Snail slime is a popular ingredient in Korean skincare products. According to The Sentinel, the use of snail slime or snail mucin as a beauty product originated in Italy. It was used to heal wounds and soften skin and those same properties are the reasons why the ingredient has made its way to skincare products.
Board-certified Dr. Hadley King tells Women's Health that snail slime is made of glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid. Zinc is also another component. She adds that these four have long been documented to benefit the skin.
Skin concerns that benefit from snail mucin are acne, wrinkles, dry skin, age spots and burns and that's why you'll find snail mucin in anti-aging and anti-acne skincare products, especially in Korea.
As K-beauty has become increasingly popular in the U.S., people have gotten used to unusual ingredients. Elle writes that some of those "weird and wonderful" ingredients include snail slime, salmon eggs, pig collagen and placenta.
However, snail slime remains to be the most popular. Here are some snail slime or snail mucin products recommended by Allure, Byrdie, The Strategist and Women's Health.
Mizon Snail Foam Cleanser
Mizon is popular for snail-infused skincare products. Korean facial cleansers tend to be milder than most and cleans without stripping the skin and this snail cleanser is no exception. According to Amazon reviews, it's a great cleanser for acne-prone skin and just like most Korean cleansers, a little goes a long way, and one tube will last for months.
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COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This popular K-beauty product in an affordable option to start with. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence has 96 percent snail mucin, sodium hyaluronate and arginine, which is an amino acid.
Best for dry skin, it hydrates, improves skin texture, and evens out skin tone. If acne scars are a major concern, you can also try COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream.
Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream
This is another cult favorite from Mizon. The All in One Snail Repair Cream has 92 percent snail extracts that hydrates parched skin, brightens hyperpigmentation, and blemishes and diminishes wrinkles and fine lines. The name really says it all.
Biopelle Tensage Intensive Serum 40
With snail mucin as the first ingredient on this serum's list, Dr. King recommends this serum to promote faster healing after skin procedures or whenever you want to see anti-aging results quickly.
SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care Snail Repair Cream
For those dealing with eczema, rosacea or overexfoliation with acids and retinol, The Strategist reports that Amazon reviewers highly recommend this skin saver. It deals with dry, red, and flaky skin. Users also reported brighter undereye circles and improved skin elasticity.
SKEDERM Snail Jelly Face Mask Bundle of 10 Sheets
For occasional bouts of dry skin around winter, help your skin out with a snail sheet mask. While the slimy texture may initially gross you out, you will not regret is moisturizing benefits. Amazon reviewers also said that acne scars are also not match for this effective sheet mask. The mask comes in a pack of 10 so it's a pretty good deal.
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