Let a Slimey Snail Help You With Anti-Ageing

Hello friends! What's the quirkiest anti-ageing method that you've heard of or done? Have you heard about the slime from snails is extremely good for your skin and anti-ageing? I only heard about it a couple of weeks ago and I'm rather late with that because a Korean cosmetic brand Missha have already launched a cream that contains snail extracts back in 2010. I also found an article by Daily Mail written in 2011 about snail slime, click here. The article indicates that many European creams have been using the slime for years and Ancient Greeks have been using them too. Wow!

The photo above shows a women having a snail put on her face....I don't think I would ever go for that sort of treatment. I'd rather go for a painful waxing treatment than having a snail crawling on my face. *Shrugs* Just plain disgusting lol. I absolutely hate slimey creatures; I scream when I see worms, slugs, snails, frogs and other slimey creatures. lol.

Nevertheless, if Missha have launched a cream containing snail extract of course there would be other brands that have something similar. I recently bought Dr.Organic's organic snail gel from Holland & Barratt for £19.99, 50ml. They are currently on offer, buy 1 get 2nd half price. It can be used on face and body but I'm just using it on my face right now.

The product doesn't contain 100% snail gel, it also contains other natural ingredients which are all beneficial to the skin; aloe vera leaf juice, lime oil, lemongrass oil and litsea cubeba oil. The lime and lemon grass oil gives the gel a citrusy aroma. The gel is clear like water but thicker. I've read some positive reviews about it like smoother skin and reduced wrinkles. Some have said they are using it as a primer and in fact it does look like primer. 

More about the snail slime

The scientific word for the snail slime is Helix Aspera Muller; a mixture of protein, glycolic acids, elastin collagen, allantoin, vitamins and minerals; this substance helps the snail to quickly regenerate its own shell and skin when damaged. It also protects snail skin from UV rays.

How to use it?

You can use on your face and body, day and night. Use it after cleansing and use in conjunction with a moisturiser after the gel has been absorbed.

Results on myself

I've only used it for a week during day time in conjuction with coconut oil (my day moisturiser). This definitely works 10 times better than those expensive skin care products which I tend to react to most of them. I haven't reacted to snail gel so that's good. I can tell you that you can feel instant result. I say feel because my skin feels a lot smoother and more hydrated on day 1. Not "see" because I don't have wrinkles yet (Thank God), well not major lines anyways. If snail gel is an effective anti-ageing substance than I expect no wrinkles until I reach 40 or later lol.

Thinking about it, snail gel isn't that weird because most Oriental people eats birds' saliva. That is apparently really good for the skin too. I also remember going on holiday to some island in mainland of China and they sold beauty products that apparently contains diamond dust. However weird it is, its better to be using natural ingredients than products that contains harmful chemicals and unnatural of course.

What do you think of the idea of putting slime on your face? Do you use any other weird ingredients for anti-ageing?

Anti-ageing Sk:n cream for younger skin

Sk:n, The UK's No. 1 skin clinic

I recently bought a new moisturiser, Sk:n Age-Delaying Cream for younger skin. I bought this because it indicates it is for younger skin and anti-ageing. I thought this is perfect since I was trying to figure out which brand is more suited for my age group- 20s.

The other feature that attracted me was the ingredient. Lately, I have been paying more attention to the ingredients of the skin care products, I never used to read the ingredients. I just chose which ever one I thought was affordable and indicated it was hydrating. But we all know 5/10 skin care products doesn't do what it claims to do or it doesn't suit our skin even if it says its for our skin type. So I did my research to find out what makes a good moisturiser and what does people in their 20s need for their skin.

A good moisturiser should have (for the age group 20s);

Sun Protection, UVA & UVB filter
Vitamin A, E & C
Shea Butter/ Cocoa Butter/ Macadamia Oil, or others that really hydrates the skin
Ceramide

Although, this Sk:n face cream doesn't have all of above but it does have most of them. The main problem I have with it, is that it doesn't have sun protection but I could just apply an extra layer of sun protection on top.

I've been using it for 2 weeks now and so far so good. I say that because I have sensitive skin and my skin works in a funny way. A moisturiser may seem to work for a couple of weeks but later certain parts of my face will start to have bad reaction with red patches that burns. And so far I haven't had such reactions with this cream, after all it does say it is UK's No. 1 skin clinic so should be good.

