Despite the fancy packaging and cost, If consumers knew where some of the ingredients in today's products came from, they might laugh. There may even be a scientific basis for the additive but if the cosmetic really does effectively treat wrinkles, the FDA says it is a drug, not a cosmetic. The latter cannot affect structure or function. What are some of the anti-aging cosmetics being promoted today?
It’s In The Mud
Cleopatra and the Queen of Sheba both reportedly bathed in the Dead Sea to keep their skin looking youthful. An Israeli company, Ahava, now has the rights to make Dead Sea mud products. The salty mud from the lowest sea on earth contains high concentrations of minerals such as magnesium, sodium, phosphate and bromides which Ahava says work together to create a moisturizer that slows the aging process. The cost for mud---$18.00 for 21.16 oz.
Newborn Skin
There are a number of ingredients that are extracted from a newborn’s cells. Histogen Aesthetics of San Diego, CA, is producing ReGenica, the product of newborn fibroblasts that the company keeps in an "embryonic like state" using bioreactors that mimic the embryonic environment. The fibroblasts can then be encouraged to produce the growth factors and antioxidants that make up the product. At an online site, ReGenica costs $150 for 1.5oz. Proteonomix of Mountainside, NJ, has five products in the cosmeceutical line that incorporate tropelastin secreted from human embryonic stem cells. Proteonomix CEO Michael Cohen told CosmeticsDesign.com (a trade site) the inspiration for the products came from the natural glow of women post-conception that is caused by the release of the chemical from embryonic stem cells. Amazon sells Dermalastyl-βx Pro | Face Formula containing tropelastin for $149 a small vial.
Placenta Products
EMK Placental's Anti-Aging Serum claims its botanical products are the bio-equivalent of human placenta extracts. The cost for the Anti-Aging Placental serum is $175 for 15 ml bottle. There are, however, companies in Malaysia and Korea supplying human placental anti-aging serum to cosmetic companies world-wide, although human placenta extracts are restricted or banned in cosmetics in some nations. Prices may vary but there are other unusual cosmetic ingredients. For example:
Snake Venom. Syn-ake is contained in an anti-aging cream produced by Planet Skincare in the UK based on snake venom. Syn-ake mimics the activity of a protein found in Wagler’s pit viper venom, a green snake often called the “Temple viper” because certain religious cults place it in their temples. The Kent-based company says the protein is totally safe and as been “clinically proven to reduce the size of wrinkles.” Planet believes Syn-ake will compete with Botox as a wrinkle-treatment. It is less expensive. An Internet site lists it at $48.50 for 1.7 oz.
Snail Serum
Andes Natural Skin Care of Carson City, Nevada, has launched products-- BioSkinExfol and BioSkinForte-- made from a serum secreted by a small mollusk snail from the Helix Aspersa Muller species. They are microdermabrasion cosmetics. The snails are raised on farms in a protected environment. The company said its research showed that the snail serum has molecules, structures and cells that are very similar to the human skin, making it highly compatible. BioSkinExFol on the Internet: $89 for 4 oz.
Bird Poop
Uguisu no Fun contains nightingale poop that is rich in the amino acid guanine, said to brighten and cleanse skin. In the 18th century, geishas and Kabuki actors used the powder to clean heavy white makeup off their faces. Uric acid in the bird poop is used in many skin conditioners. The Geisha Facial, available at Shizuka New York, is about $180 and uses nightingale excrement.
Bull Semen
Touted as “Viagra for the hair “semen from Aberdeen bulls is used in a well-known British salon, Hari’s. The sperm is combined with the protein-rich root of the Katera plant. The potion is then into the client’s newly shampooed hair. A heat lamp is subsequently used to help the treatment penetrate the hair. The 45-minute treatment ranges from $90-$138. Croatia and Japan reputedly have bull semen hair products on the market but do not call it by its natural name.
Cow Dung
Bath soap, toothpaste, and after-shave lotion are being developed in India using cow dung and urine. The research center, situated at Deolapar, has already won patents from the United States and China for its cow urine distillate. Japanese scientists at the International Medical Center of Japan with Sekisui Chemical Company have successfully extracted a vanilla fragrance from cow dung. Vanillin is often used to scent a range of personal care products - from high-end perfumes, to hair care and skin care formulations. However, in recent years, vanilla beans have become an increasingly difficult commodity to source leading to unstable pricing. The listing of the cow’s cosmetic ingredient will probably not have "dung" in its name.
Ruth Winter - Ruth Winter, MS, The author of 37 popular health books, was past president of The American Society of Journalists and Authors and winner ...
