Catching Up with Tracy Kiss, the Vlogger Who Pioneered the Semen Skincare Facial

In 2014 vlogger Tracy Kiss scooped some semen out of a plastic takeaway tub, rubbed some on her face and put a video of it up on Youtube. Today, her semen facial videos have millions of views, and off the back of that fame she's become somewhat of a spokesperson for cum – telling me that she's actually contractually unable to speak about some of her other semen-based beauty tips because of embargoes imposed by other publications.

Her videos are all lengthy, tangential and frank speeches on her personal life, female confidence and societal taboos. And, perhaps inevitably, the comments they tend to pick up are of the "came for the ridiculous story; stayed for the tits" variety. While dermatologists have since debunked the idea of semen as an alternative to acid peels, voiced concern about STI transmission and stated that its protein content can be easily replicated with that of an egg yolk, Tracy stands by the semen facials today.

When I call her for a catch-up she's just on her way back from the gym, but chirpily makes some time to talk about her extensive views on sperm on the internet.

VICE: So Tracy, how did you first realise semen is great for your skin? Take me through that exact moment.
Tracy Kiss: It was when my beautician told me. I was going to have an acid peel, because I have rosacea, which means that my skin is often dry and hot and I can look pretty aged. She told me it was just a way to rehydrate and make it feel a lot calmer. And when I tried it for the first time, I immediately knew it works for me. I can't sing the praises of it highly enough.

Who was generous enough to give you the semen?
Because I'm single, I didn't have a partner I could use. I guess, traditionally – if that's the right word to use – people in relationships would see it as a sexual thing, because of how it's produced. But I look at it just as a beauty thing, I'm not there while it's being made. My friend just brings it round in a container, like a little takeaway tub, and I put it on my face. There's nothing seedy about it.

So it's completely platonic semen sharing?
We've never kissed, there's no chemistry between us. It's literally just having a friend who you can trust and feel confident enough to say: "will you provide me with something I can't purchase anywhere else?" It's not like he's a cocky guy who is like, "hey, this would really turn me on." But you know, it's actually something that men throw away quite casually. But it has so many benefits; it's worth saving some back.

What actually are the many benefits of semen, though?
I mean, there's so much going on. Look at women breastfeeding, it's the best start for your baby. Lots of women eat their placentas after birth. What's in your body is so many vitamins and minerals, but people are often just put off by the thought of it. But actually I think it's far healthier than drinking cow's milk – an animal that was never designed for humans. If you google what's in semen it's stuff like zinc, potassium, the microbes that you are probably deficient in anyway.

Has anything ever gone wrong with the whole process?
I breathed in when I had it a bit too high on my lip and got it up my nose once. I was like, "oh no, I've just snorted his semen". But it always goes in my fridge door straight away, right at the top where I keep eggs, so the kids can't reach it. I wouldn't want them to go and eat it or play with it or put it in their food.

So looking back to when you first put out the video last year, did you expect such a big response?
I hoped that people would understand it, and I never expected it to do as well as it has done. You're obviously doing something right if it's got such a big response. Looking back though, the video was probably too long and informative – people switched off and just wanted to see when I put it on my face. The people who have seen the video from start to finish, they fully understand it. The way they comment you can tell they appreciate the content. Those that have clicked on it and thought, 'I just want to see the action shot' – they are the ones that have such critical and narky responses, because they just see the shock factor and are quite ignorant to the rest of it.

Did you expect people to see it as quite a sexual video?
I used to be a Page 3 model when I was 18. Fast forward and I have two kids now, and yeah, I still want to be perceived as attractive, but the semen facial wasn't about that. It was about finding something that actually works and sharing that with the world. It was about breaking down those barriers of communication.

Did you get any positive responses from people who saw your video and tried it? Or were the comments mainly stuff like 'I'd happily donate my cum straight to your face'?
Quite a lot of women have said, "I actually do this all the time", but I wasn't expecting anyone to actually admit that. Lots of gay guys have said exactly the same thing, like, "we do this all the time, we just don't speak about it." And lots of straight men tell me their hands are really soft when they make a mess of their own accord. So there's lots of support out there, but I just don't think anyone's ever used their friend's before.

Do you think bodily fluids becoming more acceptable in society then?
Absolutely. I mean, I've tasted my own bodily fluids. In sexual terms, some people put their tongue up someone's bum. In relationships, you put fingers in holes, you taste things, and you don't see it as cringeworthy. But when you take away the passion and say it's scientific, people don't like it.

And how has the online fame affected your life and career over the past year?
I mean, I did dominate the "#semen" hashtag for quite a while. But you know, I think it has actually made the world a better place. It's told people that you can be honest, and you don't need to be embarrassed – I mean, I have spots, I'm sweaty, I've got stretch marks, and I have semen dripping down my face. People either love me or hate me for that, but I'll never change. Just be open, be yourself, be real, be true.

True words of wisdom. Thanks so much, Tracy!

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