Korean skincare is known for using some pretty interesting ingredients in its products. While they may be unusual, they are proven to have a number of benefits that can improve your skin and give you a healthy glow. One ingredient taking over the skincare world, snail mucin, has people curious about what makes this icky slime so great. Snail mucin was made popular in Korean skincare and has proven incredibly beneficial as a moisturizer for your skin. Let’s dive into the grimy details of the snail slime and why it works.
What is Snail Mucin?
Snail mucin is almost exactly what it sounds like. It’s the excretion from those tiny, slimy snails. While it may sound gross, it’s becoming more prominent in the Korean skincare routine. Snail mucin also referred to as snail slime or snail secretion, has a lot of nutrients that have a long list of benefits for the skin.
The excretion of the snail gives off elements that include glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and antioxidants to naturally hydrate and nourish the skin. These naturally occurring ingredients are all well known to the beauty industry to help hydrate, plump, restore collagen, and soothe the skin.
The snail and slug slime usage dates back all the way to ancient Greece when it was used to help reduce inflammation and as an anti-aging cream. Although the Chileans integrated snail mucin into skincare in the 1980s, the ingredient was brought into the spotlight by the rising surge of Korean beauty.
The Benefits of Snail Mucin
There are a lot of benefits of snail mucin in many beauty products, and it is gentle enough to use on all skin types. It has hydrating properties that make it a great option for drier skin. This powerful ingredient is a multi-tasker that takes on a lot of skin-boosting properties. The benefits of adding snail mucin to your skincare routine including:
- Moisturizing the Skin – Snail mucin has moisturizing ingredients that help repair the skin’s barrier sealing in moisture while keeping irritants out.
- Soothes Irritation – One of the key elements in snail secretion, allantoin, has healing properties that soothe irritation and reduce skin inflammation.
- Packed with Vitamins and Minerals – Snail mucin is packed with a lot of great natural vitamins and minerals that work wonders on your skin, including vitamins A and E, copper peptides, zinc, and manganese.
- Stimulates Collagen Production – Due to how snail excretion is extracted, the snail mucin has ingredients that repair and protect skin that triggers collagen growth.
- Anti-Aging – The anti-aging properties of snail mucin are thanks to the stimulation of collagen and the vitamins and minerals absorbed by your skin. It can help you reduce your wrinkles and achieve a youthful glow.
Snail mucin is a staple in Korean beauty products and can be a multi-purpose, skin-boosting part of your daily skincare routine. While snail mucin has already been proven beneficial to your skin, many companies are still researching the full effects and benefits this little natural slime can provide.