Would you use snail gel to rid wrinkles?
The latest celebrity wonder ingredient made from the slime of snails is fast becoming a ‘must have’ beauty buy for Brits preparing for the party season, thanks to its unique anti-aging properties.
Sales of Snail Gel have increased by nearly 700 per cent at health food chain Holland & Barrett in the past four weeks, after hitting TV screens in December in the lead up to Christmas.
The link between snail slime and benefits to skin was uncovered by chance when Chilean snail farmers noticed their skin healed quickly without scarring when they handled snails they were exporting to the French food industry.
Since this discovery, using snail slime in cosmetics has already boomed in Japan where a live-snail-facial is a premium spa treatment which commands a £160 price tag.
Shoppers are now able to gain the benefits of snail gel in a £19.99 face cream which harvests the precious “mucus” as snails crawl over special glass and plastic surfaces without causing them any harm.
The unique ingredient which gives the snail slime its beauty properties - Helix Aspersa Muller - contains proteins, glycolic acids, allantoin, hyaluronic acid and elastin, all of which help with regeneration and repair of snails’ membranes and shells.
Trials have investigated the healing properties of snail secretion, with one conducted on burns victims stating the ingredient was “a natural, safe and effective alternative treatment in open wound management of partial thickness burns in adults”.
Actress Katie Holmes and ex Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts are fans of the regenerative properties of Snail Gel for their skin. The product’s celebrity following has led the trend for younger people to seek out “more natural and ethical beauty products”, according to Holland & Barrett who are exclusively stocking the product. Ashley Roberts commented in an interview: “I love natural beauty products and try to moisturise as much as possible. I use Dr Organic Snail Gel, which keeps my skin really soft and healthy.”
“Although it might appear unusual at first, going back to source can uncover some of nature’s best and most effective solutions,” said Lucy Pottinger, Holland & Barrett’s Senior Beauty Buyer.
“This is particularly true in natural beauty, which has become the fastest growing category in store as customers realise that the products they put on their bodies are just as important as the foods they put in them. Although clearly, to avoid too much of an ‘eew factor’, we have combined the natural snail gel with Aloe Vera and Lemongrass to ensure it smells and feels as good as it works.
“We have been overwhelmed by how popular this unique beauty product has become and customers have been stocking up on the product in the lead up to key party season when everyone wants to look and feel their best!” continues Lucy Pottinger.
The beauty product has been causing a stir with younger customers, who have been going wild about the product’s moisturising and anti–ageing benefits.
Rating Snail Gel five out five in an online review, one customer said: “This stuff is great! I haven't been using it for very long but the results are instant. Skin feels lovely and fresh, looks more even toned and the smell is very fresh. I must admit when I first came across it I felt a little squeamish, but it’s worth getting over that! I have been back and purchased two more for Christmas presents.”
Tagged in Beauty Tips Anti-Ageing