5 gross makeup ingredients good for your skin

Have you ever wondered what exactly is in the makeup products you lather on your face?

Get ready to be shocked, disgusted and mortified because the following list will leave you appalled. Here are five of the grossest ingredients in your makeup that are surprisingly good for your skin:

1. Snail slime in creams

Called Helix Aspersa Muller Glycoconjugates in the scientific world, and ‘snail cream’ in the cosmetic world, this snail secretion is the main ingredient used in natural cosmetics.

Yes, that sounds disgusting, but snail slime helps reduce inflammation and redness, stimulate skin regeneration and lock moisture in your skin. It is widely used in facials and skin moisturisers for its plentiful benefits to the skin.

According to dermatologist Dr Gary Goldfaden, “Snail slime contains mucin extract, which is a complex of proteins, glycolic acids and elastin. Mucin is said to have regenerative properties and aid in moisturizing skin.”

2. Bird poop for facials

Not only are bird droppings considered lucky, but they’re also good for your skin.

These lucky charms are Nightingale excrement used in Geisha facials — which features deep cleansing, a hefty price tag and a big scoop of Nightingale droppings.

“The poop contains nitrogen-rich urea and guanine, an amino acid,” says Goldfaden. “Urea helps to bind moisture to the skin, thus making the skin look and feel hydrated.”

3. Sheep grease for lotions

Lanolin — a fatty substance found naturally on sheep’s wool —  is mostly found in lotions, lipsticks and makeup removers because of its soothing and healing properties.

“Studies have shown that the emollient action produced by lanolin is prominent and lasts for hours,” says Smithtown, New York-based dermatologist Dr Marina Peredo.

“Applied directly to the skin, it can reduce roughness and cracking and continued use shows overall increased skin smoothness.”

4. Shark liver oil for moisturisers

Used for centuries as a folk remedy to heal wounds and dietary problems, shark liver oil is still used in today’s world and can be found in sunscreens, lipsticks, moisturisers and eye makeup.

Also known as squalene, this oily organic compound contains moisturising properties and is easily absorbed by the body.

“Because [squalene] mimics our body’s own natural moisturisers, it can rapidly penetrate the skin and is absorbed quickly and completely without any lingering residue,” beauty expert Tricia Chaves toldDiscovery.

5. Infant foreskin for anti-aging creams

Ever wonder what happens to the circumsised skin of a baby? It’s used in skincare products. That’s right.

But they’re only used in high-end products and celebrities like Oprah are known for endorsing it, calling it the fountain of youth. The fibroblast derived from the foreskin helps produce collagen and reduces wrinkles. It can mostly be found in anti-aging creams.

“The foreskin, obtained from circumcisions, promotes new skin growth,”Tim Schmidt, CEO of cosmeticeutical company SkinPro, told Babble.