THE SNAIL PROVES ITS RESEARCH WITH MILLE AGATHE
At Mlle Agathe, the snail is serious business. To prove the effectiveness of our products, as well as our process for harvesting and extracting the slime, we have carried out several series of scientific studies in partnership with the Museum of Natural History in Paris and the University of Rouen. . And guess what, while searching we found!
Fabrice Pierron, our founder tells us about these discoveries which changed the face of the snail. And maybe yours...
Why did Miss Agathe seek to conduct scientific studies? How did the project come about?
FP When we formulated our products, we knew that the snail slime we used contained several virtues. For example, for one of our latest products, the 93% snail slime serum, appreciated for its anti-aging properties, we wanted to make sure we knew the proteins naturally present in this product.
Other studies have been carried out on the presence of proteins, but we have made it a point of honor to have our own data on our own slime extract. The first idea was to ensure that the proteins, such as collagen and elastin that we were looking for were present in our snail slime. Also, the second thing we wanted to check when we started the early research was that hand-harvested mucus was higher in protein. This is a fact that we had observed, but we had no proof validated by science! Indeed, we are the only ones to harvest by hand and treat our snail slime with a low cold pressure process. So we wanted to validate this hypothesis, like our way of working with the snail while respecting the animal, without torturing it to recover its slime. And as often, not to say all the time, the more we take into account the animal and its well-being, the better what it gives you!
What were the studies carried out by Miss Agathe?
FP We conducted two types of studies. First, we did mass spectrometry, that is, we used a super-powered microscope to identify the proteins present. Then, we resorted to chromatography to enable us to quantify the proteins present.
Have other similar studies already been carried out?
FP The literature on the subject is quite dense! Many studies have been produced on mucus as part of the treatment of certain medical pathologies, such as certain cancers, Alzheimer's, or even a surgical glue, which like snail slime, continues to stick even in a humid environment.
Why did you choose to conduct them with these institutions?
FP We chose the Natural History Museum for the size and prestige of the institution. But above all, we wanted to choose people who were specialists in their subjects. On the Natural History Museum side, we worked with Arul Marie, whose expertise focuses on molluscs. At the University of Rouen, we collaborated with specialists in cosmetic active ingredients.
What were the results ? Are there any highlights?
FP Of course, we asked ourselves the question, are we going to have the desired result? It is never obvious! In the end, we found over a hundred proteins. Then, all these results were put into perspective with databases. 1st result: the mucus harvested by hand turned out to be very rich in protein. Out of more than 100 proteins discovered to date, around 30 have been identified. And, striking fact, on our first study, when we identified a protein: it had a direct relationship with the skin, or with the immune system of the skin, or with the collagens of the skin. The second study that we conducted confirmed us. Thanks to chromatography, we were able to identify hemocyanin, a cellular regenerator and actin, a healing agent. We now know that these are the two major proteins in snail slime. Which means that this research supports the hypotheses of Hippocrates at the time. Like what, without mass spectrometry, without hyper powerful machines, they had already solved the mystery on these two essential pieces of information.
In addition to that, icing on the cake, we discovered vitamin D and it is undoubtedly our biggest advance. Normally, only the skin manufactures its vitamin D. There, we discovered vitamin D which would be bio-assimilable for the skin. Unpublished!
How do the results of these studies legitimize the effectiveness of Mlle Agathe's products?
FP When we talk about collagen or elastin in our products, in reality, we really found them! Whether you buy our purifying gel for acne-prone skin containing 65% snail slime extract, or even our elixir for atopic skin composed of 62% snail slime extract, this completely legitimizes their formulation, as well as our extraction processes. What we have also been able to understand with the studies carried out is that these proteins have the right size to pass the skin barrier. Conclusion, we are sure today that our mucus is rich in proteins and that these bring many benefits to the skin.
Is there an anecdote that comes to mind? FP I was impressed when I went to the laboratory of the Museum of Natural History which is right next to the museum. We walk very close to where Pierre and Marie Curie worked. We have this curious impression of traveling in time...
Will Miss Agathe repeat the experience? FP We are on a new study coming soon...
