Snail mucin has become highly popular on social media, with an explosion of TikTok videos on how to use the skincare ingredient, as well as a range of reviews trending on the APP. In fact, interest in snail mucin has seen a 196% growth rate over the past year, currently registering 135,000 searches per month on Google Ads.
This post will cover what snail mucin is, its benefits, potential side effects, the best types of products, and which type of customers would benefit from incorporating the ingredient into their skincare routine. So read on for an ultimate buyer’s guide to snail mucin in 2024!
Table of Contents
What is snail mucin?
Top benefits of snail mucin
Potential side effects of snail mucin
Best types of snail mucin products
Which customers would benefit from snail mucin?
How customers can include snail mucin in their skincare routine
Is snail mucin worthwhile for your customers?
What is snail mucin?
Snail mucin, also referred to as snail slime, is the mucus that is naturally left behind when snails move. Snail mucin has been used for inflammation, anti-aging, wound healing, and the treatment of dry skin in the past, and the ingredient has grown in popularity today. Snail mucin is harvested by having snails roam around a dark room on a mesh or glass surface. The snails are then removed and transferred to their home. The mucin is scraped off and processed into snail secretion filtrate. Due to snail mucin being an animal byproduct, the ingredient is not vegan, but it is generally cruelty-free and ethical.
Top benefits of snail mucin
The ingredients found in snail mucin are good for the skin. Several of the ingredients in snail mucin are hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, collagen, and copper peptides. These ingredients work together to hydrate the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve the texture of the skin. Here is a breakdown of these top ingredients:
Hyaluronic acid: The hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid can help with dry skin and eczema flare-ups. Hyaluronic acid can also soothe rosacea and psoriasis symptoms.
Glycolic acid: Glycolic acid exfoliates the top layers of the skin, which brightens and improves aging skin. Glycolic acid also has antibacterial properties that can help those with acne by reducing acne scars and preventing breakouts.
Collagen: Collagen is a popular ingredient found in anti-aging products as it improves the elasticity of the skin and gives the skin a more youthful appearance.
Copper peptides: Copper peptides in snail mucin can help reduce hyperpigmentation including dark spots, acne scars, and redness from inflammation. Furthermore, copper peptides can calm sunburn and repair damaged skin.
Customers who regularly use snail mucin will likely see the long-term benefits of hydrated skin that appears youthful and has an improved texture.
Potential side effects of snail mucin
Despite the numerous benefits of snail mucin, there are potential side effects that customers should be aware of. Snail mucin should not clog pores or cause acne breakouts. However, like with any skincare ingredient, it is possible to have an allergic reaction and irritation if your customer is allergic to snails.
Sensitive skin can also react negatively to snail mucin, especially from the exfoliating properties of the glycolic acid. Snail mucin can cause inflammation and irritation and exacerbate existing acne for sensitive skin. Therefore, it is recommended to do a patch test first on a small section of the skin before applying the snail mucin to the face.
Best types of snail mucin products
Snail mucin can be found in various skincare products, including the following:
Cleanser and face wash: There are cleansers and face washes that include snail mucin as one of the ingredients. The cleansers and face washes remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities while hydrating the skin and protecting it from moisture loss.
Toner: Toners with snail mucin are used to smooth and clear the skin. The toners can calm acne, reduce redness, and hydrate the skin.
Serum: Snail mucin serums moisturize and smooth the skin and soften fine lines and wrinkles.
Essence: Essences are more lightweight and less concentrated than a serum, and they absorb quicker into the skin than a serum. Snail mucin essences hydrate the skin, provide anti-aging benefits, and improve skin texture.
Ampoule: On the other hand, ampoules are more concentrated than serums. Snail mucin ampoules provide deep hydration and powerful anti-aging benefits.
Cream: Snail mucin creams retain the skin’s moisture, brighten and smooth the skin, soften fine lines and wrinkles, and reduce inflammation and redness.
Sunscreen: Though not as popular as other snail mucin products, there are sunscreens with added snail mucin. The sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays while moisturizing the skin and providing anti-aging benefits.
Face mask: There are both wash-off masks and sheet masks that contain snail mucin. Wash-off masks can hydrate dry skin, brighten and rejuvenate the skin, reduce redness and inflammation, and clear blemishes. Sheet masks with snail mucin are used to hydrate and nourish the skin.
Eye cream: Along with face products, there are snail mucin products that are targeted for the eye area. Snail mucin eye cream moisturizes the under-eye area and reduces the appearance of dark circles and fine lines.
Eye patches: Eye patches are similar to face sheet masks, but they are specifically for the under-eye area. Snail mucin eye patches hydrate, plump, and brighten the under-eye area.
Which customers would benefit from snail mucin?
Snail mucin is generally beneficial for customers with all skin types. Snail mucin is great for dry skin as it provides long-lasting hydration and moisturizes the skin. Customers with oily skin may not notice as much of a hydrating benefit, but they can benefit from the other properties of snail mucin such as brightening the skin or smoothing the skin’s texture.
Customers with acne-prone skin can greatly benefit from using snail mucin because snail mucin can reduce acne scars and redness from inflammation. Also, snail mucin is beneficial for customers with aging skin as the skincare ingredient improves elasticity and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. However, customers with sensitive skin should do a patch test first to ensure the snail mucin does not irritate the skin.
How customers can include snail mucin in their skincare routine
Snail mucin can be used every day by your customers either once or twice in their morning and evening skincare routines. It is recommended to start using the snail mucin once a day to see how their skin responds. Customers can increase the use to twice a day in the morning and at night if their skin responds positively. If your customer experiences negative reactions to the snail mucin, they should reduce or discontinue the use of the product.
However, the type of snail mucin product your customers use will determine what step of their skincare routine they will use the product in. If they are using a snail mucin essence, serum, or ampoule, they should first wash their face with a cleanser and then apply toner. Next, they will apply the snail mucin to damp skin and wait for the product to absorb before following with a moisturizer. If your customer uses a snail mucin face wash or cleanser, that should be the first step of their routine while a snail mucin toner would be used after a cleanser. A snail mucin cream should be the last step of their skincare routine.
Is snail mucin worthwhile for your customers?
Snail mucin is a trending skincare ingredient that would be fantastic for your customers to incorporate into their routines. Snail mucin products have numerous benefits from hydrating and brightening the skin, providing anti-aging effects, and reducing redness and inflammation, which makes snail mucin generally beneficial for customers of all skin types.
