It has been discovered that snail slime is effective in treating a number of human skin conditions.

The secretion is not found in your common or garden Irish snail, but is sourced from the slime of Chilean snails - such as the Helix Aspera Mller - which it uses to repair cracks in its shell.

Scientific discoveries have revealed that the slime is also effective in repairing damaged or scarred human skin and as a smoothing beauty treatment.

This snail extract has been scientifically tested to help repair acne, scar tissue, burns, stretch marks, to fade liver and age spots, to help smooth out wrinkles and expression lines and to reduce cellulite.

The slime contains allantoine (proven to be a stimulant for skin regeneration, effective for healing, smoothing and anti-irritaition), collagen and elastine (structural proteins that bond skin tissue, nurture skin and improve its appearance; effective for skin repair especially on stretch marks) and vitamins (which contribute to the constant regeneration of skin and have anti-flammatory agents).

It also uses natural antibiotics (protective substances which fight against infection) and glycolic acid (the correct concentration of which gently eliminates superficial dead skin cells and helps to promote their replacement with new cells, also enables cleansing of pilose follicles and favours the absorption of other natural substances contained in the snail extract).

Allegedly, the Greeks first discovered the benefits of snail slime and used it to treat ulcers and whooping cough. More recently, South American snail farmers noticed that their hands were very soft.

The British health supplement provider Holland & Barrett has launched this product in Ireland and Britain. It claims that if the gel is used two to three times daily, it will ‘‘support the skin’s elasticity and leave you with silky soft and smooth skin’’.

The gel is clear, unperfumed and non-greasy. It has a similar consistency to Aloe Vera gel, but doesn’t leave such a tightening sensation on the skin.

Snail Gel is also ideal for those with sensitive skin, as it is completely organic, natural and non-allergenic.

Tasha Morrison had severe scarring on her leg following an accident. One scar was very prominent as a result of several layers of stitching and other ones on her knee were very red.’ ‘If I wore a skirt, people would comment on the knee scars because they were so red,” she says.

She began using De Tuinen Snail Gel a few months ago and after three weeks noticed its healing effects.’ ‘The marks haven’t completely disappeared, but they have faded so much, you’d hardly notice them now,” says Morrison.

Holland & Barrett promises that extracting the slime causes no harm to snails. The creatures live in a ‘free range’ environment.

The slime extraction process involves placing them on muslin-covered wooden planks. As the snail works its way across the material, it leaves a slimy trail behind.

After it reaches the end of the plank, the muslin is removed and the remaining slime easily extracted.

Snail slime joins an increasing list of products available around the world that rely on unusual ingredients such as those found in viper venom, bull’s semen, cow’s colostrum (afterbirth), fish eggs and seaweed.

De Tuinen Snail Gel costs €28.98 for 50ml, available from Holland & Barrett stores nationwide. Visit www.hollandandbarrett.com to find your nearest store or buy the gel online.