Everyone is always looking for ways to keep their skin looking young and healthy but some people are taking it a bit too far. Just take a look at the labels of some skincare products and you may be surprised to see that some of the ingredients said to work wonders for the skin are not only weird, but also gross. Here are a few examples:
1. Placenta
Placenta is the organ present in mammals that connects the mother to the fetus. It protects and feeds the fetus and also allows fetal waste to be disposed. And now, purified human and cow placenta is used in several skincare products. Placenta contains vitamins, minerals and proteins that have conditioning and antioxidants properties, hydrating skin and improving its elasticity. However, placenta is also rich in hormones and, according to the EWG (Environmental Working Group), a surge of those could cause premature breast growth in toddlers.
2. Snail Slime
Some companies are adding purified snail slime to their products. Snail slime contains allantoin, a substance that regenerates snail shells when they get damaged. When applied on the skin, it is said to have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it is supposed to make skin brighter, softer and to reduce the appearance of scars.
3. Nightingale Poop
Yes, you’re read that right. Apparently, a spa in New York offers a Geisha facial ($180) that is supposed to soften and brighten skin. And one of the ingredients used in these facials is nightingale poop, which contains natural enzymes and guanine that cleanse skin and give it a pearly glow. Still, there are lots of way to achieve that without having to pay lots of money to slather poop all over your face.
4. Sperm
Poop is not the only weird thing used for facials. At some spas you can get sperm facials for $250! Sperm contains spermine, a substance that has antioxiodants properties and is supposed to help with acne too. And now a Norwegian company called Bioforskning is synthesizing and adding it to their products as well.
What do you think of these ingredients? Would you be willing to try them in the name of beauty or are you sticking to “normal” ingredients for now? As for me, I think I’ll pass and keep using my regular products for now.
Sources: 1, 2
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
no bird poo for me! and I’d be stupid to pay $250 for sperm facial… Lol. regular ingredients will do!
.-= Connie´s last blog ..Review: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural =-.
uhm..no thanks! hahahhaa that’s so crazyyyy!!!
hi! i hope you don’t mind if i add you =))
.-= mimi´s last blog ..review: OPI nail polish in " you don’t know jacques!" =-.
Sperm facial? No, please!
.-= Dao´s last blog ..Caress Evenly Gorgeous Giveaway =-.
Connie, I feel exactly the same. Would never pay so much for such gross ingredients when the regular one work just as well.
Mimi, I agree, this stuff is too weird and off-putting.
And of course I don’t mind, thank you for adding me
Dao, I agree with you 100%
I would never do that.
Actually (some/many?) people in China do save up the (human) placenta for the mother to eat (of course not raw) after giving birth…and I believe it has been more than 10 years since they had made those Swiss lamb placenta injection…
I think I will just stick to/try the healthy diet and workout thing…
Why are they synthesizing sperm? I though it’s widely available…and how in the world did they find out it’s supposed to help acne…Ewwww
Isn’t the nightingale poop facial something Victoria Beckam does? I seem to remember hearing about it on the radio when she came to Milan! That’s why she looks like s…!!! Hahahaha! Sorry, I couldn’t help it! I actually don’t think she looks bad at all! As for snails…well, snail syrup is actually really great as a cough treatment, my little son loves it and benefits from it when he has bad coughs! (obviously, it’s not snail juice in a bottle, but it does contain some snaily stuff!). As for placenta…I think at this point it’s better to keep the human one for stem cells (unfortunately I could not do that for my baby!) and sperm…I won’t even comment on that! xx
.-= Anna´s last blog ..Review: Chanel Lift Lumière Smoothing and Rejuvenating Eye Contour Concealer + my other concealers =-.
Poop, sperm, whats with these people and human / animal excretion? YUCK!! >.<
I'll stick to the regular stuff, thankyouverymuch!
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..MAC Love Lace Collection =-.
Citrine, I heard that some people eat the placenta after giving birth but personally I find that very gross. That’s not something I’d want to eat or put on my skin. Like you, I’d rather eat healthy and work out.
And I’m not sure I wanna know the answers to those qustions about sperm…
OMG 250$ for a cream that contains sperm?
) Who would pay so much money for something they can have for free (I’m joking) 
but sounds weird 
.-= Tavia´s last blog ..Get the Christmas Look 2009 with Givenchy Le Makeup =-.
Anna, I didn’t know Victoria Beckham has that facial done but it doesn’t surprise me. I hope it’s not true though, that’s gross.
I didn’t know snail syrup existed. The thought of it is a bit off-putting but I’m glad it makes your son feel better
I agree with you on the placenta and I’m sorry you couldn’t do that. Laws aren’t always very fair here in Italy
Tavia, $250 is for the facial, I think creams with sperm are a bit less expensive but still, that’s crazy! And weird, I agree. I’m sure many men would give theirs away for free though lol (joking).
Jenn, I agree with you. The thought of putting those things on your face is so off-putting, esp when normal ingredients work just as well.