The Slimy Benefits of Snail Mucin for Skin

From revitalizing damaged skin and boosting life into aging complexions to its soothing and brightening properties, snail mucin for skin is a popular skincare ingredient that has been used in serums and moisturizers thanks to its many benefits. 

But is snail mucin really a flop or a must-try ingredient? Let us unwrap everything you need to know about this goodie before including it in your skincare routine. 

What does snail mucin do?

Mucin, for the uninitiated, is a slimy substance secreted by snails. And yes, before you ask, snail mucin is exactly what it sounds like: snot from a snail. Ew. So why would anyone want to put snail snot on their face? Well, even though this definition may not be the most appealing one, this ingredient has become one of the most popular in the K-beauty industry thanks to its oh-so-mighty benefits. 

Snail mucin is known for its ability to hydrate and nourish the skin, as well as help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It can also help to brighten the skin and even out skin tone. And, if that wasn’t enough, the mucin is thought to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to keep blemishes at bay. 

So if you're looking for a skincare product that can help you achieve radiant, glowing skin, snail mucin is definitely worth considering.

Pros & Cons of using snail mucin

Pros

• Snail mucin is packed with hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing agent that binds water from the environment to deeply hydrate the skin and soothe the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 
• The mucin is also rich in glycolic acid, a gentle exfoliator that peels away dead skin cells to reveal a brighter complexion.
• It has healing and soothing properties, so it is ideal for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin

Cons

• Like every other skincare ingredient, snail mucin for skin can cause allergic reactions, so you should perform a patch test on your arms before applying it to your face. 

Snail Mucin Ingredient specifications

Clean

Snail mucin for skin is considered a safe and clean ingredient for skincare products and cosmetics. 

Vegan

Since it is an animal by-product, snail mucin is not labeled as “vegan-friendly”. 

Pregnancy safe

The benefits of snail mucin can do wonders for pregnant women and the good news is that it is totally safe! So you can include snail mucin products in your skincare routine!

Breastfeeding safe

Snail mucin doesn’t penetrate the bloodstream, so you can use it while breastfeeding without worrying about damaging your little bun. 

Active ingredient

Thanks to the benefits of snail mucin for the skin, the ingredient is often formulated as an active ingredient in creams, serums, and face masks.

Comedogenic

Snail mucin for skin is not considered a comedogenic ingredient, so it won’t clog your pores and cause acne breakouts. 

EWG (Environment Working Group) Score 

The EWG considers snail mucin for skin to be a safe, non-irritant, and with low possibility to cause allergic reactions, so it has a score of 1 

CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Rating: A

After careful consideration, the CIR concluded that snail mucin is a safe ingredient to use in skincare and cosmetic products. 

PRECAUTIONS: Things to know before using this ingredient 

Here are some do’s and don’ts of snail mucin for skin you should bear in mind

When to use snail mucin products?

Snail mucin can be used once or twice a day, however, it is important that you read the product’s label to check how to use it and how many times can you apply it. 

What skin type is snail mucin good for?

Snail mucin can be used in all skin types, however, it is especially awesome for people with dry/dehydrated or damaged skin that have aging skincare concerns. 

What you can’t mix with snail mucin?

The research on this question is limited, nonetheless, most skincare experts consider that snail mucin can interact with other ingredients without causing irritation, dryness, or pimples. In fact, this goodie makes an amazing cocktail with ingredients like retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid. 

Best snail mucin products

Bestsellers

1. Iunik Black Snail Restore Cream 
2. Repair Serum: Ginseng + Snail Mucin
3. Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

$15 and under snail mucin products

1. Gold & Snail Hydrogel Mask
2. Esfolio Snail Essence Mask Sheet
3. Milky Piggy 24k Gold Snail Cleansing Foam

Products that contain that are worth the price

1. Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream
2. Some By Mi - Snail Truecica Miracle Repair Starter Kit
3. Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream

FAQ’s

Want to know more about the benefits of snail mucin for skin? Here are some common questions

Can snail mucin cause acne?

No! Snail mucin is a non-comedogenic ingredient, which means that it gets easily absorbed without clogging pores and causing acne. 

Why is snail mucin so good for skin?

Snail mucin is a do-it-all ingredient that moisturizes, smooths wrinkles, and soothes irritation at one, that’s why it is often used in anti-aging and revitalizing serums and moisturizers. 

What is the best snail cream?

Our faves are MISSHA’s SUPER AQUA CELL RENEW SNAIL CREAM and COSRX’s ADVANCED SNAIL 92 ALL IN ONE CREAM. Both of them have an amazing texture that deeply hydrates the skin without leaving it too oily or sticky. Plus, they have powerful restoring and repairing properties. 

Can you apply snail mucin every day?

Yes and no! Snail mucin is safe enough to be used every day, but it actually depends on the product you want to apply. Always read the “how to use” section of each label to check how many times a day you can use it. 

Tips & Tricks to include snail mucin in your skincare routine

• Don’t use raw snail mucin on your skin since it can be contaminated and cause more harm than good. 
• Instead, opt for formulated skincare products with snail mucin as their main ingredient. You can find it in most Korean skincare products created to treat aging. 
• Always test the product on your hand before applying it to the skin, that way you can make sure you’re not allergic to the ingredient. 
• You can also find spot treatments with snail mucin, like eye creams, in case you want to take care of specific areas of your skin.