The quest for youthful skin has led women to try many exotic treatments.

But the one chosen by actress Kate Beckinsale perhaps tops the lot – it involves the discarded foreskins of South Korean infants.

The 45-year-old star underwent a facial for the first time last week that uses an epidermal growth factor serum containing stem cells cultivated from the discarded tissue of Korean baby boys.

The 45-year-old star underwent a facial for the first time last week that uses an epidermal growth factor serum containing stem cells cultivated from the discarded tissue of Korean baby boys

Miss Beckinsale boasted that the results are far more appealing than the ingredients. Alongside a picture of her make-up-free face, the mother-of-one told her fans on Instagram: ‘After a long flight, I do like to lie down and be covered in a mask of liquefied cloned foreskins – frankly who doesn’t?’

The £465 facial, which is performed by British-born beauty therapist Georgia Louise at her salon in New York, has become a favourite with celebrities. Sandra Bullock, 54, is credited with nicknaming it ‘the penis facial’.

The serum contains epidermal growth factor proteins, which are taken from the dermal fibroblasts – skin cells responsible for generating connective tissue – of circumcised baby boys. These fibroblasts, which produce collagen and other fibres, are then cloned in a lab to grow stem cells before they are put into the face cream.

Experts claim rubbing these stem cells onto the face activates ageing cells, producing more collagen and making fine lines disappear. The secret ingredient is sourced from South Korea because it has a large supply of foreskins obtained during circumcision, the general custom for young boys.

The country also has a large number of stem cell banks.