Your common Qs about this mysterious skin care ingredient? answered!
Recently, we asked our babes on Instagram to submit any questions they have regarding the ever-so-popular snail mucin. Today, we?ll be answering some of the most common FAQs about this slimy ingredient!
What?s snail mucin actually?
Snail mucin, also known as snail slime or snail secretion filtrate, is a thick fluid made up of proteins, glycolic acid and elastin naturally produced by snails! Learn more about this ingredient in our Ingredients 101 series!
What skin care benefits can I get from using skin care with snail mucin?
Too many to count! 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.
Can I use snail mucin on my oily/ dry/ combination/ normal/ sensitive skin?
Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes! Snail mucin is suitable to use for any skin types.
Will snail mucin worsen my acne?
No! In fact, it will do the exact opposite. This lightweight ingredient won?t clog up pores, and has healing and antimicrobial properties to help speed up the acne healing process. Because it contains the regenerating glycolic acid, it?s also an effective acne scar, uneven skin tone and pigmentation treatment. Check out some of these amazing before/ afters of the Some By Mi Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Serum!
How frequently can I use snail mucin?
Read and follow the direction of each individual product. Generally, you can use it as frequently as you want to!
Can I use snail mucin together with active ingredients like Vitamin C, Retinol, AHA or BHA in a routine?
Yes, you definitely can! Snail mucin is a gentle humectant and has healing properties, so it?s especially great to layer or mix with strong or drying ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs.
How are snail mucin sourced? Are any snails harmed during the process?
Thankfully, with the advancements of better technology, snails do not have to be harmed in the process. For example, COSRX extracts snail slime by simply placing the snails over a mesh net, allowing them to freely roam in a dark and quiet room for 30 minutes 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. After that, the snails are taken back home to rest.
What are some of the best snail mucin products?
If you?re looking for a snail essence with minimal ingredients to help you get hooked on K-Beauty and all things snail mucin, look out for the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence.
Snail mucin is also quite common in creams or moisturisers! The Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream contains 70% snail mucin extract, known for its repairing and healing properties that can benefit all skin types, especially dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin. If you?re looking for something to soothe and calm irritated skin, the Jumiso Have a Good Cream Snail & Centella is another great moisturiser made with snail mucin and centella asiatica.
Related article: Ingredients 101: Centella Asiatica
Our newly curated Dewytree products are also formulated by snail mucin to nourish, protect and repair the skin. Consisting of a toner, serum and emulsion, you can build your own simple yet multitasking snail-powered skin care routine!
Do you have a favourite snail mucin product? Share them with us!
