In recent years, snail mucin has taken the skincare world by storm, particularly in the realm of Korean skincare. What may have initially sounded like an odd or even off-putting ingredient has proven to be a powerhouse in the pursuit of healthy, glowing skin.
Whether you are looking to combat dryness, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, or fade acne scars, snail mucin offers a unique blend of benefits that make it a versatile addition to any skincare routine. In this guide, we’ll explore the science behind snail mucin, its numerous benefits, and how to effectively incorporate it into your daily regimen for the best results.
What is Snail Mucin?
Snail mucin, also known as snail secretion filtrate, is a popular ingredient in skincare, particularly in K-beauty products. It is a slime-like secretion naturally produced by snails to protect their delicate skin from cuts, bacteria, and UV rays.
It is packed with plenty of skin-loving nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, proteins, and antioxidants. These components contribute to its remarkable ability to hydrate, heal, and rejuvenate the skin.
Skincare products that contain snail mucin often have a slimy and stringy texture! You shouldn’t let that put you off trying out snail skincare products though, as they offer so many great benefits for your skin.
How is Snail Mucin Collected?
Reputable skincare brands ensure ethical sourcing of snail mucin, where snails are unharmed and allowed to secrete mucin naturally. Always check the brand’s sourcing practices if this is a concern for you. Obviously, snail mucin products cannot be considered vegan.
Popular skincare brands like COSRX are still considered to be cruelty-free despite snail mucin skincare being one of their bestsellers, so it is proven that their harvesting methods are not deemed cruel.
Typically, snails are placed on mesh nets, which gathers the mucin they naturally produce as they move about. The snails are unharmed during the process.
Benefits of Snail Mucin Skincare
Using snail secretion filtrate in your skincare routine can offer a range of benefits, including:
Hydrating and Moisturising Skin
Snail mucin is highly effective at attracting and retaining moisture in the skin due to its natural hyaluronic acid content, which helps maintain a plump, dewy complexion.
Helping to Strengthen the Skin Barrier
By boosting hydration, snail mucin helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, protecting it from environmental damage and preventing moisture loss.
Reduces Fine Lines and Wrinkles
The glycolic acid in snail mucin promotes gentle exfoliation and stimulates collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Promotes Skin Elasticity
With regular use, snail mucin can enhance skin elasticity, leading to firmer and more youthful-looking skin.
Soothes Irritated Skin
Snail mucin has anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm irritated skin, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea and eczema.
Promotes Wound Healing
It aids in the repair of damaged tissues, which can accelerate the healing process for minor cuts, wounds, and acne scars.
Acne and Scar Treatment
Snail mucin’s ability to promote gentle exfoliation helps prevent clogged pores, which can reduce the occurrence of acne. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe active acne.
By promoting cell turnover and collagen production, snail mucin can also help diminish the appearance of acne scars over time.
Brightening and Even Skin Tone
Snail mucin can help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation over time, leading to a more even skin tone. This is partly due to its exfoliating properties and its ability to promote cell turnover.
The exfoliating effect of glycolic acid and the hydrating properties of snail mucin can also make the skin appear brighter and more radiant.
Antioxidant Properties
Snail mucin contains antioxidants that help protect the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental factors like pollution and UV radiation. This can reduce signs of ageing and protect the skin from further damage.
Improves Skin Texture
The combination of hydration, gentle exfoliation, and enhanced cell turnover contributes to smoother skin texture, making the skin feel softer and more supple.
Suitable for Most Skin Types
Snail mucin is generally well-tolerated by most skin types, including sensitive skin. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores, making it suitable for those with oily or acne-prone skin.
When to Use Snail Mucin Skincare
Snail mucin is safe for daily use and can be used in the morning & evening. Patch test before your first use.
A skincare routine that incorporates snail mucin products could look like the following:
- Cleanser
Start with a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and impurities. While there are cleansers that contain snail mucin, like the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser, you can just use your favourite cleanser, as most of the benefits of snail mucin are better absorbed in later stages of the skincare routine.
- Toner
After cleansing, use a hydrating toner to balance the skin’s pH and prepare it for better absorption of subsequent products. Look for toners that are alcohol-free to avoid drying out the skin.
- Essence or Serum
This is where snail mucin can shine. Snail mucin essences and serums are highly concentrated and deliver the most potent benefits of the ingredient. Apply a few drops of snail mucin essence or serum to your face and gently pat it in with your fingertips to enhance absorption.
- Moisturiser
Follow up with a moisturiser to lock in the hydration and seal the snail mucin’s benefits into your skin. You can choose a moisturiser that already contains snail mucin or use a different product, depending on your skin’s needs.
