Are Sardines Actually Good for Your Skin?
We asked dermatologists if Anok Yai’s sardine beauty hack is key to her glowy skin.
Backstage at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last October, Anok Yai revealed to Hypebae that eating sardines is her secret to glowing skin. Since then, the sardine craze has taken off — not only as a cool girl accessory and buzzy culinary trend, but also as a skincare staple among beauty fans. But, is it all internet speculation or does the salty snack really have skin benefits?
Although Anok Yai and other sardine loyalists swear the fish positively improves skin health, dermatologists remain divided. For celebrity skin guru Dr. Jodi Logerfo, the lack of medical research makes her increasingly skeptical. “Unfortunately, there is no direct evidence that eating sardines has any obvious benefits for skin health or that eating sardines specifically improves any skin condition,” Dr. Logerfo tells Hypebae. “The real benefit from sardines, is that they are documented to be an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids.”
@hypebae Sardine sales after the @Victoria’s Secret 📈 #AnokYai keeps her glow poppin’ with a little tinned fish 🐟 Video: Hypebae #vsfashionshow #vsangel #victoriassecret #beautytok ♬ original sound – HYPEBAE
On the other hand, Dr. Geeta Yadav, board-certified dermatologist and founder of FACET Dermatology, finds the opposite to be true — while acknowledging that there are no existing clinical trials, she still believes the benefits are undeniable, “Omega-3 fatty acids help your body produce more ceramides, the fats that hold your skin barrier together and they dial down inflammation. Vitamin D supports skin cell growth and repair, and protein is essential for collagen production. So the honest version is: the key ingredients in sardines have meaningful, evidence-backed skin benefits.”
At the same time, Dr. Yadav says that sardines shouldn’t be treated as a standalone solution to skin problems — especially since results often take months. “Sardines are a supportive strategy, not a treatment plan. The internet loves a single-ingredient story, but science supports sardines as part of a bigger picture,” she says. Similarly, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, cites that healthy skin is broadly the result of a well-rounded routine.
Because of this, Dr. Garshick tells Hypebae that maintaining a consistent skincare routine is far more effective than relying on sardines to do all of the work. “It is best to think about them as one component of a balanced diet rather than a miracle solution. While diet and what is consumed can be part of a healthy skin routine, it is still important to incorporate a topical regimen that can directly target the skin,” the dermatologist says. So, while they’re not exactly a miracle product, experts say implementing sardines into your usual routine might just give your the skin the extra boost it needs — just take it from Anok Yai.
