Bizarre beauty products

No, this doesn’t constitute to rubbing a snail on your face (gross). Having said that though, snail slime (or mucin) is packed with nutrients like hyaluronic acid, copper peptides and more – all the good things that should go on your face. A trendy ingredient in the Korean beauty world, snail mucin is best if you’re looking for anything anti-ageing – it helps stimulate the formation of collagen and elastin, restores hydration and is great for getting rid of wrinkles, scars and age spots. Cosrx’s Advance Snail 92 All In One Cream works as a daily moisturiser that will keep your skin looking youthful. Made with all-natural 92 percent snail secretion filtrate, it’ll delay the signs of ageing and rejuvenate the skin.

Available through hermo.my. RM72.

More than a key spice in making barbecues and curry, turmeric has the power to soothe irritation, tackle pesky blemishes and even give your skin a radiant glow. With a quick Google search, you’ll be able to find various DIY tutorials on how to utilise the spice, but be warned because the yellow hues in the powder can temporarily stain the skin if overused. We suggest opting for Kiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque – it brightens dull and fatigued skin, with the turmeric minimising redness and delivering a youthful glow.

Available at all Kiehl’s (kiehlstimes.com.my) counters and stores. RM174.53.

The product that started the horse oil trend: The Guerisson9 Complex cream became a hot item a few years ago after being endorsed by Korean actress Honey Lee and now Lee Kwang Soo. Horse oil is made through the extraction of oils from horse fat, and because its properties are similar to the oils naturally produced by human skin, it’s more readily absorbed. A dream for anyone with dry skin, the cream is smooth and soft like butter, and doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy. It promises to rejuvenate and soften skin while lightening hyper pigmentation and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. For those struggling with oily skin, opt for the lighter version of the cream, which eases up on the oil but has the same benefits.

Available at selected Watsons stores. RM93.39.

Eggs are great on toast, scrambled, in an omelette, on your mee goreng; you basically just can’t go wrong with egg – even if it’s on your face. Egg whites are known to help tighten pores and clear black heads, while the yolk is full of proteins, vitamins and fatty acids that work to retain moisture in the skin. A Korean beauty cult favourite, the Too Cool For School egg mousse pack is a frothy facial mask that foams up like a meringue once applied to the skin. It’ll transform rough and dull skin to one with a more smooth and radiant complexion.

Available through hermo.my. RM35.

Sourced from a variety of natural products including crustaceans, arthropods and chicken bone marrow, glucosamine reduces the appearance of wrinkles and stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, which is known to attract and hold vast amounts of moisture. You can find glucosamine in Dermalogica’s Power Rich Age Smart, which smoothens fine lines and increases skin resilience with bio-stimulating botanicals that help trigger collagen production. With such an odd and rare ingredient in your skin care, expect the price tag to shock you just as much as the fact that there are possibly crabshells and chicken bone marrow in your moisturiser.

Available at Dermalogica (dermalogica.com.my) counters and stores. RM789.

The myth of pouring beer into your hair for shinier and fuller locks has been around for decades. Have we tried it? No. But beer is said to be rich in proteins and vitamins – thanks to the natural barley and hops – and the alcohol acts as a cleansing and shining agent. If you’re not down to douse your hair with a bottle of beer but still want to give it a go, reach for shampoos like the Botanicus Beer and Hops shampoo that is made to strengthen hair and give it a natural shine. Incorporated with organic willow and walnut extract, it’ll revitalise follicles, add volume and even darken your hair.

Available through onlyorganicshop.com. From RM129.90.

Salmon roe may be great on sushi, but add the extract of salmon roe into a cream and you’ll find a product that’s perfect for anyone looking to brighten any facial area. The extract has a similar composition as regular skin care items like glycolic acid and retinols – it’s full of vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and retinol, which are great for combating ageing skin. With the Skin Food Salmon Darkcircle Concealer Cream, you’ll be able to hide under-eye dark circles as well as mend and brighten any discoloration in that area. Although it claims to be full coverage, we’d say it’s a more light to medium and gives just enough coverage without settling into fine lines.

Available at Skin Food stores (fb.com/skinfoodMY). RM32.