The Pleasures of Rubbing Snail Slime All Over My Face
Snake oil or miracle balm, I love the way this popular Korean moisturizer makes my skin feel
Lately, I’ve been really enjoying rubbing snail slime all over my face. Okay, the proper term is “snail mucin.” It’s a Korean skin moisturizer, and it’s all the rage these days.
Korean snail mucin creams first appeared in the U.S. in 2014, promising improved skin hydration and healing, as well as boosted collagen (collagen is the protein that keeps our skin firm, plump, and supple). Sure, the initial reaction of some U.S. consumers was a bit…ewww. Understandably — we are talking about putting the mucus that foams out of snails when they’re scared or aroused (think snail sex lube) on our faces.
This mucus is specifically secreted from a gland in the snail’s “foot,” the part of the snail’s body that enables it to glide over surfaces. The ooze ultimately coats the snail’s entire form, which is what prevents it from drying out.
It’s also what provides the stickiness so snails can cling to vertical surfaces, like walls or plant stalks, without falling off. And it’s what creates the silvery trails snails leave behind in their wake. Who knew it could also make you look pretty?
