Should you wash YOUR mane with horse shampoo?
...or slather goat’s milk cream and even snail slime on your face? Our guide to the best beastly remedies
ANIMAL-BASED treatments have a long-established role in medicine — maggots can help heal chronic wounds, for example, and leeches play a role in improving blood flow during some operations. Now there are a number of animal-derived products available over the counter that claim to have other benefits. ALICE JAFFE asked Dr Adam Friedmann, a consultant dermatologist, to assess some of the options that claim to improve your skin and hair health. We then rated them.
MARES’ MILK
Equilac Mare’s Milk Capsules, 60 capsules, €43, equilac.com CLAIM: Contains lactoferrin, a protein extracted from mares’ milk, and the maker says they are better than medicated creams such as cortisone ointment at treating psoriasis, eczema and acne. Avoid if you are allergic to horses, lactose-intolerant, have diabetes or are pregnant. EXPERT VERDICT: Research s uggests lactoferrin has some anti-inflammatory benefits and we know that inflammation can cause and worsen symptoms of psoriasis, eczema and acne.
Some small studies have shown that drinking mares’ milk (rather than in powdered form) can reduce severity of atopic dermatitis, where skin becomes red and itchy. However, people with eczema tend to have other allergies, so I would sound a note of caution about trying this. 3/10
GOAT CREAM
Kate Somerville Goat Milk Cream, 50ml, €61, cultbeauty.co.uk CLAIM: Moisturiser contains lactose, from goats’ milk, to ‘soothe and moisturise’; avocado oil and j ojoba f or ‘ hydration and smoothness’; grape seed oil and vitamin E ‘ antioxidants’; a nd milk protein to ease skin inflammation. EXPERT VERDICT: This contains lipophilic, or fat-based, moisturising compounds from both the milk proteins and the plant oils, so it may feel greasy on the skin.
Goats’ milk doesn’t have any special qualities beyond the potential antioxidant properties of any plant or animal extract.
Saying that, grease helps moisturise dry skin and it can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Lactose contains lactic acid, which can help with skin dryness.
I would be concerned about skin reactions in those who are allergic to dairy, lactose-intolerant, or who have sensitive skin — and most dermatologists may suggest a cheaper moisturiser. 5/10
BEEF FAT
Dr Gus Tallow Skin Balm Lavender, 30ml, €9, drgusnutrition. co.uk CLAIM: This ointment is made with oils of lavender, geranium and ylang ylang, as well as tallow — beef or mutton fat. The maker claims that hydrating, antioxidant and anti- inflammatory effects leave the skin rejuvenated. EXPERT VERDICT: There are studies advocating the use of tallow i n s ki ncare because of its hydrating properties.
This balm is an ointment, which means it contains more oil than a cream, and dermatologists tend to prefer ointments as moisturisers because they coat the surface of the skin, preventing moisture from being lost.
Not all patients like the feel, though, because it makes their skin sticky. There is a risk of allergies to both the animal and plant ingredients. A product such as Vaseline (250ml, €2.99, boots.ie) or Epaderm ( 5 0 0 g, €14.99, boots.ie) costs less, is unlikely to cause any skin reaction and would be just as good at trapping moisture. 3/10
SHEEP WOOL
Lanolips 101 Ointment, 17.5ml, €14.99, boots.ie CLAIM: This lip balm uses ‘the world’s best lanolin’, a waxy s ubstance f r om sheep’s wool, to seal in moisture. It can be used on dry skin, cuticles and cracked heels. EXPERT VERDICT: Lanolin is known to be good for the skin and has been used in many moisturising products for a long time. A greasy cream like this can fill in cracks and hydrate, so this product could be as versatile as stated.
But lanolin can be a trigger for allergic skin reactions, causing an i t chy r ed r ash and s o, again, Vaseline may well serve the same purpose. 6/10
COW’S MILK
MooGoo Skin Milk Udder Cream, 120g, €7.12, hollandand barrett.ie CLAIM: This dermatologically tested moisturiser is based on a paste used to treat dairy cows with cracked udders. It has sweet almond and olive oils, aloe vera, vitamin E, and milk protein to ‘increase skin elasticity’. EXPERT VERDICT: The oils, aloe vera, vitamin E and milk protein will provide a level of moisturisation and antioxidants that will reduce inflammation.
I am not aware of any proof that cow’s milk protein can help with skin elasticity. The maker did a study of i ts products on 54 participants, and concluded they did not have irritant potential and were suitable for sensitive skins.
But the study is not published in a peer-reviewed journal. Anyone with a milk allergy or lactose intolerance should be cautious. 4/10
SNAIL SLIME
Dr Organic Snail Gel, 50ml, €26.99, hollandand barrett.ie CLAIM: A gel made with the slime that snails make to regenerate their skin and shell when these get damaged. It is combined with aloe vera to create a product said to soothe sensitive skin and reduce signs of ageing. EXPERT VERDICT: There are a few studies showing that snail slime contains antioxidants that protect skin cells called fibroblasts against damage. Fibroblasts produce collagen, the connective protein that gives skin its fullness, and so protecting them might help the skin look more youthful. However, studies that claim to show improved appearance in human skin are often subjective. It is difficult to know whether it is the aloe vera or the snail slime that’s responsible for benefits. 5/10