Korean women are known for their willingness to experiment for the sake of beauty, often causing headlines around the world for their extreme cosmetic daring. The latest beauty trend to hit Korea isnt the most invasive, but it may be the grossest yet.
Korean cosmetics companies are now touting snail guts “as the new heaven-sent ingredient” for skin care. Creams containing large amounts of snail extract have been selling fast in Seoul.
Although Korea is hardly the first market for snail creams -- European cosmetics companies have been selling snail cream for a number of years and a Chilean snail cream hit the market in 1995 -- snail skin-care products have exploded in popularity among Korean women over the past year.
Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream contains 70 percent snail extract, and the company says it pays great attention the quality of that 70 percent. The snails, the same kind that can be found on menus in French restaurants, are fed red ginseng while being raised in Korea in order to ensure quality slime.