Snail mucin in skincare: benefits and how to use

We begin our presentation of active ingredients with one of the most recognizable ingredients in Korean cosmetics, snail mucin, also known as snail filtrate, snail serum and snail slime. As the name suggests, snail mucin is a secretion produced by snails, the mucus they use to keep their skin moisturized.

Snail musin is an intriguing ingredient because although it is listed as one ingredient, it actually contains at least six different ingredient components; glycoproteins, enzymes, antimicrobial peptides, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid and zinc. Each of these ingredients has its own benefits in skin care, and since they are all part of snail musin, you get the benefits of each in one ingredient. In addition, all these ingredients are naturally part of the composition of the snail serum, so they also work seamlessly together.

The advantage of zinc is its ability to keep bacteria under control, and together with antimicrobial peptides, they reduce skin inflammation. Snail musin also boosts collagen production in the skin and effectively moisturizes and repairs the skin's protective layer thanks to glycolic and hyaluronic acids. In addition to these, etanamusin contains, among other things, copper peptides that enhance collagen production and reduce wrinkles, manganese and vitamins A and E, which are excellent sources of antioxidants.

The benefits of snail mucin in skin care in brief

• Moisturize
• Balances the function of the skin's protective layer
• Enhances collagen production
• Soothes inflammation and skin irritation
• Anti-inflammatory
• A source of antioxidants

Who is snail mucin suitable for?

In practice, snail serum is suitable for all skin types, skin types prone to dryness and acne especially benefit from it. However, as with any ingredient, you can also be allergic to snail musin, so if you are allergic to snails, we recommend avoiding snail musin in skin care as well. Snail musin also does not block skin pores, and due to its antibacterial and scar-fading properties, it is a good addition to the treatment of acne-prone skin.

When should you use snail serum?

This depends on what you hope to achieve from using the ingredient. Many use snail mucin for it moisturizing properties therefore, it should be included in the skin care routine, especially in the evenings in the form of a night cream. At night, the skin gets the best use of the moisturizing and repairing benefits of the product. Then add snail musin containing cream as the last step of your skin care routine, after any facial lotion, treatment liquid, ampoule and serum. If you're hoping for a snail serum anti-aging benefits, we recommend looking for the ingredient in the form of a serum, where the ingredient is present in the product in higher concentrations than in creams.

Our recommendation for a night cream containing snail mucin: 

• [Cosrx] Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream cult product that suits everyone
• [Mizon] Snail Wrinkle Care Sleeping Pack effectively moisturizing night mask
• [Some By Mi] Snail TrueCICA Miracle Repair Cream also suitable for irritated skin

Our recommendations for anti-aging snail serum:

• [Coxir] Black Snail Collagen Serum ideal for aging skin
• [Mizon] Snail Repair Intensive Ampoule this ampoule has a nice light texture

With which active ingredients can snail musin be combined?

So far, no active ingredients have been found in studies with which snail serum could not be combined. It works well as a partner for retinol, vitamin C and glycolic acid, for example.