Wangui Waweru is the proprietor of Golden Snail Farm in Nakuru County dealing in rearing and breeding of snails.
Other than selling snail meat, the businesswoman also makes skin products such as serum and soaps using snail slime.
But what are the benefits of using snail products? In this article WoK highlights the benefits of using snail products.
Snail beauty products
Apart from selling snail meat, Wangui also produces skin care products made from snails trading under the name Golden Snail Organics.
She also produces serum from snail slime and soaps.
In an exclusive sit-down interview with WoK, Wangui noted that she followed all the due processes before introducing her products to the market.
“I had to do analysis and I even had to chafe one product because somehow I felt it wasn’t the right product for people,” she said.
She did her research and submitted her products for approval by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) who gave her the green light to sell her products.
Following the approval, she went into production and packaging.
“It has to be packaged nicely in a glass bottle because it keeps the product according to its shelf-life. The plastic containers somehow interferes with the product,” Wangui said.
Wangui noted that she must also indicate the manufacture or and the expiry date on the package before being sold.
Benefits of using snail products
Wangui produces soaps in different flavors, including aloe vera, cucumber, turmeric which is used to brighten the skin and coal which is recommended for people with acne.
The skin products are made with glycerin, snail slime and aloe vera, and another product made with just aloe vera and snail slime.
Using snail products helps the skin to hydrate, prevent ageing, treating dry skin and stretch marks.
It also helps stimulate the formation of collagen and elastin, protects the skin from free radicals, soothes the skin, repairs damaged tissues and restores hydration.
On the other hand, soaps made from snails moisturizes the skin, helps to stimulate collagen production and diminish fine lines and wrinkles.
Kibuka Robi Scholar is an eater and a user of snail products, holding the belief that snails helps in brain development.
“I always wanted to taste snails because I’d see people me eating them… for me it tasted delicious and it’s just like any other food only that its cooked in a different way,” she said.
She also uses snail serum and the turmeric soap on her skin.
“The turmeric soap for example helps to brighten the skin and remove dark spots especially on the face. I use it on the face but you can also use on the entire body,” Scholar said.