Snail Mucin: Why You Should Add it to Your Skin Care Routine・ (2024)

Minimize wrinkles and repair skin damage are just some of snail mucin’s super powers. Learn what snail mucin is and why you should add this exotic ingredient to in your skin care regimen.

Why would anyone put snail mucin in skincare products in the first place?


Think of it this way: Snails move around by dragging their bodies on the ground. Pretty gnarly, right? Well, in order for them to not get totally torn up by whatever pointy, sharp or abrasive textures are on the ground, they have to heal themselves pretty fast, which is a natural ability found in that telltale snail trail.

K-beauty pioneered the idea of taking that super healing extract from the snail’s natural secretion and implementing it in skincare as a prime skin healer.

What does it do for your skin?


Snail mucin already possesses a bunch of well-known skin care treats like elastin, proteins, copper peptides, hyaluronic and glycolic acid, plus it also has anti-microbial properties to ward off bacteria.

Since snail mucin is still relatively new in the skincare world, there aren’t a lot of clinical studies for academic proof, but you just need to visit any skin care forum online and you’ll see the evangelical praise of how it’s helped people’s skin.

Snail mucin is known for being able to firm and tighten the skin, boost elastin and collagen production, replenish moisture, minimize wrinkles and fine lines, repair skin damage, fight blemishes, andeven skin tone.

Where to find it

You’ll find snail mucin in products meant to help with anti-aging efforts, fading acne scars and pigmentation, or to help hydrate. Its natural peptides work to even skin tone and texture, encouraging collagen products to plump your skin up so it appears smoother and more hydrated. And since the whole point of snail mucin is to heal and repair, it does the same thing via cell regeneration for your pigmented or scarred skin cells.

So what’s the best way to get your snail mucin fix?


It depends on your skin type! If you are preparing for a long dry winter, definitely pick it up in moisturizer form. Missha’s Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream is a bestseller for a reason. Its gel texture formula is insanely hydrating (layer it on at night to see how it doubles as a sleeping pack).

If you’re good on hydration for now but could still use a snail fix, an essence or sheet mask is the way to go. Missha also has a sheet mask infused with snail essence, but my personal favorite is the sleeping mask by Missha. It has snail mucin and Centellato even out skin tone. I recommend it for all skin types, especially sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Snail mucin essences will often have a watery gel texture that you can just pat on after toning and it’ll make your skincare routine feel all the juicier—something you definitely want, trust me.

Snail Mucin: Why You Should Add it to Your Skin Care Routine・ (2024)

FAQs

Snail Mucin: Why You Should Add it to Your Skin Care Routine・? ›

It contains beneficial skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, allantoin, glycolic acid, and peptides. Snail mucin may have anti-aging, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and it may help treat breakouts and help protect your skin from skin cancer.

Should I add snail mucin to my skincare routine? ›

“Generally, using a snail mucin skincare product once or twice daily should yield noticeable results over time,” Dr. Shokeen explains. “However, consistency is key, so regular and long-term use is often recommended for optimal benefits.” Dr.

Why is snail mucin used in skincare? ›

Main Benefits: It moisturizes the skin, promotes collagen production, and aids in skin healing and regeneration. Who Should Use It: In general, snail mucin can be used on all skin types, though its hydrating properties make it especially choice for those with dry skin, says Dr. Lain.

Is it OK to use snail mucin everyday? ›

Snail mucin often makes an appearance in multi-step K-beauty skincare routines, but you don't have to be a skincare expert to make it work for you. You can easily incorporate snail mucin into your daily skincare regimen if you'd like to reap its purported benefits.

What not to mix snail mucin with? ›

For example, Retinol can irritate and certain acids like AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) can break down the proteins found in snail mucin, reducing its effectiveness.

How do you layer snail mucin in skincare routine? ›

Cosrx's snail mucin power essence is best applied before you layer on vitamin C and niacinamide products. In the morning, pair the snail serum with your favorite brightening serums, face sunscreens, and foundations or skin tints.

Should snail mucin go over or under moisturizer? ›

Morning Ritual: After cleansing your face in the morning, apply your snail mucin serum. Let it absorb fully, then follow up with a moisturizer and, most importantly, SPF. Sunscreen is your final, non-negotiable step – it shields your skin from UV damage, which can counteract the benefits of snail mucin.

Where does snail mucin go in routine? ›

After you've applied all of your lighter products, finish off your routine with a denser moisturizer to keep all of your skincare on your skin. If you're using a snail mucin cream, you can put it on your face and follow up with your usual moisturizer, or use it as your final layer.

Is snail mucin worth the hype? ›

Yes. It does appear that certain types of snail mucin have moisturizing and protective qualities that are good for your skin. Snail mucin contains antioxidants that may help reduce signs of aging like wrinkles, uneven skin tone and sagging.

What do dermatologists say about snail mucin? ›

While data confirming snail mucin's effectiveness is limited (something that's true of many trending skincare ingredients), the risks to using it are also minimal. “There are no documented negative side effects, and the ingredient is generally well-tolerated,” says Dr. Engelman.

Are snails killed for snail mucin? ›

Snails have been eaten by humans for thousands of years, but thankfully extracting their mucin doesn't involve killing the snail. Methods of mucin harvesting vary between manufacturer, so since we stock COSRX we're detailing how they do it.

Is snail mucin or hyaluronic acid better? ›

Is snail mucin better than hyaluronic acid? As a moisturiser, pure hyaluronic acid packs a punch, is superior to snail mucin and has longer lasting effects. Snail mucin has added benefits in terms of other ingredients like proteins, enzymes, copper peptides, antimicrobial peptides, iron, zinc, and proteoglycans.

Does snail mucin clog pores? ›

Does snail mucin clog pores? No! This lightweight ingredient is non-comedogenic and won't clog pores. Even better, it has antimicrobial and wound-healing properties which may help to speed up the acne healing process (although more research is needed).

Can I use vitamin C and snail mucin together? ›

But here's the twist: snail mucin, being the adaptable darling it is, doesn't drastically alter the pH of the skin when applied after Vitamin C. Instead, it provides a moisture barrier and helps in soothing the skin. So, instead of neutralizing, it complements.

What is snail mucin best paired with? ›

Vitamin C

It works well to fade pigmentation and even reduce scars since it boosts the collagen production. This combination will work well together to give you that glass skin finish due to intense hydration from Snail Mucin and brightening effect from Vitamin C.

Should I use hyaluronic acid if I use snail mucin? ›

A: Yes, indeed! Whether you're battling oily skin, navigating the dry skin landscape, or striking a balance with combination skin, both snail mucin and hyaluronic acid can play nice. They hydrate without making your skin feel greasy and repair without triggering sensitivity.

Should you put snail mucin before or after serums? ›

If your snail mucin product is thin and watery, you'd want to apply it before a thicker hyaluronic acid serum. But if your snail mucin is in a dense cream form and your hyaluronic acid is a lightweight serum, the HA goes first.

How do you use Cosrx snail mucin in skincare routine? ›

COSRX Snail Mucin can be used by itself or with other skincare products. If you prefer layering, wait a few minutes after applying the essence before applying your moisturizer or sunscreen.

Do you put snail mucin on first or retinol? ›

If you're keen on using both in the same routine, apply snail mucin first; let it fully absorb, and then layer on your retinol. The mucin acts as a hydrating buffer, minimizing potential irritation from the retinol while paving the way for all its benefits.

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