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These Venom-Infused Skin Products Work (Almost) as Well as Botox

Not ready to go under the needle? Consider bee and snail venom your new BFFs in the fight against wrinkles
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The buzziest new ingredients in skin care: Bee and snail venom, or "Botox in a bottle." These ingredients are said to reduce lines and wrinkles by pulling a fast one on your skin by fooling it into thinking it's been stung, which increases collagen and blood circulation to the area where it's applied.

"It helps on both dermal and epidermal levels to reduce fine lines and wrinkles through accelerated cell regeneration and an increase in epidermal growth factor (EGF) production, helping to increase skin elasticity," says Dr. Mona Gohara, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, member of the Skin of Color Society and clinical faculty at Yale New Haven Hospital.

Don't worry: No bees or snails were harmed in the making of these products. "The price of bee venom can often be more expensive than gold, because the cruelty-free, eco-friendly process of venom collection requires many resources and advanced technologies," says Venofye product developer Natalie Zinder.

Bee venom is often harvested by a weak electrical current passed through a special type of glass -- when the bee feels the current, it stings the glass, leaving behind venom but keeping it's stinger and flying away safe and sound. And cone snail venom used in skin care is created synthetically.

However, Dr. Jeanine Downie, of Image Dermatology in New Jersey, warns that anyone with a bee sting allergy should not use these products. Additionally, people with a sensitivity to hyaluronidase (a protein enzyme) should not use bee venom, as they cross-react, she adds.

Bee-allergy free? Keep reading to see the best venom-infused products that will make your skin look more youthful, radiant and gorgeous.

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Fight Blemishes and Wrinkles With Bee Venom
Sometimes, you end up fighting wrinkles and acne at the same time (life can be unfair like that). That's where Manuka Doctor ApiClear Skin Serum, $42.95, comes in.

We're enamored with this particular serum because it says "Bye, Felicia" to both acne and fine lines. It contains a blend of antibacterial ingredients (Manuka honey, purified bee venom and royal jelly), along with hyaluronic acid and Roman chamomile extract, to hydrate skin, target pesky blemishes and firm skin. Gohara says that in a recent clinical trial conducted on this serum, they saw significant acne reduction on volunteers in three weeks. According to Gohara, bee venom has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it an effective alternative to antibiotic therapy for acne. The entire Manuka Doctor line is available at CVS.

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Zap Eye Wrinkles and Dark Circles
Rodial Bee Venom Eye, $140, contains a potent blend of bee venom, plant stem cells and melittin peptide. Bee venom stimulates circulation and plumps up wrinkles, making sunken-in zombie eyes look alive (and younger). The other superstar ingredients work with the venom to zap dark circles.

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A Snail Serum That Works Superfast
Newsflash: Snails have venom. And it may be the Botox alternative you've been waiting for. The cone snail venom you'll find in Erasa XEP-30, $160, is a synthetic blend that mimics the paralyzing effects of the venom cone snails secrete. That, combined with collagen-building whey protein and inflammation-reducing galabridin, help this superhero product to relax and fill in wrinkles, and make skin more elastic and even-toned.

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A Peel Fit for a Queen
Want a better anti-aging peel? Put venom in it. That's exactly what the people at Venofye did when they created their Queen Bee Facial Peeling, $175. You apply the bee venom-packed formula to dry skin, massage it in with circular motions and rinse with warm water for an effective, age-defying peel you can do from the comfort of your home (preferably while finally catching up on "Making a Murderer.") The result: Supple, more youthful skin.

"Experts believe that bee venom works by encouraging the production of elastin and collagen, thereby reversing the adverse effects of aging ... The unique product formulations in the Venofye lines pair bee venom with other high-quality skin care ingredients to give you a luxurious experience that helps reduce signs of aging," adds Zinder.

BY ALLIE FLINN | FEB 29, 2016 | SHARES
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