- Sunscreen (Morning Routine)
Always finish your morning routine with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. This protects your skin from UV damage, which can counteract the anti-ageing benefits of snail mucin.
How to Use Snail Mucin Skincare
Snail secretion filtrate products can be incorporated into your existing skincare routine and can work alongside other ingredients.
Use the product within your routine as intended (e.g. if it is a cleanser, use first, if it is a cream use last!)
Snail essences can be used before you moisturise.
How to Choose the Right Snail Mucin Product
When selecting a snail mucin product, consider the following factors:
Concentration of Ingredient
Look for products with a high concentration of snail secretion filtrate. Some products list the percentage on the packaging, and a higher percentage typically means more potent effects.
For example, the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains 96% Snail Secretion Filtrate and the Jumiso Snail Mucin 95 + Peptide Facial Essence contains 95%!
Formulation
Check the ingredient list for complementary ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and peptides that enhance snail mucin’s benefits. Avoid products with alcohol, parabens, and artificial fragrances to avoid drying out and irritating skin, which would counteract the benefits snail mucin offers.
Texture
Snail mucin products can vary in texture from lightweight serums to thicker creams. Choose a texture that suits your skin type and preference.
My Recommendations for Snail Skincare
Some of my favourite snail secretion filtrate skincare products include:
- Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence
- Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
- Peach Slices Snail Rescue Toner
- Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream
- Jumiso Snail Mucin 95
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Review
The Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains 96% snail secretion filtrate, offering you all the benefits of snail mucin by hydrating skin, repairing damage, reducing redness and improving texture.
In addition to the snail mucin, the essence contains sodium hyaluronate, panthenol and allantoin, which are all used to enhance hydration and boost elasticity of skin, making this a fantastic essence for those seeking moisture and looking to reduce the signs of ageing.
Like most snail essence products, it has a viscous, slimy, sticky texture, but it does actually sink into my skin pretty fast. It’s nourishing enough that I have been using this as my moisturising stage in my routine before applying SPF.
Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
Normally, skincare with snail mucin in can be a bit sticky and stringy, but the Snail Bee Essence is a lightweight gel texture that sinks in nicely and doesn’t feel sticky at all afterwards. This texture is much appreciated for my oily skin type.
It is super hydrating, soothing and makes my skin feel so soft!
The essence contains Snail Secretion Filtrate to remove dead skin, heal damaged skin and improve skin elasticity. In addition, it has Bee Venom to soothe and protect skin, Aloe Vera to moisturise, nourish, soothe and protect skin. It also includes Niacinamide to brighten skin and Adenosine to boost skin elasticity and refine skin texture.
Peach Slices Snail Rescue Blemish Busting Toner
Blemish busting toner really is the right way to describe this product! While using it, I haven’t had one breakout or blemish in weeks, which is unheard of! When I use this, my skin is the clearest it has been in a long time, so I would recommend this one and would say it is my favourite.
The toner is incredibly gentle and absorbs very quickly. It’s certainly gentle enough to use around the eyes, and it does a fairly decent job of removing make-up residue.
Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream
The Mizon Snail Repair Eye Cream aims to nourish skin around the eyes to reduce signs of ageing, hydrate and improve the appearance of dark circles.
It contains 80% snail mucin to moisturise, nourish and rejuvenate the skin around eyes.
It’s a nice gel cream texture that sinks in really quickly. Usually, skincare with snail mucin tends to be a bit sticky, but this isn’t at all. It has a lovely finish that refreshes skin. Immediately it hydrates and plumps skin, which in turn helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area. Using it also brightens my under eye.
Jumiso Snail Mucin 95
Jumiso Snail Mucin 95 contains 95% Snail Mucin to moisturise, plus 5 types of Peptides to boost elasticity, lift and firm skin, as well as panthenol and allantoin to soothe and hydrate.
It also helps to control sebum, soothe sun damage, improve skin texture and reduce wrinkles.
It is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog pores, making it good for acne-prone and oily skin types.
Like a lot of snail mucin products, it has a slightly stringy and sticky texture, but once it’s on your skin it isn’t too bad. It leaves my skin with a glowy finish, and my skin feels super hydrated, plumped and with more elasticity.
Alternatives to Snail Mucin
If you’d rather not use snail secretion filtrate in your skincare routine, then there are a few products that offer similar benefits (and textures!) without the inclusion of any snail slime!
- Mixsoon Bean Essence
- Vegreen Nature Mucin Serum
- Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Aqua Gel Cream
- COSRX Galactomyces 95 Essence
