Why Is Snail Mucin in Hype?

By admin April 26, 2020 Skin Care Articles 0 Comments

Snail Mucin in Action

Ask any Korean lady who cares about her skin, and she will know what snail mucin is. But what made it so famous? In fact, snail mucins are not only popular in Korea, but it has also taken a toll worldwide in the skin care industry. International brands are starting to create their own versions of snail mucin serums, essences, creams and all that jazz. It is widely known as a versatile ingredient for Korean Skincare products and also claims that it is suitable for all skin types.

In recent years, I realize the Korean skin care companies have added more product lines that feature this ingredient. Mizon and Cosrx are two of the popular brands that produced products that people are raving about. Quite recently, Some by Mi has released a snail mucin line too that features acne-control properties. And for that, it must really be some sticky gold.

When Did This Snail Mucin Hype Start?

Even way back to Greek times, our ancestors have been using snail slimes to help treat certain illnesses such as stomach aches, body pain, and skin inflammation. For a fact, it was noted that Hippocrates himself had incorporated crushed snails into patient’s skin ailments. But the big question is, in these modern times, what caused this study to flourish?

To make a long story short, it all started when snail farmers from Chile observed that their hands were softer and smoother. Farmers also noted that whenever they get cuts or wounds, their wounds tend to heal faster and scars fade quickly too. These farmers were harvesting edible snails to the French food market, from there, this phenomenon has piqued interest for a lot of researchers. And voila! Here we are enjoying the benefits snail mucin gives to our skin.

What is Snail Mucin?

Ever watched a snail crawl on a surface? You know it doesn’t have legs; how do you think it moves? Well, its bottom secretes a mucus-like slime that lubricates the surface, making it easy for the snail to glide over. Snail mucin is also known as Snail Secretion Filtrate.

It is a thick mucus-like fluid that contains glycolic acid, protein, and elastin. The snail secretes this fluid for the following reasons: to ease movement, as a response to pleasure or agitation, and heal itself when injured. Researchers have proved that snail secretes more slime when they are relaxed and stress-free.

To specify what type of snail is harvested for skincare products, most commonly it is the Cryptomphalus aspersa mollusk, better known as the brown garden snail.

Now snails secrete mucin from different glands. Each gland gives various benefits that target specific problems.

Mucinous gland produces restoration and regenerative effects.
Albuminous gland produces antibiotic effects
Salivary gland produces a penetrating effect that will help in cleansing your pores.

How Is Snail Mucin Secreted?

Snails are not harmed when their slime is harvested. We all know that their slimes are left in their trails, right? So, they will just crawl around, and then harvesters will collect them afterwards.

There are quite a few methods to mention, but the most common way is to place the snails in a dark room and lay them over a net or mesh. They will be left there, crawling around overnight. This net will serve as a container for the harvesters to collect right after.

Some also use methods like giving them a spa or a warm bath in salted water, definitely relaxing in my opinion (haha). However, know that slimes are naturally slow movers so harvesting their slime takes pretty much long time. To ease that long process, snails are always well pampered and taken cared of to optimize mucin production.

Harvesters always maintain a comfortable environment for the snails because when snails are stressed-out, they do not produce the mucin that’s beneficial for the skin. Instead, they secrete a foamy lather which is their protective reaction when they feel endanger or preyed.

Benefits of Snail Mucin?

Snail mucin offers numerous benefits, not just one. Why do you think it’s so popular? Everyone is talking about it in the beauty industry. Here are some of the incredible benefits your skin can enjoy from this fluid.

It Reduces Aging Effects

No one ever wants to grow old, maybe just a few. But do you know that you can still grow old and look five years younger? It’s now possible. This ingredient has a way of straightening wrinkles and removing blemishes to achieve that tight and younger-looking skin. Some people who use snail mucins have observed that their fine lines have also faded over time.

It speeds up the production of collagen, the main component of your skin that is responsible for skin’s elasticity. Collagen is the secret to firm, healthy skin, and snail mucins encourage your skin to produce more. Snail mucin also has hyaluronic acid that reduces the visibility of fine lines. Say goodbye to dull skin!

2. It Treats Acne Problems

Some types of harmful bacteria are responsible for the acne on your skin. But thank goodness, this snail secretion filtrate has remarkable antimicrobial properties that fight the bacteria on your skin. It helps to kill the acne-causing bacteria and keep them at bay, leaving you with clean and healthy pores.

