Beauty junkies from all over the world are often willing to try almost anything, even the weirdest formulas and ingredients, to achieve their desired results. However, before you dismiss them as crazy, you should know that they are actually very effective and may even contain properties that no other ingredients have. Learn about some of these weird beauty ingredients below.
Snail Mucin
Snail mucin is basically the slime secreted from the feet and body of snails to help them move more easily and protect the exposed tissues from external harm. It sounds disgusting, but that slime contains hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, peptides, and other essential proteins that help with the production of collagen and elastin. These proteins help keep your skin smooth and supple and also even out the complexion.
Of course, you don’t need to collect snail mucin directly; you can simply buy various products that use them as a primary ingredient. You can check out Korean skincare company COSRX — they are one of the most popular brands that carry snail mucin products, like face creams and essences.
Mung Beans
Also known as moong beans or green grams, mung beans are a popular ingredient in Asian dishes. Apart from containing various minerals like magnesium and sodium, which are great for maintaining several aspects of our health, mung beans are also rich in copper. Cooper is a potent anti-aging nutrient that helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, lighten dark spots, and reduce redness. When ground, the fine powder from mung beans can also be used to clear clogged pores and remove excess oil. Skincare products that use mung beans in their formulas include sheet and mud masks, facial cleansers and scrubs, and soaps.
Seaweed
That beachy glow you get after swimming in the sea? That’s the power of seaweed — no kidding! Seaweeds are packed with anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and hydrating properties since they contain various vitamins, peptides, and even omega fatty acids. Try seaweed-infused products such as moisturizing creams, facial masks and cleansers, and exfoliators to keep your complexion clear and even. Body soaps, meanwhile, help clean your skin without overdrying it; you can also follow up with seaweed-infused lotions to boost collagen production. For haircare, there are seaweed shampoos and conditioners, which help keep your scalp healthy and repair the hair from damaged caused by heat styling and UV exposure.
Placenta
Placenta, the mammalian organ which links the fetus to its mother while still in the womb and facilitates the transfer of nutrients and oxygen to the unborn child, is a popular beauty ingredient due to its rich protein content. Placenta soaps, masks, serums, facial treatments, and even supplement pills continue to be popular even after the emergence of other beauty ingredients; placenta-infused products are believed to be able to firm, lift, and hydrate the skin, as well as increase its elasticity. Placenta has also been found to influence the production of collagen and as an effective treatment for acne-prone or over-exfoliated skin.
Bee Venom
Honey isn’t the only product from bees that is used in beauty products; bee venom is also an effective skincare ingredient. It contains 18 (some studies claim even more) active components that help reduce wrinkles and boost collagen production. The various enzymes and peptides in bee venom also contribute to improved circulation and the quicker (yet gentler) healing of acne-damaged skin. Finally, bee venom is also a known anaphylactic — when ingested or injected directly to the bloodstream, it can cause allergic reactions. However, when processed correctly and applied to the skin, it can relax your muscles, basically acting like a natural botox treatment.
These ingredients may seem weird or downright disgusting to some, but these may turn out to be the beauty solutions you are looking for. And besides, once they’re already combined with other substances, you won’t be able to notice them anymore, anyway. So go ahead and try skincare and beauty products with these ingredients — you might be surprised by their wonderful effects.
