BRAGAN SKINCARE
Irish Family Business
As a family-run business, Bragan Skincare has created a range of creams using sustainably and ethically sourced snail mucin to treat irritated and problematic skin naturally and effectively.
Nestled in the drumlins of County Monaghan, Ireland, Kieran ran his snail farm and saw first-hand the positive effects that snail mucin had on his own skin.
This discovery led him to create Bragan Skincare, a natural skincare brand which treats a variety of skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and more.
QUALITY SKINCARE
Snail Cream products have grown in popularity as a proven effective and natural treatment to improve the appearance and health of skin. Naturally rich in hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and allantoin, snail mucin has anti-ageing, soothing and healing properties.
At Bragan Skincare, we’re always working to create gentle yet powerful formulas that help your skin heal, restore balance, and reveal its natural radiance. Every product is developed with care, guided by nature and backed by science, to support real, lasting skin health. Visit our blog to learn more about our story, research, and expert advice for achieving your best skin.
Where it all started:
Hippocrates is considered to be the father of modern medicine because of his books, of which there are more than 70. He described, in a scientific manner, many diseases and their treatments after detailed observation. He lived about 2500 years ago. He was the first scientist to believe that diet, the surrounding environment, and people’s lifestyles contributed to any ailments or diseases that they fell victim to. Prior to that, people thought that illnesses, etc., were punishment from the gods.
Rather than using chemicals, Hippocrates set about using nature as his pharmacy by using snails and snail slime to treat skin imperfections. We are proud to follow in his footsteps and revert back to what nature provides.
A family-run business, Bragan Skincare has created a range of creams using snail mucin to treat problematic skin naturally and effectively. Nestled in the drumlins of County Monaghan, Ireland, Kieran ran his snail farm and saw first-hand the positive effects that snail mucin had on his own skin.
Extensive research has revealed the benefits of snail mucin (snail secretion) on the skin. Following his research about all thing’s snail, Kieran created sample products and began reaching out to local volunteers.
Volunteers with a range of ages and skin conditions tested the sample creams. The cream proved to be extremely beneficial, providing much-needed treatment and relief for those with skin conditions such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis and many others.
After a 2-year search, Kieran managed to find a company in Italy that was prepared to come on the journey with him, and the first commercial product was launched in July 2022. Since then, we have helped thousands of people of all ages, from 3 weeks old to those in their nineties.
We continue to develop new products using the healing capabilities of snail mucin, and we intend to help thousands more using the naturally provided snail mucin that is farmed in Co Monaghan, Ireland.
Kieran at the Snail Farm
Snail mucin, also known as snail secretion filtrate, is a powerhouse of beneficial ingredients for the skin. Each component offers unique properties that contribute to its overall effectiveness in skincare.
The following are the key components of snail mucin, along with their respective benefits:
1. Hyaluronic Acid:
- Benefit: Hydration.
- Function: Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. This helps keep the skin hydrated, plump, and smooth, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Glycolic Acid:
- Benefits: exfoliation and regeneration.
- Function: Glycolic acid is an alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that gently exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover. This results in a brighter, more even complexion and helps reduce the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation.
3. Allantoin:
- Benefits: healing and soothing.
- Function: Allantoin is known for its healing properties. It promotes cell proliferation and regeneration, helping to repair damaged skin and reduce irritation. It also has a soothing effect, which is beneficial for sensitive or inflamed skin.
4. Proteins and Peptides:
- Benefits: firming and anti-ageing.
- Function: These components help to improve skin elasticity and firmness. Peptides can stimulate collagen production, which is essential for maintaining the skin’s structural integrity and reducing the signs of ageing.
5. Antioxidants:
- Benefit:
- Function: Antioxidants help to neutralise free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can damage skin cells and accelerate ageing. By protecting the skin from oxidative stress, antioxidants help maintain a youthful appearance.
6. Antimicrobial Properties:
- Benefit: Preventing infections.
- Function: Snail mucin has natural antimicrobial properties that help protect the skin from bacterial infections. People with conditions like acne or atopic dermatitis, which compromise the skin barrier, particularly benefit from the numerous components of snail mucin.
In summary:
Snail mucin’s unique combination of hydrating, exfoliating, healing, firming, and protective properties makes it an exceptional ingredient for skincare. Whether you are looking to hydrate dry skin, heal damaged areas, reduce signs of ageing, or protect against environmental stressors, snail mucin offers comprehensive benefits that can enhance your skin’s health and appearance. For a more recent study on the benefits of snail slime, please read the following: Snails and Skin by the Journal of Ingegrative Dermatolgy
Our Story
In 2019, while driving home from work, Kieran (our beloved leader) was listening to the radio when a section about snail farming caught his interest. He spent some time researching the subject and enrolled in several online courses to learn more.
With the arrival of lockdown, Kieran invested weeks or months into his new-found fascination and was soon on the road to setting up his snail farm. He started with 50,000 breeder snails, which he sourced from a farmer in Co. Carlow. Over a period of time, these “breeder snails” done exactly that, and at this stage, there are over 1 million snails on the farm.
After a period of time working with the snails, he noticed that the blemishes that were on his arms and hands after 50 years of life’s adventures had almost disappeared. Kieran and his wife (Marion) started to make potions and lotions on their kitchen table. One of the first guinea pigs was their daughter’s boyfriend (how could he refuse?) who suffered from severe psoriasis on his arms. He would always wear a long-sleeved shirt, even on the hottest days of summer, to cover the condition. After about 4 weeks of using our kitchen prototype, the psoriasis was virtually gone.
Friends, family, and neighbours were persuaded (or threatened) to try this new concoction, and soon many more stories of unbelievable healing were being reported. Word spread, and soon strangers were calling to the door looking for “The Snail Man” and some of the “snail stuff” in typical Monaghan brogue.
Babies’, who had tried absolutely everything from dermatologists, chemists, doctors, and cures, were clearing up eczema after using our product for as little as 5 days. Older ladies who were suffering from stretch marks after shingles were able to move again after using our product.
There’s a lot more to our story. We are only getting started.