Final Pros & Cons:
Pros
Really hydrating
Contains Vitamins that are anti-oxidants; A, C & E
Good packaging- it has a pump which is easy to control.
Small- can easily fit in a travel cosmetic bag.

Cons
Doesn't have sun protection
Has a greasy/ sticky finishing feel
Quite dear- £29 for 30ml only. When I bought it, it was on offer for £19.

What is the best way to apply body lotion?

Do you always try different body lotion to see which one gives you the best result; smooth and silky skin like a baby's skin. You see a new body lotion is out and it says that it is an improved version; saying it keeps yours skin hydrated for more than 24hrs, or an instant hydration. You try it but your skin feels more or less the same as before.

Most of the times it's not the product, its the way you apply the lotion. The best way to apply lotion is straight after shower; not 5 minutes or 10 minutes after shower, straight away- most of you probably do that anyway but....

...don't totally dry your skin. Keep it a little damp, so pat to dry. Don't do it too long because you want to keep your skin warm so the pores are still open. This will ensure the lotion is absorbed properly.

When applying lotion don't put it into your hand and rub your hands together ( I know a lot do that either to warm the lotion up or for an even distribution). Put the lotion directly on your body and sweep it through your skin.

When its all absorb, your skin will be like baby's bum. Silky and smooth, so irresistible. lol. Try it out.

How to get soft skin?

I'm not a beautician or a pro with skin care but  I've read, heard and been told alot so would consider I have a good knowledge about skin care.

What's the secret for men and women in getting soft skin and keeping it in good condition? Have facial regularly? Have facial mask regularly? Use those steamer things? Eat less chocolate? They all make your skin better and softer but they are not the secret. Some of you probably already know this but for those who don't, washing your skin is the secret! Keeping your skin clean is the essential, that means wash your face every day AND night! When you wash your face at night, the next morning you will have really soft skin. As long as you do that, all those facials, masks and other types of treatments are not needed.

In fact if you're in your teens, early and mid 20s there's no need for those treatment at all because your skin is still young and delicate. If your skin gets too used to facial treatments, your skin won't look as good when you stop the treatments. You would need to keep doing that which is quite costly. Just like going to the gym, if you don't got for a while your muscle will go squiggy and loose etc. Even if you have lots of spots you don't need to do those facial treatment. Again, it is washing your face, keeping it clean is the essential! And you use those spot cream. Also, too much scrubbing your face is not too good either. Your pores will expand permanently, which wouldn't look very nice. If you have to scrub, use ones that has tiny sands and not big lumps of sands. Best face wash would be ones that says 'gentle cleanser'. (Beautician's tip in washing your face below)

If you're past mid 20s, then some facial treatment is cool. But I would say keeping your skin clean is still the most important step and then it would be the type of moisturizer and other type of skin products you put on your face.

Another important thing is, if you're wearing make-up, make sure you wash it off before you go to bed. DO NOT go to sleep with your make-up on. You are likely to get spots, which is not something you want to find the next morning, right? When you sleep your pores expands because your body is warm under the duvet which means if the make up is not washed off it will go into your pores and forms spots. Even if you haven't worn make-up, you have sweat and dust on your face which would also goes into your pores while your sleeping.

Of course besides washing your face, moisturizing your skin is also essential. It is always good to put toner on after washing because that will narrow your pores. Then put moisturizer, this applies to day and night. During the day, it is best to have a moisturizer that has at least SPF 15 protection against the sun, 30 would be the best. In terms of the long run, your skin would still look good when you're in your 40s, 50s, or even 60s. This is because we all know that our skin will age quicker if we are under the sun too much. Therefore, when you sunbathe limit it to 15 minutes and wearing at least SPF 15 on your body and 30 on your face.
Beauticians' tips in washing your face:
1) Using your your index and middle finger and rub the cleanser on your face in circular motions. Wash your face from chin to forehead and from forehead to chin.
2) Using coldish but with a hint of warmth water to rinse your face
3) After use cold water to rinse your wash again- this is to narrow the pores.
4) Use a cloth to dry your face- pat your face to dry
5) Gently put toner all over your face using a cotton pad- this is also to narrow the pores.
6) Put moisturizer on- wipe the cream upward motions on your cheeks (prevents/minimize wrinkles), do a T motion on your forehead and nose.