Here’s all you need to know about an ingredient derived from a slow creature but has incredibly quick results.
When you first heard of snail mucin, you might be thinking “snail?!”. It had to be figuratively. Well, that was exactly my reaction, I never thought that snail mucin, or anything snail, could be used as a skincare and especially one with amazing benefits. Past the strangeness of the ingredient, it has now become one of the most popular skincare ingredients out there and has even found mass following. However, does the benefits live up to the hype or is it just another fad?
Snail mucin, also known as snail slime or snail secretion filtrate, is essentially snail excretion. No not the slime that you see whenever the snail moves, instead it is the type that is produced whenever the snail is in a stressful situation. It is used by snails as a way to protect themselves in those situations.
Snail mucin first found fame in K-beauty with brands like COSRX and Benton. However, use of snail mucin has been historically shown to have been present since ancient Greece and were often used to aid in healing wounds and reduce inflammation. And it is these 2 reasons why any skincare lovers now bow down to snail mucin.
Benefits
Extremely hydrating
- Snail mucin is often found in moisturizing products as they contain moisturizing agents like hyaluronic acid that help the skin retain moisture, prevent TEWL (transepidermal moisture loss) and protect the skin from pro-irritants in the environment.
Helps with the healing process
- Snail mucin is rich in allantoin and zinc, components that calms irritation, has healing properties and enhances cell regeneration for an improved skin healing process.
- Therefore, snail mucin is a great addition to your skincare regime if you use any active ingredients that boosts cell renewal (retinol/retinoid/hydroxy acids).
Boost collagen
- On top of aiding the healing process, snail mucin also boosts collagen production. Remember that snail mucin is produced due to stress, meaning that it is produced to protect/heal the snail from any injury. Snail mucin contains growth-stimulating properties like glycolic acid that trigger new cell and collagen growth.
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- By boosting the skin’s collagen production, it can contribute to plumper and younger-looking skin by lessening fine lines and wrinkles.
Lightens pigmentation
- Not only helping the skin heal, snail mucin works beyond that helps fade scarring and pigmentation by enhancing the skin’s cell regeneration. Newer skin cells = brighter skin cells.
Highly nutritious
- Snail mucin is filled with skin-loving nutrients like zinc, manganese, copper peptides, as well as antioxidants like vitamins A and E. These all help to support the overall health and vitality of the skin but also protect it.
What to note?
- There aren’t any known side effects of using snail mucin as it is a relatively mild ingredient. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. We recommend people to conduct a patch test 24-48 hours prior, be it with a new ingredient or product.
Products we recommend and where to find them
COSRX
You could almost say that it was COSRX that brought the attention of snail mucin from skincare enthusiast everywhere. Formulated with incredibly high concentrations of snail mucin, ranging from 90% and above. Their snail-inspired products promise to result in more radiant, healthier-looking skin.
Find the full range here.
Benton
Benton is another brand that carries a wide array of products that are enriched with snail mucin. One of the most popular products from them is their Snail Bee High Content Essence which is formulated with snail mucin and bee venom to help hydrate, soothe and plump the skin.
Find the full range here.
Some By Mi Snail Truecica
Some By Mi never does wrong and this time isn’t any different. Some By Mi’s Snail Truecica is truly a miracle for the skin. It is enriched with black snail and their patented truecica that includes a blend of tea tree, centella asiatica and mugwort. This line products works to strengthen your skin barrier, calm irritation and allow the skin to regain its normal function.
Find the full range here.
iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum
This is an anti-aging serum is jam-packed with black-coloured superfoods like 70% black snail extract, black beans, black rice, black sesame, eggplant and kelp. This serum works to deliver antioxidant properties, as well as moisturize and repair damaged skin.
Purito Snail Repair Advance Serum
Like the name suggests, this product helps to rejuvenate stressed, irritated skin and improve dullness by delivering much needed hydration and nutrients. It is enriched with 93% snail mucin and other natural ingredients that helps support the skin’s health.
The idea of actual snail mucin in your skincare may seem off-putting or hard to grasp. However, when you move past that, snail mucin is actually incredible for the skin, especially if you have sensitive, dry or compromised skin that requires that extra boost of nutrients and hydration. Snail mucin is still relatively new, and more research is needed but that doesn’t steer the benefits of snail mucin away. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment down below.
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