People go to great lengths to enhance their beauty, often seeking products and methods that promise smoother skin, fewer wrinkles, and flawless makeup. While some high-end beauty products boast unconventional ingredients with the allure of delivering impressive results, many consumers are unaware that their everyday cosmetics contain components that might shock them. Let’s dive into ten bizarre ingredients found in beauty products.
Bee Venom
Dreaming of smoother skin in just 28 days? Rodial offers a solution with their Bee Venom Super Serum, claiming to boost elasticity by up to 35%—at a cost of $240. Bee venom contains proteins, amino acids, and peptides that can benefit your skin. Studies indicate that it stimulates collagen production and enhances blood circulation.
This unusual ingredient can also diminish breakouts and skin redness due to its anti-inflammatory properties, leaving your skin smooth. The product is generally safe unless you’re allergic to bees, and the bees are supposedly unharmed during the venom extraction process. Numerous products incorporate bee venom, giving you several options to find what works best for your skin. [1]
Snail Mucus
Snail mucus, also known as snail mucin or slime, is a common ingredient in beauty products marketed to smooth wrinkles and heal damaged skin. Research suggests that snail mucus can hydrate the skin, aid in wound healing, and reduce the appearance of fine lines with consistent use. It’s always wise to start with a small amount to test for any adverse reactions.
Snails have been used for their healing properties for ages, with Hippocrates reportedly crushing them to treat skin issues as early as 400 BC. Snail mucin has been popular in South Korea for some time and began appearing in U.S. products around 2010. Maybe it’s time to consider adding snail slime to your skincare routine! [2]
Lanolin
Lanolin is used to treat and prevent dry, itchy skin and minor skin irritations. It’s a wax secreted by wool-bearing animals, commonly known as wool fat or wool grease. Certain domestic sheep breeds are raised specifically for their wool, which is then used in beauty products and other items. The sheep are not harmed during the extraction of lanolin.
Lanolin feels lightweight and helps trap moisture within the skin, making it a great skin healer that also reduces wrinkles. It works wonders on chapped lips, penetrating the moisture barrier to heal them quickly, rather than just sitting on the surface. [3]
Foreskin
One of the more shocking ingredients found in beauty products is foreskin. To be precise, fibroblast cells harvested from infant circumcisions are used to promote skin rejuvenation and healing. Tissue from circumcisions is sent to labs where nutrients, including fibroblasts and cytokines, are extracted to rejuvenate skin.
Many beauty products contain foreskin extracts, particularly anti-aging treatments designed to create a more youthful appearance. While the use of foreskin extract is legal, some consumers may find it unethical. Cosmetic companies claim the extraction process prevents contamination and is safe for consumers. Although using products containing foreskin may feel odd, the choice is up to the consumer. [4]
Ostrich Egg Yolk
Eggs are a great source of protein, vitamins, and other nutrients, making them a delicious breakfast staple. Apparently, egg yolk is also good for the skin—specifically, ostrich egg yolk. The ostrich egg is the largest of any living bird, and its yolk is used in various beauty products for its skin-conditioning properties. It can be found in serums, moisturizers, and other cosmetics. The antimicrobial properties of ostrich egg yolk can also combat acne and other skin conditions by preventing bacterial growth.
Ostrich egg yolk is rich in nutrients, and the extraction process separates the yolk from the white. Because an ostrich egg is much larger than a chicken egg, it contains a higher concentration of nutrients. Using ostrich egg yolk is generally considered safe, but users should exercise caution when using it for the first time to watch for allergic reactions. [5]
Crystal Iceplant
The crystal iceplant is a succulent covered in glistening water vesicles. Its ability to store water, which allows it to survive in the Saharan climate, also allows it to deliver long-lasting hydration when added to cosmetic products. Blithe Crystal Iceplant Pressed Serum contains 63% crystal iceplant extract, along with other ingredients, to hydrate sensitive skin.
This pressed serum delivers long-lasting moisture for those with oily complexions without clogging pores. Pressed serums combine the potency of a serum with the comfort of a cream and have become a major trend in South Korea, now making their way across the globe. [6]
Salmon
Salmon and other marine fish are rich in bioactive compounds, such as proteins and peptides, which are used in cosmetic products for their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. The cosmetic industry uses them to help repair skin and regenerate tissue. One ingredient used to exfoliate the skin is salmon egg enzymes.
This enzyme is released by salmon at birth and replaces acids in creams. Studies have shown that the salmon enzyme from the sacs where baby salmon are formed is a better alternative for exfoliating skin than the acids in many creams. Salmon sperm has also recently become a part of many anti-aging product formulas. [7]
Diamonds
As the saying goes, “diamonds are strong, resilient, and everlasting,” making them an appealing ingredient for beauty products. Lancer’s eye contour lifting cream contains diamond powder and minerals to help create a youthful glow. Dr. Harold Lancer, owner of Lancer Dermatology, is the Beverly Hills dermatologist to celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham. His company offers various luxury beauty products, including this lifting cream made with diamond powder.
The eye contour lifting cream contains caffeine to reduce puffy eyes and kelp to improve skin elasticity. It also contains alfalfa seed extract and lupine to reduce under-eye bags and wrinkles, while hyaluronic acid provides hydration. The star ingredient, diamond powder, provides photoluminescence to eliminate dark shadows and wrinkles, proving that diamonds truly are a girl’s best friend. [8]
Pig Collagen
Porcine collagen is derived mostly from pig bones, skin, and connective tissues. It is very similar to human collagen, which is why it’s beginning to appear in skincare products. Collagen provides elasticity, support, and strength to our skin and other body parts. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Pig collagen helps rejuvenate the skin.
Porcine collagen improves skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles, supports wound healing, and promotes skin hydration. It can be found in face masks, creams, and jellies. It’s generally safe, and products containing it are usually more affordable than products with similar ingredients. [9]
Insects
There is one ingredient in lipsticks, lip glosses, and eyeshadows that may surprise you: carmine. It is used to add a bright red color without using synthetic dyes. Carmine is made from dried and crushed female cochineal insects and is the secret behind many shades of red in your go-to lipstick (and some foods).
Cochineal insects are harvested and dried before being ground into a dark red powder. The extracted dye is boiled and filtered, then added with other ingredients to produce the color. It is estimated that between 22 billion and 89 billion female cochineals are killed each year to produce the dye. Many vegans feel misled by cosmetic companies that don’t disclose these additives, and there have been some health risks associated with cochineal products. Despite the controversy, carmine is here to stay in cosmetics. [10]
Beauty products often contain surprising ingredients, some of which might make you think twice about what you’re putting on your skin. From bee venom and snail mucus to more controversial components like foreskin and insects, the beauty industry continues to explore unconventional sources for achieving desired results. While many of these ingredients are considered safe and effective, it’s always wise to stay informed and consider your own values and sensitivities when choosing your skincare products.
What do you think of these bizarre beauty ingredients? Which ones shocked you the most? Leave your comment below!
