A new cream, Lacura Wrinkle Stop, claims to smooth wrinkles using a synthetic form of the poison produced by Asian temple viper snakes. The Lacura claim is that it works as well as Botox. However, unlike Botox which is injected into the skin, Wrinkle Stop is applied topically.

The tubes of Lacura Wrinkle Stop contain a compound called Syn-Ake, which mimics the snake’s paralysing venom. It promises to block the nerve signals which cause facial muscles to contract and can lead to lines. A company spokesman said: “It offers the perfect solution for wrinkle reduction without the need for spending an excessive amount of money on expensive products and painful procedures.”

Hollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow is said to be a patron of the cream.


Tests show that twice-daily application of the cream for four weeks may reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 52%. But many beauty experts are critical. They say the data presented is incomplete and not useful for drawing conclusions. For example, the placebo that Syn-ake was compared to was not determined and there was no proof it penetrated to lower layers of the dermis where it can be effective. Also it was not determined how many subjects were tested and if it was blind testing.

The critics determined that there is no credible evidence that this works as well as Botox no matter how much or how often you use it. And from a personal perspective, Botox reduces the appearance of wrinkles by 100%, not 52%, so even if the claim is true, Syn-Ake is no Botox.

Lacura Wrinkle Stop is said to have hit the ALDI stores on April 20th for a budget friendly $8.99.

Olive Oil! That's right. I have used it on every inch of my body, including my hair. I first discovered the miracles of olive oil in my early twenties when I used it on my hair. I had been hearing about all of the fabulous health benefits of it in your diet, so I thought if it's so good for our insides, it should be beneficial to a healthier outside. At this point in my life I had stopped coloring my hair and was trying to grow it long, which isn't easy for my fine, thin hair. First microwave the oil so it's warm. Then I would saturate my dry hair with olive oil before bed time, put on a shower cap and rinse it out the next morning. It washes right out. I did this for about a few months and people who had not seen me in awhile ALL commented on how good my hair looked. I have maintained my olive oil hair treatment about twice a year, and my thin hair is to the middle of my back and looks healthy and shiny. I attribute this to the olive oil.

I also use olive oil as a anti-oxidant rich moisturizer for my face and body. If you have oily skin, I wouldn't use it on your face, but don't skip the lips, the oil keeps them looking fabulous in every possible way. For a great hand or foot treatment, rub them in olive oil and stick a bag over them overnight, when you wake up your skin will feel brand new.

When you are pinching pennies, you can still keep your skin and hair looking fabulous with olive oil. I use it even when I'm not pinching pennies.