Skincare ingredients are getting unique as days go by. If you are familiar with Korean skincare, you may be exposed to various bizarre ingredients you have never thought of finding in a skincare product. Snail mucin, commonly called snail slime, is one of the ingredients that rose into the spotlight through Korean skincare trends. As much as it can be disgusting for some people, it offers surprising benefits for the skin. Let’s get into it!
Understanding Snail Mucin
Many beauty brands have been releasing their snail mucin skincare lines. However, most people do not really understand what it can do for your skin, as most of them only join the bandwagon from one trend to another. Snail mucin can go by snail slime or snail secretion filtrate, but they all mean the same thing.
It is important to note that the slime trail we see whenever a snail move is different from the ones used in skincare. The snail mucin you will find in a skincare product is secreted by snails under tremendous stress and pressure. Beauty companies’ extraction process may vary, but killing snails is not necessary.
COSRX is a well-known beauty brand for its snail mucin skincare line, and they have been transparent on how they extract the mucin they use for most of their products. First, they place the well-rested snails in a dark environment with a mesh net, as snails are naturally nocturnal, and they can perform better with that kind of location.
These snails are free to roam around for a specific time while the mesh net catches all the snail secretion. Fortunately, the snails are not harmed in any way, as animal cruelty is strictly prohibited in Korea. Isn’t stress needed for them to secrete the mucin? According to them, the most optimal production can only happen if the snails are healthy and well-rested. So, they take care of their snails to provide them quality mucin for their products.
Skin Benefits of Snail Mucin
This ingredient did not become famous for no reason. There was no solid history of how snail mucin was discovered for skincare. However, ancient Greeks were known for crushing snails to help with skin inflammation, while a Spanish oncologist discovered that snails secret different mucus when in great stress. With science and advanced technology, it was found that snail mucin holds so much benefit for the human skin and is utilized in the skincare products offered in the market nowadays.
- Anti-aging benefits
Hyaluronic is one of the main components of snail mucin. It is also a famous ingredient in Korean skincare for its moisturizing, anti-aging, and immediate healing benefits. Hyaluronic acid also stimulates the skin to increase collagen and elastin to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles. The moisturizing and hydrating benefits of snail mucin can make your skin healthier and plumper. But, you need to incorporate snail mucin in your daily skincare routine to reap the benefits.
- Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits
Snail mucin naturally contains antimicrobial properties, which makes it an excellent ingredient for people with acne-prone skin. It also contains glycolic acid, a powerful exfoliant to prevent your risks of breaking out more often by unclogging your pores and hydrating your skin at the same time. Snail mucin also contains zinc, an effective anti-inflammatory ingredient that can benefit people with sensitive and acne-prone skin.
- Soothing and damage repair abilities
Allantoin is a component found in snail mucin. This ingredient can be extracted from the comfrey plant’s root and is an effective calming and repairing ingredient. This component makes snail mucin effective in promoting rapid healing and helping with skin irritation and redness. It also helps your skin be at its best all year long, as it improves cell regeneration.
- Lightens blemishes and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
As snail mucin contains numerous vitamins, peptides, and proteins, it can quickly treat acne scars. However, reducing sunspot appearance may not be as effective with this ingredient. Nonetheless, it can guarantee you maximum effectiveness for acne scars, all while making your skin smoother.
Final Thoughts
Snail mucin has been proven effective by different generations, but studies are still limited until today. Like any other ingredient, this ingredient can also trigger allergies, so perform patch tests whenever you use new products. However, if you have any other skin conditions, it would be better to check with your dermatologist first.
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