Slap on some snail slime to turn back the time

IF you really hate your wrinkles, try slapping on some snail slime.

As well as keeping skin silky smooth and soothed, it is also effective at treating acne, scars and stretch marks and comes in a jar.

It was only by chance that the snail extract was discovered as nature’s solution to a host of skincare problems.

In 1980, a student doctor working on a snail farm in Chile noticed their fluids helped to heal cuts on the hands of cage carriers.

Laboratory studies show snail dribble contains a combination of naturally occurring glycolic acid, allantoine, elastane, vitamins and collagen.

Holland and Barrett’s De Tuinen Snail Gel, now available in Ireland, whipped up a storm when it went on sale in the Netherlands.

“There was very little promotion of the product in the Netherlands but it quickly became an excellent seller as news of the product spread by word of mouth,” said Holland and Barrett spokesperson Parminda Kaur.

Ms Kaur said the gel was also excellent for sensitive skin as it is all organic, natural and non-allergenic.

And, just in case you were worried — collecting the slime does not harm the snails.

“The snails are put onto glass and obviously slide across it. And, as they move from one sheet of glass to another, the slime is collected,” she explained.

Ms Kaur also believes people in Ireland will not be put off from buying what is basically snail slime in a pot.

“The snails are lovely, healthy animals who just carry on doing what they do.

“You never hear of snail disease because everything they eat is green. I do not think people will be put off at all."