Since 2017, the beauty and personal care market in the UK has been worth £10.2 billion. An impressive valuation, but nonetheless it is a small fraction of the £407-billion global beauty industry.
With this much revenue, it’s no wonder big beauty companies can spend a lot of money on R&D. As a result, beauty products continue to evolve, and many of them have peculiar ingredients.
Here are the ones that have popped into our radar.
Mask and serum
Have you heard about a night serum infused with sheep placenta? This is the main ingredient in MZ Skin’s Rest and Revive Serum. Dermatologist Joshua Zeichner explained that while it may be new to the West, using placenta extracts are actually common in Eastern medicine. It’s believed to enhance skin cell regeneration, which makes you look younger.
Farm animals seem to be popular in the beauty market, as pig collagen may now be a component of sleep masks, too. The ingredient is widely used in Korean skincare for its anti-aging benefits. It is thought to reduce fine lines and puffiness as well as lighten under-eye circles. Others also claim that pig collagen is a natural antioxidant and face moisturiser.
If you want a skincare routine similar to Angelina Jolie’s, try slathering caviar-based products on your face. Fish eggs are apparently rich in amino acids that promote tissue regeneration. They can minimise pores and make the skin look younger.
This segment can go on forever, but for now, let’s cap it off with something that’s really odd – bird droppings. According to Byrdie, bird droppings are essential in the exfoliation routine of Japanese geishas. The modern process involves taking the droppings and sanitising them under UV light. The dried material is then pulverised to create a base ingredient for a mask.
Anti-acne products
Snail slime has been discovered to contain proteins that enhance collagen production. Brands like Biopelle use the extract in their products, which can tighten the skin and reduce acne.
Another animal byproduct that supposedly reduces breakouts is horse fat. It has anti-inflammatory properties that tone down acne flare-ups.
Soap and body scrub
Not all soaps today are just for cleansing and moisturising, because some of them might even enhance your figure. Pretty Me highlights different soaps made with uncommon ingredients, including Egg Crystal Soap and Doom Breast Enhancing Soap. Unlike the other items above that are derived from animals, Doom Soap contains mostly plant-based ingredients like palm stearic oil and soybean oil. These aid in collagen synthesis, which is said to make the breasts tighter and stimulates the growth of fat cells in the chest. Seeing as breast augmentation is the most sought-after cosmetic procedure in Britain, a breast enhancing soap may be a less expensive alternative. Perhaps you can gain a fuller bust without having to go under the knife.
Not all unconventional beauty products come ready-made though. One of the easiest DIY solutions is coffee ground-infused body scrub which not only exfoliates the skin, but also gives it a nice fragrance.
Nail care
Lastly, reviving brittle nails don’t have to be too complicated or costly. Another simple remedy makes use of warm olive oil. Simply microwave a small bowl of olive oil and soak your nails for 15 to 30 minutes.
The days when green tea and castor oil were considered unconventional are long gone. Some people might call the items above bizarre, but many consider them miraculous and will continue to use them in the name of beauty.