Would you try these crazy beauty ingredients?
Activated charcoal is the latest ingredient on the detoxing scene. But would you REALLY want to consume a lump of coal?
Prawns
You could soon be massaging prawn shells into your head, sort of. Researchers at Glyndŵr University in north Wales have discovered a new type of molecule in the rotting seafood that could give your hair volume and moisture and help with split ends.
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Charcoal
It turns out that Father Christmas isn't the only one who should be stocking up on charcoal throughout the year. Because those in the health and beauty know are listing activated charcoal as the next big thing for detoxing. Drinking (yes, drinking!) activated charcoal, which is just normal charcoal that has been burnt in the presence of gas, means that it will absorb toxins in your system. And it's so good at its job, in fact, that it's known to be used in medical treatments for poisoning or drug overdose. The pockets in its structure allow gases and toxins to be absorbed into it, meaning they stay well clear from all your organs. Which sounds pretty ideal, really. Would you give it a go?
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
Gram flour
Gram flour, made from chickpeas and mostly used in Indian cuisine, is said to have great benefits for skin and hair. Mixed in with other natural ingredients such as yogurt and lemon juice, it can help remove fake tan, reduce oiliness and prevent pimples. It also serves as a conditioner and hair mask.
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
Sheep placenta
Sheep placenta facials are all the rage in Hollywood right now (fans include Victoria Beckham and Harry Styles from One Direction). Why? It is said to boost collagen and elastin, for firmer and brighter skin.
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
Urine
Yes, urine. A new book by nutritional and healthcare consultant Martha Christy, Your Own Perfect Medicine, claims an enzyme found in urine can help with acne, eczema, psoriasis and fungal infections. All you need to do is dab it directly on to your skin.
If you're feeling particularly bold, Christy recommends urine baths, or even drinking it to boost your health.
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
Pig collagen
Pig collagen is having a bit of a moment in the Korean beauty industry. Extracted from pig skin, it is said to help erase wrinkles and achieve glowing skin by increasing skin elasticity and hydratiion.
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
Placenta
Naturally packed with nutritional goodness, it has long been claimed that the proteins in placenta – human or otherwise – can help feed skin and encourage replenishment.
Though not a mainstream craze (yet), there are several skincare companies (mostly in America) using placenta in face creams and treatments.
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
Bee venom
A favourite of A-list celebrities, bee venom has grown in popularity over the past few years as a beauty product ingredient, thanks to studies by scientists including Dr Sang Mi Han.
According to the experts, purified bee venom contains a potent combination of minerals, peptides and amino acids, that work on all levels of the skin to encourage naturally occurring cell regeneration, boost collagen formation, prevent sun damage, and accelerate the recovery of damaged skin cells.
Some even claim it’s a great alternative to antibiotic acne therapy.
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
Sperm
Perhaps the most controversial ingredient on the list? According to researchers, using sperm in facial treatments leaves the skin looking blemish and wrinkle free, thanks to proteins, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium and fructose.
Some New York beauty salons also use ultrasound and infrared light to help the ingredient penetrate (no pun intended) the skin’s upper layers.
We can’t say we’ve tried this one out.
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
Snail slime
Currently enjoying the beauty industry spotlight, clinical tests claim to have found high levels of naturally occurring anti-ageing ingredients like allantoine, collagen, and elastin in snail slime, plus anti-bacterial substances that all have healing, smoothing and purifying effects on human skin.
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Celebrity anti-ageing beauty secrets
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