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From snail slime to bee venom, these bizarre skincare ingredients will rejuvenate and replenish your skin

1. Snail slime

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: unsplash.com
Tatler Asia
Above Saromae Snail Serum Concentrate by SMD Cosmetics. (Photo: Courtesy of SMD Cosmetics)

Better known for being eaten as escargot, snails are now being used in beauty products. Snail mucin, which is the scientific name for snail slime, is growing in popularity as a key ingredient in numerous creams, masks and serums.

The idea of slathering snail slime on your face may sound unappealing, but it's been proven to prevent dryness, give the skin a dewy glow, combat signs of ageing and even enhance wound-healing.

Hong Kong Tatler recommends: Saromae Snail Serum Concentrate to hydrate, smooth, repair and brighten skin.

See also: These Korean Skincare Products Are All The Rage

2. Broccoli

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of unsplash.com
Tatler Asia
Above Protective Day Oil by Marie Veronique. (Photo: Courtesy of Marie Veronique)

We all know that eating antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables benefits your skin, but did you know that you can top off your five-a-day with beauty ingredients that are extracted from your favourite greens?

Brands are cold-pressing broccoli seeds into oil, which can protect you against UV rays. Oil also boasts a unique blend of fatty acids that hydrates skin, while its lightweight and quick-absorbing characteristics also appeals to those with an oily T-zone.

Hong Kong Tatler recommends: Marie Veronique's Protective Day Oil combined with a high SPF sunscreen is the ideal way to protect and hydrate your skin while enjoying a day out in the sun

3. Sheep placenta

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of unsplash.com
Tatler Asia
Above Replenish & Restore Night Recovery Mask by MZ Skin. (Photo: Courtesy of MZ Skin)

This could be the hardest product to get behind, but the results are well worth looking past the initial shock of using placenta in your beauty routine.

Placenta, which in beauty is usually extracted from sheep, is a source of hyaluronic acid, which is the ingredient is packed with hormones that promote tissue development. The treatment also promotes the growth of collagen, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles thus improving the overall texture of the skin, boosting the skin’s renewal process and lessening pigmentation and scars.

Hong Kong Tatler recommends: The lush Replenish & Restore Night Recovery Mask from Dr. Maryam Zamani’s MZ Skin line is infused with nutrient-rich sheep placenta and phyto stem cells to nourish, detoxify and brighten skin.

See also: 5 Beauty Treatments You Need to Try Before Your Big Day

4. Bee venom

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of unsplash.com
Tatler Asia
Above Hydrating Day Créme by Bee Yü. (Photo: Courtesy of Bee Yü)

Don’t worry, bee venom-infused beauty won't sting. In fact, it will leave you with plumper lips and smoother skin.

The science behind this phenomenon is rooted in application–small amounts of bee venom fools the skin into thinking it has been stung (without the painful sensation) causing the body to send blood to the affected area, thus stimulating the production of collagen.

Hong Kong Tatler recommends: Bee Yü’s Hydrating Day Créme uses bee venom and natural royal jelly (honey bee secretion) from New Zealand to tighten fine lines and wrinkles.

5. Caffeine

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of unsplash.com
Tatler Asia
Above Caffeine Mask by 100% Pure. (Photo: Courtesy of 100% Pure)

Coffee addicts will swoon when they hear that they can get their daily dose of caffeine through their skincare regimen. Not only does caffeine help you accomplish five hours’ worth of tasks in a one-hour lunch break, it also provides numerous benefits for your skin.

This wonder-ingredient can soothe signs of irritation, calm redness, nourish marks of sun damage, restore vital hydration and rewind signs of stress and fatigue.

Hong Kong Tatler recommends: 100% Pure Caffeine Mask is composed of 95% organic aloe juice and 5% plant cellulose. This mask offers a blend of caffeine-rich skin brighteners and moisturisers like coffee or green tea.

See also: Discover What Chanel's Secret Ingredients Are For Amazing Skin

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