Does snail mucus really get rid of wrinkles and give you perfect skin? We asked a skin expert to find out
How to incorporate it into your skincare routine and who can use specific products
SOME pretty strange skincare trends get shares across social media, and you may think snail slime is just another of those.
But the skincare ingredient has gained a cult following over the last couple years, with the term ‘‘ garnering 1.3billion views on TikTok.
The buzzy ingredient is exactly what it sounds like – mucus secreted by snails that’s referred to as snail mucin or snail secretion filtrate.
Lovers of this slimey skincare trend claim the product leaves their face glowing and hydrated, while helping tame acne and scarring and even reducing wrinkles.
But does snail mucus live up to the hype?
Sun Health spoke to skin experts to find out.
What is snail mucin?
Slimey secretions are collected from snails in a number of different ways.
Some farms have snails crawl on nets so mucus drips into pans underneath, while others spray the shelled creatures with sodium chloride to encourage secretion, according to the .
Snail mucin isn’t a novel skincare ingredient and has been widely used in Korea for years.
But snail slime has surged in popularity on platforms such as TikTok largely due to products like the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Gel, which retails for £24.99 in Boots.
COSRX’s UK representative Julia Marinkovich described snail mucin as “a tried and tested ingredient in the K-Beauty world [which] has huge benefits“.
She told Sun Health: “Snail mucin is an excretion from snails, and is naturally made up of properties like glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid, all of which have long-documented benefits for the skin.”
What does it do?
The multiple ingredients in snail mucus can have different benefits on your skin, according to Julia.
She explained: “Thanks to the hyaluronic acid in the mucin, it has moisturising properties that support the skin barrier and help lock in moisture.
“The glycolic acid helps to stimulate collagen production that not only helps diminish fine lines and wrinkles, but it also helps to give your complexion a radiant, youthful glow.
“It also contains zinc which is anti-inflammatory and allantoin which soothes irritation.
“So, all in all, you can expect skin to be softer, more moisturised and glowing with consistent use of snail mucin.”
Julia said users will notice that their skin is “more hydrated and glowy” after the first use, but it’ll take around two weeks of continual use for you to see and feel the real benefits.
But skin expert Dr Raquel Amado was more sceptical of snail mucin’s benefits.
Speaking to Sun Health, the aesthetic practitioner and founder of the clinic in Kent, said: “To date, there hasn’t been any substantial clinical studies to demonstrate the effects of snail mucin on human skin.”
However, she acknowledged that it has “long been a trend in Korea”.
“It’s a skin trend that seems to come around every so often, recently gaining traction on social media for its potential inflammatory effects,” Dr Amado stated.
“However, there is no scientific evidence to back this up.”
A 2020 study suggested that snail mucus could provide a protective barrier between the skin and air pollution, reducing inflammation and signs of ageing caused by oxidative stress.
Another claimed snail slime could help with wound healing,
However, dermatologist Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, an American Academy of Dermatology fellow, recently told that more large clinical trials are needed to better understand snail mucin’s effects on the skin.
She added that the vitamins A and E in mucus might reduce inflammation and signs of ageing, while peptides in the slime could boost collagen production.
Who can use it?
Julia told Sun Health that snail mucin “can be used on all skin types, though its hydrating properties make it especially choice for those with dry skin”
“It’s generally well-tolerated by most skin types so unless you’re allergic to snail mucin, there’s absolutely no risk of using snail mucin skin products,” she added.
“To test for an allergic reaction, you can simply patch test and wait for a while to see if you get a rash or a type of itching.”
Dr Amado also said she wasn’t aware of risks associated risks or potential reactions from using snail mucin.
But she did urge caution over trying skincare trends picked up on social media.
“Having said this, when it comes to trends, acting cautiously is crucial as they may not be suitable for everyone and every skin type.
“Sometimes, going back to basics with fewer and simpler products is more beneficial,” Dr Amado added, saying she tends to support simpler skincare routines for people with sensitive or menopausal skin.
Though there’s plenty of social media hype around snail mucus, some TikTok users have reported breaking out after using products with the ingredient.
Former Sephora beauty adviser and skincare expert Sarah Palmyra said people with shellfish or dust mite allergies must be more likely to break out when using snail mucin, in .
She added that some might be making the mistake of applying the serum to dry instead of damp skin.
Meanwhile, medical aesthetician Cassandra Bankson echoed Sarah in saying snail mucin .
She advised people who are vulnerable to fungal acne breakouts to stay away from snail mucin products.
How can I use snail mucin in my skincare routine?
It’s generally recommended that you use snail mucin products on damp skin instead of dry to reap their full benefits.
Julia told Sun Health: “If you are using a snail mucin essence like the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Gel, then you would put it on before your moisturiser for a glowing and hydrating boost.”
You could opt for the Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream if you want the benefits of the essence in a moisturiser, or pair both products together for “ultimate hydration”, the COSRX rep went on.
“If you are looking to boost long-term hydration, we’d recommend that you use snail mucin once or twice per day and apply to a damp face after cleansing to lock-in moisture,” Julia added.