Snake Venom? Jellyfish Minerals? Snail Mucin? Black Pearl Essence?
These futuristic non-vegan-friendly skincare ingredients are taking over the skincare market in South Korea and we ask are they worth it?
South Korea is one of the leading countries for innovative skincare and beauty products.
The South Korean Skincare market is among the top 10 around the world, with an estimated worth of over $3.6 billion in exported sales in 2020.
Korea is also one of few countries with “functional cosmetics,”a label allowed by the Korea Food and Drug Administration for anti-wrinkle, elasticity-boosting, pigment-fading and sunscreen properties. This has fueled more research for better products.
Estee Lauder made Have & Be Co. widely known for its Dr. Jart+ line, its first acquisition of an Asian beauty brand in November 2019. That deal, worth $1.1 billion, turned founder ChinWook Lee into a billionaire.
Let's now look at these uncommon skincare ingredients flooding the skincare market making its was abroad in an alarming rate.
Snake Venom
snake venom has been used for both beauty and medicinal purposes in Eastern cultures for ages—the protein relaxes muscles in a similar way to Botox, temporarily blocking the uptake of sodium by underlying cells, which in effect causes a softening and smoothing effect on fine lines and wrinkles.
If you're needle-phobic, are focused more on prevention than reversal, or don't have crazy high expectations, these venom-infused topicals can be a good alternative to botox, or great to use in-between botox treatments which typically last around three to four months.
Jellyfish Minerals
Jellyfish is an excellent source of selenium, an essential mineral that plays a major role in several important processes in your body. It has been shown to have antioxidant properties, protecting your cells from oxidative stress.
Jellyfish have high levels of collagen, and have positive impact on skin protein involved in hydration, skin barrier function, wound healing and general function of the skin.The molecules produced by Jellyfish are not only beneficial to maintaining the condition of skin but also host a tonne of hydrating benefits.
Collagen is much beneficial for maintaining skin health. It assists in keeping elasticity of skin even when getting older. Collagen helps to support the regeneration of skin cells for keeping it firm and young for longer time.
Snail Mucin
Also known as snail slime, snail mucin has been shown to moisturize the skin, promotes collagen production, and aids in skin healing and regeneration.
A chemical analysis revealed that snail mucin contained various different substances, including allantoin, collagen, elastin, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and natural antibacterials
Snail mucin contains moisturizing agents that work to repair the barrier function of the skin, and help lock in moisture. The glycolic acid helps to stimulate collagen production that not only helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles, but it also helps to give your complexion a radiant, youthful glow.
Black Pearl Essence
Pearl essence is packed with antioxidants which help fight against free-radicals that damage and age the skin.
When applied onto the skin, pearl essence accelerates collagen and elastin renewal, repairs damaged cells it brightens the complexion.
Pearl essence is shown to contain 17 amino acids, and more than 30 trace minerals, along with a high concentration of calcium. It has been shown to promotes elasticity in the skin, making it softer because it strengthens the internal structure of the cells.
With all the research and science behind these bizarre skin care ingredients, It's hard not to be enticed not to try them ourselves.