In This Story:
You know an ingredient is gaining popularity when there are vegan counterparts to accommodate a larger demographic. Once discriminated against and frowned upon, today this ingredient is in every celebrity’s skincare kit. It may sound gross, slimy, and more often than not, a weird ingredient to apply on your skin, but the internet sure loves it. You can love it or hate it, but you clearly can’t ignore it. We are talking about the most coveted essential in every moisturising, anti-ageing, and nourishing product – Snail Mucin.
Snail Mucin was first used as a hydrating and anti-inflammatory ingredient for smooth skin by the Greeks in the early 19th century. Around the late 19th century, Chilean farmers realised snail mucin made their hands softer, and somewhere in the early 2000s, this clear, slimy extract from snails became a popular component in Korean skin and beauty products. Quickly the K-Beauty influence took the world by storm along with the popularity of snail mucin. Today, this humble ingredient is loved by all for its nourishing, repairing, and hydration properties and has made its way to the international skin industry, with even its counterpart – vegan snail mucin, for those who like their lifestyle plant-based.
What Is Snail Mucin
Snail mucin is an ingredient secreted from snails. It is commonly used in skincare products for its hydrating, healing, nourishing, and anti-ageing properties. It is rich in hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, peptides, and glycoproteins that help moisturise the skin, improve the skin barrier and elasticity, and promote collagen production. It also repairs damaged skin cells, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, lightens acne scars, and makes the skin feel soft, velvety, and supple. It is also lightweight and non-greasy making it suitable for all skin types. It is a powerhouse ingredient in recent skincare products, but its usage for healthy glowing skin dates way back, making it a legacy ingredient making a much-awaited comeback to the skin community.
Why Do Snails Produce Mucus?
Snails produce mucin or mucus to protect them from any friction caused during movement. It also hydrates their skin and acts as a lubricant to help them glide smoothly over rough surfaces. This helps them prevent injury and damage to their soft bodies. Snail mucin helps retain moisture to prevent them from dehydrating, especially if they are in dry weather. They also have anti-microbial properties that help them save their selves from infections. They also help communicate with other snails with the mucin patterns. This multipurpose secretion is also helpful beyond just the snails, even humans can benefit from this, let’s look at how snail mucin is more than just a lubricant for the snails.
Snail Mucin Benefits For Skin
Although it is mostly water, snail mucin benefits for the skin go beyond the H2O, it’s packed with elements that are otherwise naturally found in our bodies and skin that help us restore, repair, and rejuvenate our skin. Here’s a list of other ingredients found in snail mucin:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Zinc
- Allantoin
- Glycolic acid
- Collagen
- Peptides
- Iron
- Enzymes
- Elastin
- Glycoproteins
- Proteoglycans
- Antimicrobial peptides
Benefits Of Snail Mucin
Read ahead to discover snail mucin benefits.
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Intensely Hydrates:
Enriched with hyaluronic acid, snail mucin helps retain and supplement moisture. It keeps the skin hydrated, soft, and plump. It also creates an extra layer of protective barrier that improves the appearance and texture of the skin.
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Repairs & Heals Skin:
Snail mucin has ultra-regenerative properties that help restore dead and dying cells with new and stronger cells. It also helps accelerate the healing of wounds and soothes any irritated, itchy, and sensitive skin.
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Collagen Boosting:
Packed with skin-loving ingredients, snail mucin also boosts collagen production in the skin. This means all the dullness, fine lines and wrinkles, blemishes, and dark spots will rejuvenate faster and thus leave you with more youthful, glowing skin.
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Anti-Ageing:
Snail mucin increases cell turnover speed which significantly slows down as you age. It replicates the natural chemistry of the skin and improves the elasticity of the skin. It also stimulates the skin to reproduce at twice the speed with naturally found elements.
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Fights Dark Spots:
The naturally occurring glycolic acid in snail mucin gently exfoliates the skin to promote the growth of newer cells at a faster pace, thus reducing pigmentation, dark spots, acne scars, and uneven skin tone.
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Soothes Skin:
Whether you have itchy, irritated, inflamed, or sensitive skin, snail mucin has cooling and soothing effects that can calm your skin down. It controls the free radicals and reduces frequent breakouts to promote clear skin.
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Lightweight:
Since snail mucin is 99% water, it’s extremely lightweight and highly absorbent. It spreads quickly and enters the inner layers of the skin to start its magic immediately.
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Suitable For All Skin Types:
Since snail mucin is naturally found in nature, it is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive and photoaged skin that requires extra care. It enhances the natural glow and brings out your inner radiance with every use.
How to Use Snail Mucin
It is ideal to use a serum that’s infused with snail mucin instead of using it in its raw form. To use snail mucin, start by thoroughly cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser. Use a toner if you want to tighten your pores and make sure the serum stays put in the inner layers of the skin. Take a few drops of the snail mucin serum and gently pat it on your skin. With slow, circular movements spread the serum to ensure it covers the whole face. Follow it up with a moisturiser to lock the serum in. You can also use serum-infused creams and toners, but a serum offers the most benefits. You can use it twice a day for the product to start working its magic quicker. Make sure to not use any active AHAs or BHAs when using snail mucin, they may cancel each other out. Conduct a patch test if you have never used it on your skin before to avoid any allergic reactions. You can also use an under-eye cream that’s made with snail mucin to rejuvenate your undereye skin.
Best Snail Mucin Products
Snail Mucin Serums
Nykaa Recommends:
Snail Mucin Moisturisers
Nykaa recommends:
Snail Mucin Under Eye Cream
Nykaa recommends:
Vegan Snail Mucin Serums
Nykaa recommends:
Is Snail Mucin Safe?
Just like any other ingredients that you introduce to your skin, snail mucin too can react well or poorly depending on your allergen levels. To avoid an extreme reaction, conduct a patch test on your inner elbows or chest to see how your skin responds to the ingredients. If you have extremely sensitive skin with a history of breakouts, consult a dermatologist before introducing a new ingredient to your skincare regimen.
Parting Thoughts
Snail mucin is a naturally occurring secretion that is 99% water and 1% of every essential element your skin needs to stay hydrated, youthful, and plump. Even though it was initially used by the Greeks, it was popularised by the Korean skincare industry, and everyone is obsessed with this ingredient, for all the right reasons.
FAQs
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How does snail mucin help with acne?
Due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, snail mucin is believed to help fight potentially acne-causing bacteria. It also calms inflamed skin, exfoliates tired skin, and reduces clogged pores.
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Can snail mucin reduce fine lines and wrinkles?
Packed with vitamin A, snail mucin improves collagen production, hydrates the skin, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
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Is snail mucin good for sensitive skin?
Snail mucin is 99% water and other ingredients that are naturally present in the skin and thus suitable for all skin types.
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How do I use snail mucin in my skincare routine?
You can use snail mucin in the form of serums, under-eye creams, moisturisers, creams, and sunscreens.
