From civet musk (extracted from the animal’s anal glands) to caviar extract, the beauty industry has often used some pretty bizarre ingredients. All in the quest to create the ultimate perfume or skincare product. With their exotic and out-of-the-world ingredients, the following three products rank high on the weird-o-meter.
The Ambergris Effect
Ambergris is one of the most sought-after ingredients in perfumery, fetching anything from $100 000 upwards for 1,5kg of the precious stuff. Contrary to popular belief, ambergris is not sperm whale vomit. It’s a by-product of the sperm whale’s digestive system and is excreted by these creatures. This may float in the ocean for decades before being washed up on the shore in solid form. It then becomes highly prized by perfumers for its musky (some would say fishy) quality.
As it is very expensive and rare, ambergris is not used in perfumes such as Chanel No5 anymore. Ambrox or ambroxan is now widely used in many best-selling fragrances. Christian Dior Sauvage, Versace Dylan Blue, Giorgio Armani Si and Bulgari Aqua Pour Homme Atlantique all owe their character to this synthetic compound.
However, for customers willing to splash their cash, ambergris can still be found in premium perfumes. These include many of the highly rated Creed fragrances such as Aventus.
Ambergris is very distinctive in Creed Millésime Imperial. This EDP was launched in 1995 to mark the Paris-based perfume house’s 150th anniversary as the fragrance of choice by European royalty. It’s somewhat of an acquired smell.
Creed Millésime Imperial EDP, R4 850 for 120ml.
The Snail’s Pace
If I told you that I have used a snail-gel skincare product would you think less of me? Journalistic curiosity got the better of me when I heard that Celltone products contain this ingredient. Apparently snail gel is packed with glycolic acid, allantoin, protein and vitamin E. These are all very useful in the fight against ageing. One might even say they are highly effective in slowing the pace of ageing. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
Now, for the big question? Are any snails harmed in the making of this product? Yes. I used it for two weeks and then felt very guilty about it, even though I had started noticing a tightening of my skin.
Celltone Snail Extract Gel, R399.90 for 50ml, www.celltone.co.za
Meteoritic Impact
Lab Series is one of my favourite male skincare brands. So I was very excited to read about its new high-tech range, Maxellence, which contains meteorite extract. Unfortunately, I was brought down to earth when I found out that this range is not available in South Africa.
Then a friend told me that Anesi Man Secret Serum had just landed in the country. This anti-ageing skincare product from the renowned Spanish spa professional range also utilises meteoritic extract. Talk about sci-fa (science fact).
So why is meteorite extract such a big deal? It’s rich in minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium. This makes it a potent anti-ageing weapon, with deep-penetrating, firming and plumping properties.
I used Anesi Man Secret Serum for a month and enjoyed its light, non-greasy texture. I noticed a definite improvement in the condition of my skin. Was this due to meteorite extract? Or any of this product’s other exotic ingredients (including mineral extracts from precious mineral stones)? While I read up more on that, I must explore Anesi some more.
Anesi Man Secret Serum, R750 for 50ml, www.exclusivebeauty.co.za
I’m fascinated by snail gel…. I suppose it depends on the percentage of it in a product.. Interesting article.
Hello Laura, thanks for reading. After good ol’ aqua, snail gel is next up on the ingredients list. Let me know if you try this product. R
Ugh! Just stepped on a slug. Nearly had an “ambergris” reaction. I would have a problem with the texture of the slug product, I think. Unless, it is more like a lotion or cream and not gooey.
Tee hee! The texture of the Celltone product I tried is definitely gel-like and also slightly brown in colour. So methinks you would avoid this one, Akuokuo. Ambergris is so intriguing and while it is banned for commercial purposes, in countries like the US, it is very much a by-product.
Oh Lord…brown in color…yes, will stay away… 🙂
Love this feature. I recently chatted with Agate from House of Gozdawa and she was telling me how she uses Hyrax faeces (bokiie poo) as a substitute for musk, to get that animalic note in fragrance. As far as the snail extract goes, I just don’t know, hey! Maybe it’s time to give the cream a try. Well done on a really interesting post 🙂
Big thank you, Candice-Lee. Nothing wrong with a bit of wildlife poo to get that musky feel. It’s that, the synthetic variety, or some quite horrific extraction methods. Let me know if you try the Celltone. R
Loved this article and eeek the idea of using snail on my skin does give me the heebies, so haven’t gotten around to being brave! I guess its a bit like drinking coffee from the Civet cat….!!
Glad you enjoyed this read, Cathi, heebies and all. Have not tried the much-hyped civet coffee. Yip, there’s also a not-so-appealing side to that variety. R
I love meat, wear leather shoes and prefer to be prescribed medicine that had been thoroughly tested on rats or monkeys first. I don’t even mind cosmetics to be tested on animals. But I can probably live without perfumes or skincare that is based on animal parts (ambergris is totally fine).
As to the “meteorite extract”… Wow… But if people believe that marketing BS, I think the company should charge twice as much as they do now. It might be not a bad serum in general, but meteorite extract?!!
Thanks for your comments, Undina. We seem to all have our limits on these things. Meteorite extract has become quite trendy. I need to explore the efficacy of this ingredient some more. R