It has anti-inflammatory properties too. A big help if you want to minimize having those big reddish inflamed pimples popping from your face. The external environment could bring a lot of dirt and bacteria to your face. Snail mucin could help in protecting your skin from these harmful factors such as air pollution.

It is a Natural Skin Exfoliator

Snail mucin is the mildest and the gentlest exfoliating product you could ever use for cleansing your skin. Packed with glycolic acid, this will help you remove dead cells and unclogs the pores, hence preventing breakouts. It is the most comfortable way of exfoliating the skin.

It doesn’t even dry up your skin when you exfoliate! As previously mentioned, snail mucin contains hyaluronic acid that acts as a humectant which helps in maintaining your skin hydrated and moisturized. This will serve as your skin’s moisture barrier to keep your oil production in check. Always remember, if your skin is dehydrated, it will produce more oil to compensate for water loss, which might lead to overproduction of sebum resulting in acne.

It Creates an Even Skin Toner

See those little scars you have from healed acne? It seems that snail mucin can fade them away. Snail mucins also have healing and regenerative properties that help in fading scars. It has a perfect way of dealing with blemishes and hyper-pigmentation on the skin. It hydrates the skin, giving it a chance to repair any damages on it.

It is non-irritating too! So, if your skin is really sensitive, this might help you calm your skin. It will reduce the redness and irritations you might have from everyday exposure to external factors.

Snail Mucin in Korean Skin Care

The use of this new ingredient in skin care has mainly been adopted in Korea. Some products contain up to 96% of snail mucin.

Don’t be tempted to take a live snail and put on your skin. Not a dead one either. The best option is to purchase refined products that contain high percentages of snail mucin. The snail slime in the final skincare products has undergone a thorough process of refining and removing impurities. That’s why you should buy them and not use a real snail.

The good news is that no snail gets hurt in the process of slime collection. The snails release more slime when happy. So, breeders treat them with care.

There are reviews on Cosrx Advance Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and Benton Snail Bee High Content Mask that I have personally used. Feel free to read so that you are better equipped when choosing products that contain snail mucin.

The use of this new ingredient in skincare has mainly been adopted in Korea. Some products contain up to 96% of snail mucin. However, fun fact, raw snail slime actually contains 91% -98% of water. Snail Mucin products have undergone a long process of filtration and mixing with a lot of ingredients. So, the chemical properties from the snail mucin itself will be balanced out and you would also get added benefits from other ingredients too!

Don’t be tempted to take a live snail and put on your skin. Not a dead one either. The best option is to purchase refined products that contain high percentages of snail mucin. DIY Snail Mucin or DIY Snail Spa is a big NO-NO because you might end up harming the snail and use the wrong mucin for your skin.

The snail slime in the final skincare products has undergone a thorough process of refining and removing impurities. That’s why you should buy them and not use a real snail. The good news is that no snail gets hurt in the process of slime collection. The snails release more slime when happy. So, breeders treat them with care. Let the experts handle all the complicated stuff. This way, you will be ensured that your skin will get benefits, and at the same time, there’s no harm done to the snails.

Are You Thinking Of Buying A Product With Snail Mucin?

Now, you have to remember this. Always patch test. Your skin might find the Snail Mucin too overwhelming. To compensate, apply and lather very lightly to your skin so your skin will be more familiar with the mucin. Apply a little bit on certain areas first before you pack it all over your face. Add little by little as the day pass up until you know the amount of product that’s appropriate for your skin.

Korean Products With Snail Mucin :

The Benton Snail Bee Hydrogel Eye Patch contains Saccharomyces/Snail Secretion Filtrate Ferment Filtrate, Bee Venom and seaweed extracts that hydrate the eyes. It makes the eyes bright and supple.

The Cosrx Snail Peptide Eye Cream is a light cream that helps to reduce dark circles and puffiness. It contains 72% of snail secretion filtrate, 5 types of peptides and niacinamide.

With its 80% snail slime filtrate from Jeju, 10ppm of gold, botanical components of camellia, green tea, citrus and fig extracts, the TonyMoly Prestige Jeju Snail Essence absorbs quickly into the skin. Jeju camphor tree extract and the special polypeptides restore elasticity to the skin.

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