Snail Mucin: Worth The Hype or Just Another TikTok Trend?
Snail mucin in skincare is having a moment - again! It has been a staple of Korean skincare for years and it is enjoying a viral renaissance thanks to TikTok - and I am all for it!
What is snail mucin?
Snail mucin is the clear, well, slime that snails secrete when they move to protect themselves from the ground. It is collected from snails, filtered and sanitized before being used as a skincare ingredient.
Turns out this fluid contains many nutrients that are great for our skin - from hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, to ones that help keep skin resilient, like proteoglycans, copper peptides and elastin, which helps stimulate collagen production and helps keep skin firm.
Snail mucin can also help reduce inflammation and puffiness in skin and is anti bacterial, which can assist with breakouts and supports a healthy skin barrier. And it is great for softening skin and reducing the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
It’s a real multi-tasker!
What are the best snail mucin products?
Some of the most popular snail mucin products are from COSRX - the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and the Advanced Snail 92 All in One cream. In fact, they are a powerful combo to bring on the glow!
Just apply a few (slimy) drops of the essence on to cleansed skin and pat in to aid absorption. You will instantly see how hydrating it is and how it helps your skin retain moisture.
Then apply a dab of the Advanced Snail 92 cream onto skin - it will lock in the essence glow as well as smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
Need some wrinkle-smoothing love for your around your eyes? COSRX also has the Snail Mucin Peptide Eye Cream from the same line as the essence and moisturizer. Or try them all in the COSRX mini set!
Other brands are in on the snail mucin secret - try the luxe Beauty of Joseon Revive serum - alone or as part of the Hanbang gift set. It works wonders for mature or dry skin.
Or try the hugely popular I'm From Honey mask which hydrates and softens skin Its a honey of a product! (groan).
All in all, snail mucin is here to stay in Korean skincare and is widely praised for its ability to give our skin a hydrating glow. Every effort is made to ensure snail mucin is extracted humanely at snail farms where snails may also be raised for food. Skincare brands like COSRX and Beauty of Joseon are cruelty-free although not vegan.
So give it snail mucin a try and see what all the (viral) fuss is about!
Sincerely,
Sharon Lee xxxxoooo