Snail Mucin: Hyaluronic Acid’s Gooey Twin

What is snail mucin, the benefits, how to use it, and the potential side effects

There’s something about snails that I find both fascinating and repulsive, and both of them are because of their slime. I find the slime amusingly gross, but at the same time, I am amazed at how it has lots of benefits, specifically for our skin.

Even if it seems a little unpleasing, snail mucin that has recently gained popularity in the beauty industry offers your skin to act as a moisturizer, collagen stimulator, and also skin protector. Let’s get to know more about this popular snail slime!

What is snail mucin?

This miraculous goo was first used by the ancient Greeks to reduce topical inflammation. Back in the 1980s, snail farmers noticed that their hands were softened and healthier because of the snails. Now in 2024, the snail mucin got its fame back as a magical K-beauty skincare ingredient.

Snail mucin or snail mucus is the slime that snails use to travel and stick on their path. This slimy trail contains hyaluronic acid, proteins, collagen, glycolic acid, and many more that benefit us in improving our skin condition. Snail mucin also protects and repairs your skin from infections!

You can find snail mucin products in the form of essences, masks, creams, lotions, or serums.

Is snail mucin the same as a moisturizer?

While it acts to moisturize your face, some snail mucin products do not always role as a moisturizer. Some might give you the best hydration and enough for you not to use moisturizer right after. However, some might also require you to still apply moisturizer to really secure the hydration. Best believe for you to follow the instructions for each product!

Is it cruelty-free? Do they harm the snail?

Thanks the advanced technology, snail mucin extraction doesn’t need to harm the snails nowadays. Instead, there are already methods that are more friendly than the traditional ones. One gives pleasure to the snail that stimulates the mucus excretion. One puts the snail in a dark room and collects mucin from the trail of the snail. Even so, it still utilizes a living animal in the process, thus doesn’t make it exactly a vegan-friendly skincare option.

Benefits of snail mucin for your skin

You can’t imagine how much snails can give to the table (besides escargot!). Snail mucin provides tons of benefits with major results, even though it’s a natural ingredient. Here are some of the benefits of this slimy gem:

Snail mucin slimes your wrinkles away

This gooey slime mucus can help you to reduce and prevent wrinkles and fine lines on your face. Snail mucin stimulates collagen production in your skin, which helps with maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. This results in the reduced appearance of wrinkles and fie lines.

Snail mucin moisturizes your face a LOT

Snail mucin contains a significant amount of hyaluronic acid that attracts and retains moisture. It will help you to achieve a plumper and healthier complexion!

Snail mucin promotes wound healing

Snail mucin is one amazing natural ingredient. While snail mucin is popular for its ability to prevent wrinkles and fine lines, it also has the ability to help with several skin conditions, such as scarring and burns. Thanks to allantoin, one of the active ingredients contained in snail mucin.

How to use snail mucin

Snail mucin can be confusing as it can be found in the form of thick essence, serum, or even in form of moisturizer. Snail mucin is rich in active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, AHAs, and allantoin, which you must pay attention to how to incorporate it in your routine.

“Can I still use snail mucin with hyaluronic acid?”

Skin mucin which is also rich in hyaluronic acid works well combined with hyaluronic acid. If your hyaluronic acid serum is lighter than the snail mucin product, use the serum first and vice versa.

“Is it OK to use niacinamide with snail mucin?”

Your skin will feel best after incorporating snail mucin together with niacinamide in your routine. You can totally use niacinamide and snail mucin together, but the order on which one to use first still depends on the texture of each product.

“Is it safe to use snail mucin every day?”

Yes! You can even use it twice a day. Plus if you feel like your skin is hydrated enough from the snail mucin product you use, you can skip your moisturizer and your skin is still good to go!

Is there any potential side effect from using snail mucin?

There’s not much evidence of negative side effects after using snail mucin as a skincare (not even clogged pores!), but it doesn’t mean that there’s no possibility of it. Individual results may vary, and some possible reactions to snail mucin are redness, irritation, itching, skin rash, and others that can also be caused by allergy. It is highly suggested that you do a patch test before incorporating snail mucin into your skincare routine.