Snake venom face cream becomes best-seller in battle against wrinkles

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The makers of Planet Skincare anti-ageing daily moisturiser claim their synthesised viper venom 'stuns' the skin in the same way a real snake bite would, helping to keep it smooth.

They say it gives 'Botox-like results' without needles. It went on sale in Selfridges last week and is selling at the rate of 50 pots a day. Staff say it is their best-selling premium skincare product.

Planet Skincare anti-ageing daily moisturiser (left) contains a synthetic version of snake venom from the Temple Viper (right) which stops wrinkles forming

The key ingredient is a synthetic version of the poison of the Temple Viper, a snake common in Thailand.

Amino acids in the venom block nerve signals telling muscles to contract, which helps to stop wrinkles forming.

Christine Benson, of Selfridges beauty, said: 'Products containing snake venom have been used for a few months now in the US, actresses especially love the effect.

'Unlike Botox it allows the face movement and emotion, but lessens wrinkles and paralyses muscles which cause creases.'

Dr Aamer Khan, medical director of the Harley Street Medical Skin Clinic, said: 'This could work for somebody who doesn't want injections.

'The effects are not going to be as dramatic as with Botox. It will also need to be reapplied as the body gets rid of it quickly.'

Dr Dominic Williams, an expert on pharmacology at Liverpool University, said: 'This product may have an effect but would need to be used frequently.'

Each 30ml pot should last about a month. The moisturiser is not the first time snake venom has been used as a beauty treatment. Lip Venom, by Du Wop, is a lip gloss which uses venom and is said to plump out the lips.