moreover, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, emphasizes that healthy skin is generally a result of a holistic regimen.
Because of this, Dr. Garshick conveys to Hypebae that preserving a regular skincare regimen is significantly more impactful than relying solely on sardines for results. “You should regard them as one piece of a balanced diet instead of a miraculous solution. Even though diet and consumption contribute to a healthy skin regimen, it’s crucial to include a topical routine that targets skin directly,” according to the dermatologist. So, even though they’re not precisely a miraculous product, experts suggest incorporating sardines into your everyday routine might indeed provide your skin with an additional boost it requires—just ask Anok Yai.
