Snails leave behind their secretions when they move through glass or mesh, which is used to make products like creams, serums, and essences.
Everyone desires clear, healthy skin, even if it means covering it in snail slime. The mucus that the sluggish, tiny creature leaves behind when it crawls by is, in fact, the newest innovation in exotic skin-care products.
The substance, which is officially known as snail mucin, has long been a favorite in South Korea, which some people believe to be the most progressive and inventive nation in the beauty industry. It has now spread to other nations, including the United States.
Discover more about what snail mucin is, how to use it, and how to include it in your skin-care routine in this article.
What is Snail Mucin?
Snail mucin is a complicated mixture of proteins, enzymes, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides, antimicrobial peptides, iron, zinc, and proteoglycans chemically.
Wondering how someone may initially come to the opinion that snail mucin is beneficial for the skin. In the 1980s, workers at a snail farm in Chile discovered that their hands were excessively soft and attributed this to the snails.
It’s a significant industry nowadays. By 2025, it is anticipated that the snail mucin skin-care industry will reach $770 million. Snails are often kept in a dim environment while being allowed to glide down a surface that may catch their slime, such as glass or mesh.
Snail Mucin’s Potential Health Benefits
Moisturizes Skin
For those with dry skin, products containing snail mucin could be an excellent option. The skin barrier is strengthened and moisture is kept in, according to board-certified dermatologist Anna Chacon, MD, of Miami. “It contains hydrating characteristics that serve to keep moisture in,”Â
Hyaluronic acid, which instantly moisturizes the skin. While there is little study on snail mucin, hyaluronic acid is well known for its moisturizing properties. Following application, hyaluronic acid serum boosted skin hydration by 134% and improved skin plumpness, smoothness, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Combats Early Skin Aging
Snail mucin promotes collagen, and according to anecdotal reports, it may help reduce some of the symptoms of aging skin. This is probably great news for the condition of your skin and for anyone who wants to seem younger. According to earlier research, fine lines and wrinkles became less noticeable after 12 weeks of using a serum containing 40% snail mucin.
The mechanism in this instance could be the glycolic acid found in snail mucus. encourages the production of collagen, which not only minimizes wrinkles and fine lines but also gives your skin a radiant, young glow.
Reduces the Risk of Skin Cancer
According to some preliminary studies, snail mucin may also be effective in treating skin cancer. According to a study published in May 2018 in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, snail mucin might help fight melanoma cells.
Aids in Wound Healing
If you have a cut or scrape, snail mucin could be useful. Snail mucin is particularly known for its healing properties since studies have shown that it speeds up the healing of wounds and reduces the visibility of scars. According to Ahmed Chaudhry, MD, a dermatologist and consultant with Scandinavian Biolabs located in Islamabad, Pakistan, it may also aid with acne as a result of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Snail Mucin’s Different Forms
Snail mucin has been included in a variety of methods as it gained in popularity. The most typical are listed below:
Snail Mucin Serum
Choose a serum if you want the most snail mucus. According to Chacon, a serum will have a higher concentration of snail mucin if you wish to use it as a multipurpose anti-ager.
Snail Mucin Essence
An essence is a liquid substance with a thin consistency. If you’re new to skin care or want to try the snail mucin craze, Smith believes it’s a beautiful place to start.
Snail Mucus CreamÂ
The component is also included in creams or moisturizers. The cream should be heavier if wrinkles are an issue. A thick cream will make sure your skin is reaping the benefits of snail mucin while simultaneously nourishing it with added lipid input.
Snail Mucin’s possible side effects
There are no negative effects to be conscious of when using snail mucin. However, it’s always a good idea to test a product on a tiny patch of skin if you have sensitive skin to ensure that you won’t have any side effects.
Conclusion
There is no denying that snail mucin is an effective skin care ingredient, but additional study is needed to demonstrate the full range of its advantages, according to Chaudhry.
There are now no adverse side effects to be aware of; instead, there are a lot of positive possible outcomes, such as moisturized, younger-looking skin. It is thought to be safe to take while pregnant and could even help you manage skin issues. However, if you have a medical problem or are pregnant, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor.
