10 Bizarre Ingredients Found in Beauty Products

People will do whatever it takes to achieve their beauty goals, and there are some crazy products and methods that help consumers reach smoother skin, fewer wrinkles, and perfect makeup. Some high-end beauty products contain ingredients that are unconventional with a promise of working/ However, many don’t realize that some of their everyday cosmetics have ingredients that will shock them. Here are ten bizarre ingredients found in beauty products.

Related: 10 Terrifying and Weird Beauty Trends from Times Gone By

10 Bee Venom

Want smoother skin in just 28 days? Rodial can help you achieve that with their Bee Venom Super Serum, which boosts elasticity by up to 35%—for the low price of $240. Bee venom can benefit your skin in many ways thanks to the proteins, amino acids, and peptides that it contains. Studies have proven that bee venom can stimulate collagen production and increase blood circulation.

The strange ingredient can also reduce breakouts and redness on the skin because the venom has anti-inflammatory properties that help leave the skin smooth. The product is extremely safe if you are not allergic to bees, and the bees are not harmed during the extraction process. Several products on the market use bee venom, giving you options for finding the perfect product for your skin.^[1]

9 Snail Mucus

Snail mucus, also known as snail mucin or slime, is an ingredient in several beauty care products to help smooth wrinkles and heal damaged skin. Research has shown that snail mucus can hydrate skin, help wounds heal, and improve fine lines when used properly. Of course, it is always best to start with a small amount to check for any reactions first.

Snails have been used for ages to help with skincare and other health problems. Hippocrates was reportedly crushing snails for skin issues as early as 400 BC. Snail mucin has been popular for a while in places like South Korea, but it started showing up in U.S. products around 2010. It may be time to incorporate snail slime into your daily beauty routine.^[2]

8 Lanolin

Lanolin is used to treat or prevent dry and itchy skin and minor skin irritations. Lanolin is a wax secreted by wool-bearing animals, better known as wool fat or wool grease. There are domestic sheep breeds that are specifically raised for their wool to be used in beauty products and other items. The wooly animals are not harmed during the extraction of lanolin.

Lanolin has a lightweight feel and helps keep moisture trapped within the skin. It is a great skin healer and reduces wrinkles that may be forming. It also works well on chapped lips. It doesn’t just sit on top of the lips but rather penetrates the moisture barrier, helping dry lips heal quickly.^[3]

7 Foreskin

One of the more bizarre ingredients found in beauty products is foreskin. To be exact, fibroblast cells are harvested from the circumcisions of infants and are used in products to promote skin rejuvenation and healing. Tissue from circumcisions is sent to laboratories where the nutrients are extracted. These nutrients include fibroblasts and cytokines, which can help rejuvenate skin.

Several beauty products on the market contain foreskin, but the most popular are anti-aging treatments that work to create a more youthful appearance. While it is not illegal to use foreskin extract in beauty products, some consumers may find it unethical. Cosmetic companies claim the extraction process is completed in a manner that doesn’t allow contamination and is extremely safe for its consumers. It may feel strange knowing that foreskin is a part of your beauty products, but the decision to use it is strictly up to the consumer.^[4]

6 Ostrich Egg Yolk

Eggs are a good source of protein, vitamins, and other nutrients that make for a delicious breakfast. Egg yolk is apparently good for the skin, too—more specifically, ostrich egg yolk. The egg of an ostrich is the largest of any living bird, and its yolk is used in a variety of beauty products due to its ability to help condition skin. It is found in serums, moisturizers, and other cosmetic products. The antimicrobial properties of the egg yolk can also work against acne and other skin conditions. These properties prevent the growth of certain bacteria on the skin.

The yolk of the ostrich egg is rich in nutrients, and the extraction process separates the yolk from the egg white. Since the egg of an ostrich is much larger than that of a chicken, it contains a much higher amount of nutrients. Using ostrich egg yolk is considered safe, but consumers should demonstrate caution when first using it in case of an allergic reaction.^[5]

5 Crystal Iceplant

The crystal iceplant is a succulent flowering plant covered in glistening water vesicles, hence the name. The plant can survive in the Saharan climate due to its ability to reserve water, which means it can also help 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.

The pressed serum delivers long-lasting moisture for those with oily complexions without clogging pores. Pressed serums combine the potency of a serum mixed with the comfort of a cream. They have been a huge trend in South Korea, but the pressed serums are starting to make their way across the world.^[6]

4 Salmon

Salmon and other marine fish are rich in bioactive compounds such as proteins and peptides, which are used in cosmetic products due to their antioxidant and anti-aging properties. They are utilized by the cosmetic industry to help repair skin and regenerate tissue. One ingredient used to help exfoliate the skin is salmon egg enzymes.

The enzyme is released by salmon at birth, and it replaces acids in creams. Studies showed that the salmon enzyme of the sacs where baby salmon are formed was a better alternative to help exfoliate skin than the acid in many creams. Salmon sperm has also recently made its way into the cosmetic industry as a part of many formulas in anti-aging products.^[7]

3 Diamonds

The quote says that “diamonds are strong, resilient, and everlasting,” which is just the kind of ingredient you want in a beauty product. Lancer’s eye contour lifting cream is topped off with diamond powder and minerals to help create a youthful glow. Dr. Harold Lancer, owner of Lancer Dermatology, is the Beverly Hills dermatologist to many celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Victoria Beckham. His company offers a variety of luxury beauty products, including the lifting cream with diamond powder.

The eye contour lifting cream contains caffeine to reduce the look of puffy eyes and kelp to improve the look of skin’s elasticity. The cream also contains alfalfa seed extract and lupine to reduce bags and wrinkles under the eyes, while hyaluronic acid provides hydration to the eye area. Then comes the star of the product—the diamond powder. The diamond powder provides photoluminescence to eliminate dark shadows and wrinkles, proving that diamonds are a girl’s best friend.^[8]

2 Pig Collagen

Porcine collagen is a type of collagen derived mostly from pig’s bones, skin, and connective tissues. It is very similar to human collagen, which is one reason it is starting to appear in skincare products. Collagen provides elasticity, support, and strength to our skin and other parts of the body. As we age, collagen production is reduced, resulting in wrinkles and sagging skin. This is where the pig collagen enters the picture to help rejuvenate the skin.

The 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 for anyone to use on the body, and products containing pig collagen are usually more affordable than products with similar ingredients.^[9]

1 Insects

There is one ingredient found in lipsticks, lip gloss, and eye shadow that may surprise you. Carmine is used in these products to add a bright red color without using synthetic dyes. Carmine is made from dried and crushed shells of female cochineal insects. Carmine is the secret behind many shades of red in your favorite lipstick color (and some foods).

Cochineal insects are harvested and dried before being ground up to produce the dark red shade in a powder. The extracted dye is boiled and filtered, then added with other ingredients to produce the color. It is estimated that anywhere between 22 billion and 89 billion female cochineals are killed each year to produce the dye. Many who live a vegan lifestyle have felt misled by cosmetic companies that don’t disclose their additives, and there have also been some health risks connected to cochineal products. Even with the controversy surrounding carmine, it is here to stay in cosmetics.^[10]