When it comes to skincare, many products have been on trend for the last several years. And after trying multiple products, I can definitely say that the benefits of snail mucin win the game. Yes! You read it right. Snail mucin, the slimy secretion from snails.
To be 100% honest, maybe just 2-3 years ago, I wasn’t even aware that people were actually putting snail mucin on their faces and it’s also working well. Like many of you, the idea of slapping snail mucin on the face didn’t seem very appealing to me at first. But why judge something before giving it a try? So I decided to use it to see what all the buzz was about. And trust me, after using it for the last 2 years, now I can completely understand why it has taken the beauty world by storm.
If you are someone interested in this most hyped product, maybe this article is for you. In this article, I am going to discuss the myriad benefits of snail mucin for skin. But before proceeding further, let’s just briefly learn what exactly snail mucin is and why you should feel interested in a snail mucin product in the first place.
What is Snail Mucin?
Snail mucin is basically the residue left by snails. Have you ever seen how a snail walks or slides to say more accurately? When the sliders glide over the surface, they release a sort of mucus or slime which protects them from tissue damage, minimizing the friction.
Now the question is why do we humans put it on our faces? Snail mucin has actually been used for thousands of years as a form of treatment or skin care, but it gained garnet attention when the snail farmers from southern Chile noticed how exceptionally soft their hands felt after handling these snails. Slowly but surely, brands started utilizing the possibilities of this fascinating ingredient by incorporating it into their products.
How is Snail Mucin Collected?
This is interesting. Snail mucin is collected by putting the snails on a particular net, straw or textured material. The snails are allowed to move freely over the materials. Snails produce the highest mucin in a healthy and comfortable environment. So brands, for their sake, ensure that the snails are not harmed or stressed in any way during this process.
Benefits of Snail Mucin
The mucin itself is not a single ingredient. It’s a collection of ingredients. The mucin contains hyaluronic acids, peptides, glycolic acids, zinc and glycoproteins. Each of these ingredients separately is very beneficial for the skin. And when you get them in a combined form as snail mucin, it just works wonders for your skin. Let’s have a look at some of the key benefits of snail mucin.
Hydration and Moisture Retention
There aren’t a lot of studies on snail mucin as a skincare product but evidently, it’s an excellent humectant. Snail mucin has a really complex mix of long-chain sugary molecules which are responsible for its stringy texture and hydrating properties. It helps to attract and lock in moisture, which makes it an excellent choice for dry skin types.
Skin Repair and Regeneration
The growth factors and glycoproteins present in snail mucin accelerate skin cell repair and regeneration. It helps to heal wounds, reduce acne scars, fade hyperpigmentation and result in smoother, more even-toned skin.
Anti-ageing Benefits of Snail Mucin
As we age, our skin’s ability to produce collagen and elastin declines and what’s the result of it? Fine lines and wrinkles. Peptides present in snail mucin stimulate collagen production. On the other hand, the presence of antioxidants such as allantoin and glycolic acid helps to combat free radicals and promote collagen production. Which helps to improve skin elasticity and firmness over time, and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
Soothing and Anti-inflammatory
Snail mucin has anti-inflammatory properties which make it suitable for sensitive and irritated skin. It also helps in various skin conditions like eczema and rosacea to calm the redness and soothe irritation.
Non-comedogenic and Suitable for All Skin Types
The best thing about snail mucin is that people with any skin type can use it without any side effects. Despite its rich texture, snail mucin is non-comedogenic. It doesn’t clog pores or cause acne breakouts. So whether you have oily skin or dry, you can go for it without any hesitation.
Improves Skin Texture
Regular use of snail mucin can result in smoother, softer skin with a more refined texture. It enhances the skin’s natural glow and promotes a healthier complexion overall.
Forms of Snail Mucin Available
Whether you are looking to hydrate, repair or rejuvenate your skin, there’s always a snail mucin product suited to your needs. You can find snail mucin in various forms like cleansers, essences, serums, moisturizers, sheet masks, eye creams, spot treatments etc. You can use any of them according to your preference or your skincare concern.
How to Layer Snail Mucin with Other Active Ingredients?
Snail mucin doesn’t really react with other active ingredients. So you can layer a snail product with other products like vitamin C, retinol, niacinamide etc. if it suits your skin. But I personally prefer not to layer them together. Because active ingredients work best when used on a dry face directly and snail mucin works best when applied on a damp face directly. But if you are too afraid that the active is too strong like if it’s a retinol, and you want to create a barrier between this and your skin, you may put the snail product first and then apply the active product.
Is Snail Mucin Safe for The Skin?
Snail mucin is generally considered safe for all skin types and less likely to cause any breakout. But still, no harm in being careful. If you are someone with a known allergy to shellfish, there’s still a chance to get sensitivity from snail mucin as there’s a slight chemical similarity between snail mucin and shellfish. So I always suggest a patch test before incorporating any new ingredients in your skincare routine.
Is Snail Mucin Safe to Use During Pregnancy?
Is snail mucin safe to use during pregnancy? The good news is yes, it is totally safe. But still, as there aren’t a lot of studies on snail mucin, so it’s always better to consult with a dermatologist before using it. After all it’s about the baby and we won’t take any risk here.
Wrapping Up
So does this article convince you to try snail mucin products? I hope it does. If so, let’s embrace the wonders of snail mucin and remember to love the skin you are in.
