Snail mucin has become a trending buzzworthy skincare agent for its rich source of nutrients and skin-boosting benefits. It’s often used in topicals including serums, essences, creams or moisturizers, toners, masks and more for improving, repairing, rejuvenating and hydrating skin.
“Snail mucin is a natural substance secreted by snails that’s rich in glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, enzymes, peptides and antioxidants,” says Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist in NYC and New Jersey and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine.
“It’s trending due to K-beauty’s influence and demand for gentle ingredients that visibly improve texture, hydration and glow without irritation,” Garshick explains.
Snail mucin is versatile and generally safe for all skin types since it’s gentle by nature, meaning it works well for dry, sensitive, acne-prone, aging, normal and combination skin types. As with any new skincare product, perform a patch test to make sure your skin reacts well and to avoid adverse effects. It’s also particularly helpful for people with skin conditions or other needs, such as treating damaged barriers, hyperpigmentation or post-acne scarring.
Here are a few reasons to try snail mucin skincare, and see what you think.
Snail mucin benefits for skin
A few snail mucin skincare benefits include:
Supports anti-aging
Snail mucin’s properties when used topically are great for improving skin elasticity to keep it firmer and taut with age. As you get older, skin elasticity naturally decreases, which is why it’s important to maintain its structure with the right set of topicals incorporated in a consistent daily routine.
“Snail mucin stimulates collagen and elastin production thanks to naturally occurring peptides and glycolic acid, helping to firm the skin and reduce fine lines over time,” Garshick explains, suggesting to use snail mucin products daily and applying in the morning or evening specifically under a moisturizer or layering with other active skin ingredients.
For best results, be consistent and set a goal of applying 1-2 times per day. Pick an easy topical, such as serum, toner, cream or moisturizer, and feel free to boost self-care with the addition of face masks and eye gels, too.
Hydrating effects
“Snail mucin is rich in hyaluronic acid and glycoproteins that attract and lock in moisture, making it excellent for dry or dehydrated skin,” Garshick says.
A tip? Apply products to slightly damp skin after cleansing the face to seal in hydration, and aim to do so once or twice daily for fresher skin with a dewy, plump appearance.
Acne treatment
“With zinc, allantoin and anti-microbial peptides, snail mucin soothes inflammation, calms breakouts and helps repair damaged skin,” Garshick says.
Plus, since it’s gentle enough for acne-prone skin, it’s generally safe to use snail mucin skincare products in the morning and evening as part of a regular routine. For enhancing acne-treatment and prevention, Garshick recommends layering snail mucin topicals with products that target acne directly, such as salicylic acid. Moisturizers, serums and face cleansers with salicylic acid are great examples.
Brightening skin
Known for exfoliating dead skin cells for a fresh, soft and moisturized look, snail mucin is excellent when used topically for giving skin that coveted youthful glow and for brightening tone, texture and complexion.
“Snail mucin contains glycolic acid and enzymes that help lightly exfoliate dead skin cells while brightening dark spots and dull skin over time,” Garshick says.
For optimal brightening, use daily and pair with sunscreen during the day to prevent hyperpigmentation.
Wound and scar healing
One of snail mucin’s most impressive features in skincare is an ability to heal wounds and scars. It contains anti-inflammatory properties to calm skin and expedite skin’s healing process when recovering from injury or damage.
“Thanks to allantoin, it accelerates skin regeneration and calms redness or irritation, and it’s especially useful after breakouts or for post-treatment recovery,” Garshick suggests, and says to apply twice daily on either clean skin or after using toners and before heavier creams.
Best ingredient pairings with snail mucin
Snail mucin is often used with other active ingredients to further enhance results and anti-aging effects. For instance, snail mucin pairs well with vitamin C for brightening skin and targeting any hyperpigmentation issues or dark spots.
“Snail mucin calms potential irritation from vitamin C,” Garshick explains, as its gentle approach soothes skin and protects against harsh exfoliation and brightening to fade hyperpigmentation.
Retinol and snail mucin are also often combined in topicals like face and neck creams to offset potential dryness, which can result from retinol use. Since snail mucin locks in moisture, it helps support skin barrier repair, secure hydration and manage dryness or irritation caused by retinol.
Snail mucin is known for its hydrating effects to moisturize and plump skin, leaving it dewy, soft and supple, and a good reason for its long-lasting power is that it’s often paired with hyaluronic acid in serums, creams, toners, face masks or eye gels, and more.
“Together, this doubles down on hydration, and using them together gives skin long-lasting moisture and a smoother texture,” Garshick says.
Niacinamide is another one commonly found in snail mucin skincare topicals for its calming and soothing effects on skin.
“Niacinamide combats redness, boosts barrier health and brightens skin, and snail mucin enhances these effects with added healing benefits,” Garshick says.
“While topical collagen has limited penetration, combining it with snail mucin enhances skin plumpness and elasticity,” Garshick says.
For instance, a moisturizer or cream that blends collagen and snail mucin, along with either vitamin C or retinol, might be ideal for face and neck.
The same goes for collagen from a vegan or plant-based source as an alternative to snail mucin containing similar skin ingredient pairings for an effective formula to also boost skin health and a more youthful appearance.
Vegan alternatives to snail mucin
This vegan alternative referred to as a slime barrier gel isn’t made with snail mucin but does have plant-based ingredients that are similar in properties and benefits to those of snail mucin.
“This product has plant-based ingredients like fermented vegan collagen, hyaluronic acid and mushroom extracts, which mimic the hydrating, soothing and barrier-repairing effects of snail mucin,” Garshick explains.
So, for those who are vegan, this slime barrier gel with moisturizing agents and vegan collagen is an excellent choice for maximizing those anti-aging benefits.
“While it doesn’t offer natural peptides from snail secretion, it’s a great cruelty-free alternative that delivers similar moisturizing and plumping benefits,” Garshick adds, which is essential for maintaining good hydration levels and locking in moisture.
Basically, if you’re looking to hop on the snail mucin trend but are vegan, read product labels to find keywords and ingredients that are often used with snail mucin and that promote anti-aging properties, hydration (as with hyaluronic acid), anti-inflammatory or calming effects, plant-based collagen for skin elasticity and health, vitamin C for brightening and dark spots, and retinol.
Consider discussing retinol use with a dermatologist to make sure your particular skin type can handle the dryness and rather harsh effects, especially when first using, until skin fully adjusts.
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