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Fragments of volcanic scoria are used in masks and facial scrubs. They can help remove impurities from the skin.
Horse fat is a great moisturizer and can help regenerate damaged skin. This ingredient is more popular in Asian countries such as South Korea.
Diatomaceous earth is a sediment powder obtained from dead algae or plankton. It contains a number of minerals that can be beneficial for the skin.
Tallow is a type of animal fat, often obtained from cattle and sheep. It's a source of linoleic acid, which can help reduce inflammation of the skin.
Breast milk is packed with proteins, good fats, and antioxidants, all of which have great anti-aging properties. It's referred to as "liquid gold" by skincare experts and some brands are incorporating it into special lines of their products.
Different plastics are used in cosmetics, including Ppolytetrafluoroethylene aka PTFE, or Teflon (like the one in your non-stick pan). Microbeads of plastic are sometimes used as exfoliants in skincare products.
Astaxanthin, a pigment found in red algae, has a powerful antioxidant effect and can also protect the skin from harmful UV rays.
Snake venom has a similar effect to Botox and it's used to prevent wrinkles.
Silk extracts are used in both skin and hair products. Hydrolyzed silk in particular is found in hair care products.
Ambergris, which is essentially sperm whales' vomit, is a sold waxy substance used in perfumes.
The use of mink oil in cosmetics goes back a few decades. It contains palmitoleic acid, which helps moisturize, soften, and protect the skin.
Bull semen, or bovine seminal plasma, is used in hair treatments because of its proteins, hormones, and other useful biomolecules.
Bone marrow is packed with collagen and glucosamine, which are popular ingredients in a number of beauty products.
Urea is commonly used as a fertilizer. A source of urea is guano aka bird poop. Urea is not only a great moisturizer but also has an exfoliant effect.
Yeast is not just used for making bread. Beta-glucan, extracted from yeast, is a great moisturizer. Fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) in yeast extract are also great for the skin.
Charcoal works great in absorbing toxins and impurities from the skin.
Placentas are packed with ingredients that are great for the skin and hair. These include collagen, elastin, and vitamin E, to name a few. The industry mostly uses sheep placenta.
Capsaicin, a chili pepper extract, promotes blood flow, and as such, it's used in some hair and skincare products.
This succulent flowering plant can retain a lot of water, making it a good ingredient to boost skin hydration.
Sources: (Harper's Bazaar) (Elle) (Listverse) (Dermstore) (Treehugger)
Fish scales naturally reflect light, so they are crushed and included in some beauty products to produce the same shimmer effect. Guanine is the name of the protein extracted from fish scales.
Cochineal insects are a source of carmine, which is a natural red dye used in a number of products, including lipsticks and eye shadow.
Salmon egg enzymes have great exfoliating properties. Salmon proteins and peptides are also added to anti-aging products.
Believe it or not, diamonds are used in the cosmetic industry. The brand Lancer's eye contour lifting cream uses diamond powder, which apparently softens wrinkles and dark shadows through photoluminescence.
Porcine collagen is similar to human collagen, making it a great product to provide elasticity to the skin and strengthen it.
Fibroblast cells are extracted from tissue obtained from the circumcisions of infants and used in products. Nutrients such as fibroblasts and cytokines promote skin healing and rejuvenation.
The proteins and peptides found in bee venom are said to do wonders for blood circulation and stimulate collagen production
Lanolin, a product secreted by sheep sebaceous glands, is used in products for dry and itchy skin. Lanolin, also known as wool wax or wool grease, traps moisture under the skin and helps it heal.
Snail mucus, or slime, was all the range a few years ago, but its use actually goes back thousands of years. The slime can help wounds heal and works great in hydrating the skin.
Ostrich egg yolks have antimicrobial properties, making them a useful product against some skin conditions, including acne.
Caffeine is a natural stimulant that is commonly used in beauty products. From shampoos to anti-cellulite creams, caffeine's antioxidant and diuretic properties are widely used in the cosmetic industry.
Beauty industry trends come and go, and the pressure to innovate and develop the next big thing is intense. A wide range of ingredients are used in both skin and hair care, and while we now steer away from dangerous beauty practices, there are still a few ingredients that raise an eyebrow.
It turns out that there are a lot of animal and synthetic products used in cosmetics that some of us may not be aware of. In this gallery, you'll get to know some of the most bizarre ingredients used in the beauty industry.
Bizarre ingredients found in beauty products
From bird poop to breast milk
HEALTH Cosmetics
Beauty industry trends come and go, and the pressure to innovate and develop the next big thing is intense. A wide range of ingredients are used in both skin and hair care, and while we now steer away from dangerous beauty practices, there are still a few ingredients that raise an eyebrow.
It turns out that there are a lot of animal and synthetic products used in cosmetics that some of us may not be aware of. In this gallery, you'll get to know some of the most bizarre ingredients used in the beauty industry.