Why you need to try snail mucin

If you would have told us that we would be applying snail mucin on our faces in 2021 ten years ago, we would have thought you were out of your mind. What was once something we shrugged off has now earned a permanent place in our shelves thanks to some ancient scientific discoveries and the absolute miracle that is k-beauty. With so much to offer in terms of benefits that you could achieve on your skin, here is why you should consider snail mucin.

This Benton Snail Bee high content essence is a game changer in moisturizing.

The snail has been used in medicine since ancient time in different formulations to treat protoccle by Hippocrates and Pliny who used it as a “a sovereign remedy to treat pain related to burns, abscesses and other wounds”. In the 18th century, various snail “preparations” were also recommended for external use with dermatological disorders and internally for symptoms associated with tuberculosis and nephritis. It is not surprising that the 19th century saw a renewed interest in the pharmaceutical and medical use of snails with numerous indications for snail preparations. Recently the FDA has also shown an interest in snails specifically Ziconotide (SNXIII), a synthetic peptide coming from snail venom.

The  Cosrx advanced snail set is a  great ways to incorporate snail mucin into your routine. Click on the image to shop.

In terms of cosmetic interests, their secretion is made up of a conglomeration of ingredients, many of which are suggested to aid skin health, including:

• proteins
• hyaluronic acid
• elastin
• antimicrobials
• peptides
• glycol acid
• antioxidants

Snail secretions when used on the skin are thought to stimulate the skin to produce collagen, elastin and other components thought to result in clearer skin while fighting signs of aging and sun damage. A peer reviewed study by a San Diego dermatology lab showed that snail mucin did actually counter minor effects of sun damage after 12 weeks, particularly reducing fine wrinkles caused by UV damage, though it did not study which of the particular ingredients in snail slime prompted this result.

Snail filtrate also contains Allantoin a chemical which has been shown by some peer-reviewed studies to assist in the wound-healing process and stimulate cell growth, both of which are helpful to fight skin damage. (Allantoin is present in lots of cosmetics, including anti-acne medicine.). It is this that makes it have characteristics that may help in scare management, especially in early scars.

According to one cosmetologist, the key thing with snail slime is its high concentration of proteins and other water-soluble polymers, which are molecules that shrink when they dry, pulling the skin back. This is thought to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines which explains why it has been taunted as an antiaging treatment as far back as roman times.

Snail secretions especially when formulated in moisturizers also support the glow that is synonymous with the glass skin trend. So if you aren’t looking for any of the other benefits above, maybe the glass skin will make you hang around? If you are stuck on where to start, here are some of our top picks:

The Benton snail bee essence, Cosrx advanced snail set and the some by mi snail truecica set are great ways to incorporate snail mucin into your routine. Click on the images to shop.