Here's Why Your Skin Needs Snail Mucus

I'm willing to try pretty much anything for the sake of beauty. I've styled my eyebrows with soap, washed my face with olive oil, and took my boyfriend to Sephora to show him why I need makeup. But when I heard about "snail slime" skin care, I'll admit I was a little grossed out at first. OK, I was a lot grossed out. Considering I don't even like to look at the slippery little creatures, the question of putting their juices on my face was answered with a firm and swift "hell, no."

But then, I started reading more about it, and found myself feeling more and more intrigued by the seemingly zillions of benefits that come along with putting snail mucus on your face. "Much in the way that their mucin protects their delicate little snail feet from environmental hazards such as rough surfaces, bacteria, and UV-rays and keeps them moist in dry conditions, many of the nutrients in snail mucin can also be absorbed by our skin to similar effects," says the team at MISSHA, a beauty and skin care company based in Korea. "Regular use of snail mucin has been shown to fade acne scars and hyperpigmentation, moisturize and firm skin, clear complexion, and minimize pores."

First of all, "delicate little snail feet" is the cutest thing I've ever heard. And second of all, those benefits sounded too good to pass up. As uncomfortable as I was with snail mucus before I tried it, I guess you could say I’m a snail mucus convert, seeing as I went from “totally grossed out” by it to a die-hard devotee. If you’re considering trying the on-trend ingredient for yourself, here are the products to get you started (and hooked).

1. This Gel-Cream That Immediately Moisturizes Dry Skin

“It looked like jelly, which was a little icky, but smelled really delicious and floral,” beauty writer Zoe Weiner says of the snail cream. “I applied it generously to my face and neck, and could feel a difference within minutes,” she says, adding, “My skin didn’t only feel moisturized, but it somehow felt softer and smoother than ever.” That skin-softening effect comes from a 70% concentration of snail mucin, which is naturally packed with hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and peptides that help with skin regeneration and boosting elasticity. Though it’s rich enough to leave dry skin types feeling moisturized, the gel-cream formula is lightweight enough for those with oily skin – and it still remains fast-absorbing.

Relevant Review: “This product has helped renew and restore my dry skin. Smells great and goes on smoothly. Love it!”

Other Beneficial Ingredients: Baobab Seed Oil, Purslane Extract, Vitamin E, Adenosine, Glycerin, Centella Asiatica | Size: 1.76 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

2. A Cult-Favorite Essence With More Than 70,000 Five-Star Ratings

This post-cleanser essence is the most highly rated snail mucin product on Amazon, with more than 70,000 five-star ratings and counting. Though the COSRX essence has a slightly sticky texture as you apply it, reviewers note that it’s quick to absorb, leaving you with skin that immediately feels softer. It contains an impressive 96.3% concentration of snail mucin to target dullness, discoloration, and a rough skin texture, while nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and panthenol aid the snail slime in moisturizing and soothing skin. One more thing to love? COSRX is confirmed to be cruelty-free, and the K-beauty brand even explains on its site that no snails are harmed during the secretion collection process.

Relevant Review: “I’ve been using COSRX Snail Mucin for a few weeks now, and the results have been fantastic. My skin looks glowy and plump, and I’ve noticed a significant improvement in its overall texture and hydration. […]”

Other Beneficial Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Allantoin, Panthenol, Arginine | Size: 3.38 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

3. This Skin-Calming Serum That Comes In The Cutest Bottle

For those with sensitive skin who want to give snail mucin a try, this daily serum is your best bet. Not only does it include ingredients like niacinamide and oat peptides to help calm inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier, but the formula is also hypoallergenic and free from common irritants like synthetic fragrances and essential oils. Of course, it also contains a hefty dose of snail mucin to help with soothing and moisturizing, as well as hyaluronic acid and collagen extract to support skin elasticity for a more plumped-up appearance. As is often the case with K-beauty, the serum also gets points from many Amazon reviewers for the cute packaging, which includes a bright pink bottle and a green-tinted dropper for dispensing the serum (though the serum itself is completely colorless).

