The Slimy Truth Behind Snail Mucin

What is snail mucin and how is it extracted?

Snail mucin is a skin care ingredient that has almost tripled in popularity over the past two decades. This ingredient is produced as a byproduct of the mucus secreted by snails.

Previously, this ingredient was extracted by killing the snails. However, in recent years, advanced technology has been developed in order to extract the mucus in a more ethical way by stimulating the snails using a machine or by allowing them to glide over mesh to collect the mucin. The mucin is then processed to form a filtrate and mixed with other ingredients to produce the final product. 

How is it used in skincare?

Snail mucin is packed with antioxidants and growth factors to repair and moisturise the skin. Research has shown that this ingredient is effective in improving skin texture and wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. It is also very beneficial in repairing damaged skin and calming inflammation which is why it is often used after laser treatments for recovery. 

How to incorporate it into your routine

Snail mucin is best used at night in order to allow your skin to reap the hydration benefits for as long as possible. It is suggested to be used as the final step of the routine, layered over other treatment products such as toners and serums, allowing it to help lock in the moisture into your skin. Snail mucin is very gentle ingredient and products often don’t come with other strong active ingredients, making it suitable to be used every night.

Could it be overhyped?

With its more recent growth in popularity, snail mucin does not actually have a large body of scientific research behind it. Some say that use of the product does improve skin texture by instantly adding hydration and plumpness to the skin. However, whether those effects are lost lasting enough to see effective results in the long run is still debatable.