Snake venom as budget Botox?

A new cream claims to smooth wrinkles using a synthetic form of the poison produced by Asian temple viper snakes.

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.

Tests show that twice-daily application of the cream for four weeks may reduce the appearance of wrinkles by 52%.

Other products containing Syn-Ake  are popular with Hollywood stars including Gwyneth Paltrow and Hilary Swank.

The new moisturiser will be stocked in Aldi stores from April 20. A 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.”

Read more: Snake venom: the budget alternative to Botox?