Relevant Review: “I really like this face serum. I was a little skeptical about the whole snail mucin thing at first, but I’m glad I gave this a shot. This leaves my skin feeling soft and well hydrated. I love that this doesn’t have any scent – very nice for those of us who are scent sensitive. Would definitely recommend.”

Other Beneficial Ingredients: Glycerin, Niacinamide, Arginine, Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen Extract, Panthenol, Oat Peptide | Size: 1.69 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

4. A Face Mask That’s Great For Acne-Prone Skin

All skin types can benefit from incorporating this 15-minute face mask into their skin care routine on a weekly basis, but the calming and brightening formula is especially beneficial to those with acne-prone skin. That’s because in addition to a 95% concentration of snail mucin that can help with wound healing, you’ll find also licorice root extract and strawberry fruit extract which can purportedly help with fading unwanted hyperpigmentation. Centella asiatica, another K-beauty favorite for promoting skin healing is also included in the formula to calm acne redness and inflammation, while reviewers note that the mask’s jelly-like texture has an immediate cooling effect on the skin.

Relevant Review: “This stuff is so amazing. I have acne-prone, oily skin and this has helped clear up my scarring, scabbing, and existing breakouts. It feels nice and cooling while you leave it on for the recommended 15 minutes and my face is so plump and hydrated after. […]”

Other Beneficial Ingredients: Centella Asiatica, Licorice Root Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Strawberry Fruit Extract | Size: 3.38 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

5. These Golden Eye Masks That Soothe & De-Puff

These golden hydrogel eye patches are arguably the most appealing way to try snail mucin. Not only do they look glamorous while you wear them, but each patch is saturated in a moisturizing formula that includes anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich 24-karat gold. A 1% concentration of snail mucin means you’re not getting the same level of benefits from the active ingredient as the other products on this list, but the formula does include many other ingredients that offer the same soothing and plumping effects like allantoin, hydrolyzed collagen, and peptides. The patches also include niacinamide, which can further help with soothing tired eyes.

Relevant Review: “With allergies and now with winter dryness, I have a lot of under eye puffiness, especially in the AM. These little gel pads are SO soothing and always help decrease puffiness. I put them on while doing morning chores and they work quickly and provide relief […].”

Other Beneficial Ingredients: Niacinamide, Allantoin, 24K Gold, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Mushroom Extract, Peptides, Adenosine | Size: 30 Pairs | Cruelty-Free: Yes

6. An SPF-Infused Lip Balm

K-beauty favorite TonyMoly has introduced this snail mucin-infused lip balm that gets an extra nourishing boost from the gold-infused green tea that the brand feeds its snails. Additionally, the clear lip balm is packed with more traditional moisturizing ingredients like sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, and jojoba seed oil, as well as hydrolyzed collagen to help naturally plump up lips. There’s some slight sun protection in the balm with SPF 13 to complement your usual SPF regimen, though several reviewers shared that it does have a bit of a sunscreen-y scent and taste to it.

Relevant Review: “I wasn’t sure what to expect when I ordered this but I LOVE this balm. It has an amazing luxuriously rich feel without any heaviness. It smells very nice and moisturizes my lips perfectly.”

Other Beneficial Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Borago Seed Oil, Brazil Nut Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Jojoba Seed Oil, Aloe Vera | Size: 0.1 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

7. A 5-Pack Of Snail Mucin Sheet Masks For Under $20

If you love a good sheet mask, pick up this five-piece bundle from LAPCOS. Sold in a pack of five (and for less than $20), the masks are made of of cupra-rayon tencel which sits on your skin firmly without sliding off. Thanks to the snail mucin, the masks work to heal and nourish dry, dull, or uneven looking skin, but they’re also made with other nourishing and soothing ingredients like glycerin, allantoin, and chamomile. Skin will be left feeling super smooth and refreshed after each session, and you can even store them in the fridge to enhance the masks’ soothing effects.

Relevant Review: “These masks are literally the best! No joke! I’ve had facial upon facial and the first time I used the Escargot mask, my face was soft, smooth and my redness was gone. I’m obsessed!!”

Other Beneficial Ingredients: Glycerin, Allantoin, Chamomile, Spirulina | Size: 5-Pack | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Images: Courtesy of Author