Ingredients 101: Snail Mucin - Why You Should Slather Snail Mucin on Your Skin

Learn all about snail mucin in our first ever “Ingredients 101” series, and why you should start adding it to your skin care regimen!

Why snail mucin?

Well, have you ever wondered how snails can crawl amid rocky twigs, sharp rocks and uneven ground without getting hurt? Truth is, they actually do get hurt! But snails are smart creatures, and they’ve come up with a trick to heal fast: By naturally producing a thick fluid made up of proteins, glycolic acid and elastin, also known as snail slime.

Snails were first prescribed in ancient Greece as a topical treatment to reduce inflammation, and they began to crawl their way into creams and essences as Korean beauty pioneered the idea of taking the super healing snail mucin extract and implementing it in skin care.

What does snail mucin do for your skin? Is it really beneficial or just a bunch of goo?

Since snail mucin is still relatively new in the skin care world, the actual science behind these products is still somewhat lacking. However, this does not deter people from trying out and falling in love with snail skin care. All you need is a simple google search to read stories of how snail mucin has drastically changed people’s skin for the better!

What we do know is that snail extract or snail mucin is packed with hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, proteoglycans and copper peptides, all of which are commonly used in beauty products and proven to be beneficial for healing or rebuilding the skin. Plus, it also has anti-microbial properties to fight off acne-causing bacteria! All in all, snail mucin is known for hydrating, repairing skin damage, fighting blemishes, even skin tone, fading acne scars or pigmentation, firm and tighten the skin, and boost elastin and collagen production to slow the signs of ageing to a snail’s pace. Quite the multitasker, aye?

How are snail mucin harvested?

In the past, extraction methods involved cruelly starving the snails, or agitating them by submerging these poor snails in salt water or vinegar. Thankfully, with the advancements of better technology, there are now a variety of more “cruelty-free” ways to extract snail slime. Especially in Korea where animal testing is now illegal, brands like COSRX and Mizon are some examples of leading K-beauty brands that extract snail mucin more ethical ways.

For example, how COSRX extracts snail slime is by simply placing the snails over a mesh net, allowing them to freely roam in a dark and quiet room and leave mucin in their trails. No external stress are applied to these snails, because they believe that optimal mucin production occurs when snails are well-rested and comfortable in their habitat.

What are some of the best K-Beauty products with snail mucin?

1. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: Packed with 96% snail filtrate, this powerful essence has a fast-absorbing, gel texture you can just pat on after toning to make your skin feel hydrated and pampered, among a thousand other skin benefits.

2. Mizon Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule: This supercharged ampoule is perfect for those days when your skin needs an instant pick-me-up, and ASAP results.

3. COSRX Snail 92 All in One Cream: If your skin is always dry, or you're prepping for winter, definitely try snail mucin in moisturiser form. It's insanely hydrating, yet still lightweight at the same time.

4. Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream: Known for its hydrating and do-it-all formula, this snail cream is a bestseller for a reason. If you need some extra boost for the eye area, pick it up in an eye cream version!

5. Benton Snail Bee High Content Mask Pack: Sheet masking is the perfect way to introduce your skin to snail mucin, or give your skin that instant glow! Packed with snail filtrate and bee venom, this sheet mask is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Have you tried snail mucin in your skin care? How was your experience?