After hearing so much about snail mucin skincare – snail mucin serums, largely – and their rejuvenating and collagen-boosting benefits, I decided to put them to the test and see whether they’re really worth the hype. But be warned: after you read about my experience, you may just be convinced to add the slimy stuff to your skincare routine.
This isn’t the first time that snail mucin has been buzzy as a skincare ingredient. Korean skincare has been formulated with snail secretions for decades; even before its first wave of popularity, the ingredient had been used for hydration and healing for centuries. Since it’s not some new-to-the-market, yet-to-be-tested fad, I felt more comfortable slathering it all over my face.
And to ease any concerns about the safety of the snails when it comes to extracting the mucin for beauty products, most brands have practices in place that do not harm the snails. Their mucin is excreted as a protective measure when they’re under stress, but it’s fairly easy to collect. CosRx places snails on a net and allows them to roam about, taking their leftover excrement after they’ve been removed and are safely back in their regular habitat.
Now that we’ve got past that frequently asked question, we can get on to my experience. I rounded up some of the top trending snail mucin serums, moisturisers and overnight masks from CosRx, Peach Slices, Missha, and Tonymoly and put them all to the test. Here’s what happened.
The first product I tried was the CosRx Advanced Snail All-in-One Cream because that was the one I’d seen the most buzz about on TikTok. The product definitely lived up to my slimy expectations. It didn’t have much of a scent, though, and didn’t feel too weird to put on my skin. First, I had to remove the protective cover, which was a little difficult because of the cream’s sticky consistency.
I noticed clearer skin
I had been struggling with several cystic spots ahead of giving my snail regimen a go, so I was a bit hesitant about trying something new. However, after using these products, I actually think that they had a hand in helping my skin clear up because my breakout subsided after I started on my snail journey. The morning after I first tried the CosRx moisturiser, I noticed a big difference in the size and inflammation of the active spot I had been dealing with on my jawline. I would have been way more sceptical and considered this a coincidence had I not known about the healing, exfoliating, and moisturising properties that snail mucin has.
My skin was dewy and smooth
I began using the CosRx cream every night, and each morning, without fail, I would wake up to super smooth skin that I truly haven’t experienced with any other product. The best way that I can describe it is that it leaves my skin feeling like velvet. The real litmus test was whether it moisturised the chronically dry skin under my chin — and it did! Unfortunately, it’s something that I have to use daily or nightly; when I don’t, my skin goes back to feeling the way it had.
In addition to the CosRx cream, I was using the brand’s Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream, which has more of a gel-cream consistency and doesn’t feel sticky at all. I can’t say that I’ve seen much of a difference from using that, but it’s a lovely texture that definitely hydrates my under-eyes and wears well under makeup.
It wears well under makeup
Not only are the snail products I’ve been using good to apply before bed, but they work just as well during the day and under makeup, too. I tried the Peach Slices Snail Rescue All-in-One Oil Free Moisturiser, but it was a little too lightweight for me, so I opted for its Snail Rescue All-in-One Deep Moisture Cream instead. (The oil-free version would be great for someone who has oily skin and likes more of a water-cream texture.)
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