Snail Slime + 5 Other Weird Skincare Ingredients
How closely have you looked at your skincare product labels? You might be surprised to find a few unexpected ingredients worth reading more about!
Just because something sounds bizarre doesnβt mean it isnβt beneficial, and when it comes to our beauty routines, there are some wacky, unique, and downright fascinating ingredients that enhance our skincare. From spicy stimulants that jumpstart circulation to edible items that seem more likely to appear on our dinner plates than in our daily beauty regimen, here are six interesting ingredients that you might be surprised to find in your favorite beauty products.
Snail Slime + 5 Other Weird Skincare Ingredients
Cherry Peppers
Despite packing heat thatβs similar to a jalapeΓ±o, you might be surprised to learn that cherry peppers are used in some beauty products to invigorate the skin and increase circulation. βNot only can these peppers be used to spice up authentic South American cuisine,β says Erin Bruton, Owner and Lead Aesthetician at EB Skin in Nashville, βbut at EB Skin, we use this unusual ingredient to fire up the skin cells!β In fact, cherry pepper extract is the main attraction in the EB Skin Cherry Pepper Peel, which happens to be used in their natural Sorella Apothecary facial treatments.
βCherry Pepper peel is recommended for normal to combination skin types and can be used to treat aging, dullness, large pores, and acne breakouts,β says Erin. βWhile this product is probably best left in the hands of professionals, some clients with tolerant skin may also use it as a weekly smoothing at-home treatment.β So, if youβre looking for rosy, vibrant skin, the cherry pepper peel might be the way to go. Who knew?
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Mung Beans
Chock full of antioxidants, mung beans are a staple in many Asian dishes, both sweet and savory. Mung beans are so rich in nutrients, in fact, that it makes them a stellar ingredient in beauty products, too. βDue to the multitude of benefits of mung bean, it can be considered a skincare powerhouse ingredient,β explains Morgan Kelly, Director of Education and Training for The Indie Queens, which provides products to Woo Skincare and Cosmetics in Atlanta. One such product is the RΓ©Vive Masque de Radiance, a brightening and moisturizing mask containing mung bean seed oil. βIt boosts the radiance and brightness of the skin when used topically,β says Morgan. βMung Beans are also packed with phytoestrogen, which promotes the collagen and elastin strength within the skin.β In fact, itβs so effective, you can watch the color transform as it sits on your skin and works its magic.
Snail Slime
Youβve likely heard of K-pop, but have you heard of K-beauty? The ultimate goal in the uber-popular Korean beauty trend, it seems, is achieving luminous skin via a multi-step process. However, Korean beauty products seem to have a unique way of achieving that goal, using quite a few ingredients that seem a bit out of the ordinary. Perhaps one of the more controversial ingredients found in Korean beauty products, snail mucus tends to throw people for a loop. Despite the initial shock over the idea of using snail slime, it turns out snail mucin offers its share of benefits such as restoring hydration, improving wrinkles and scars, repairing damaged tissue, slowing the aging process, and treating stretch marks. No wonder K-Beauty has seen such a surge in recent popularity!
βI think Korean skincare has become more popular because the COVID pandemic has caused an epidemic of decaying mental health,β says Korean-born, Charlotte-based (and Tik Tok famous!) doctor Zion Ko Lamm. βItβs almost like our mental and spiritual selves have seen too much sun. By creating a holistic skincare routine, itβs a way we prioritize self-love and self-care. By incorporating mindfulness and meditation into our skincare routines, weβre helping to maintain a healthy glow both inside and out!β
White Tea
Full of anti-inflammatory properties, green tea is a relatively well-known ingredient in everything from moisturizers to antioxidant masks. But did you know white tea can be even more beneficial? βWe include white tea, Camellia Sinensis leaf extract, in our Behind the Scenes Color Corrector product,β says Jocelyn Atkinson, founder of Dermaflage in Memphis. βMade from the same plant as the more well-known βgreen tea extract,β it is less processed and therefore has higher catechin and antioxidant value than other tea.β A trick to mask skin discoloration, the corrector uses opposing colors on the color theory spectrum to counterbalance redness and reduce inflammation. βMany products contain green tea,β says Jocelyn, βbut fewer have white tea extract. Very few, if any, are a green color to effectively hide redness!β
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Licorice
You may or may not be fond of the taste of licorice. Either way, having it in your skincare certainly has its benefits. In fact, it provides a brightening effect by gently fading unwanted dark areas of your skin, and preventing hyperpigmentation. Itβs also known for its anti-inflammatory properties. βLicorice root extract is a unique skincare ingredient found in our best-selling Conceal + Concealer by Fitglow Beauty,β says Kate Zills, owner of Made Simple Living in Birmingham. βIt not only works as a concealer to camouflage problematic skin and to conceal under eyes, but it also works with your skin to improve its look and condition.β While not commonly used in concealer, licorice root extract is a fairly common plant-based alternative to brighten skin, such as in the Vitamin C Serum from Brittanieβs Thyme in Union Springs, Alabama. You can also find it in supplements to balance hormones and as one of the main ingredients in products meant for soothing irritation such as acne and eczema.
Marshmallow
Does the idea of marshmallows elicit visions of sβmores by the campfire? Youβre not alone. Nevertheless, strange though it may sound, you might find a healthy dose of marshmallow root among the ingredients in your favorite cleanser or lotion. βOne of the most interesting ingredients we have in one of our organic skincare lines, Naturopathica, is marshmallow root,β says Tami Sprintz Hall, owner of Nashvilleβs Escape Day Spa. βYou can find it in three of our products, including the Marshmallow and Ceramide Sensitivity Soothing Serum, the Marshmallow and Microalgae Sensitivity Soothing Cream, and the Marshmallow and Probiotic Sensitivity Soothing Cream Cleanser.β In fact, you can experience all three products in Escapeβs marshmallow soothing facial, which offers immediate relief for sensitive skin, calms inflammation, alleviates redness, and restores hydration. You can also buy the products separately for daily home use. βThe products nourish and help prevent visible signs of premature aging,β says Tami. βThe hydrating marshmallow extract soothes even the most irritated and compromised skin.β
Ready to think outside the box? Try one of these creative and invigorating products or treatments, and enjoy a new skincare experience!
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Editorial Operations Manager and Lead Content Editor. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.