Creating a buzz as snail slime, snail mucin is one of the buzz-creating moisturizing agents in the skincare world. If you are having a sudden expression of shock, Yes, it is the snail. There is an ick factor that is involved in becoming the effective ingredient that will make it a great counterpart for the best skincare for women.
Before we get to know in detail what snail mucin is, let’s get to know some quick facts about it. Snail mucin is the type of ingredient that is used as a moisturizer and collagen booster for skin care. It does have many beneficial properties that provide hydration and moisture to your skin and is suited for all skin types. Let’s delve into details to know about snail mucin better.
What is snail mucin?
Snail mucin is derived from the excretion of a snail. In many face masks, you will see that it is written on the labels as SSF or snail secretion filtration. The product is naturally created by snails in a way to protect themselves.
It is one of the best products that is used in the Korean skincare regime followed by offering noticeable results. One thing that you need to know is that this is one such product that does not secrete when the snail moves. It is a substance that is secreted when the snail is undergoing too much stress. It is made up of hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid as well as glycoproteins which are highly beneficial for human skin.
What is snail mucin good for?
Snail mucin is good for people who are looking to get deep hydration and nourishment for their skin. It tends to have hydrating, antimicrobial, antioxidant and wound healing as well as anti-ageing properties.
The buzz of the use of this product has come into existence when brands and beauty influencers have been making the popularity of Korean beauty products. One of the most common ingredients that are put to use in their products is snail mucin. It is rather well processed and becomes a sanitized version of the snail mucin that is used in skin care products in the form of masks, hydrating serums as well as moisturizers to get glowing and dewy skin.
Snail mucin before and after

What is snail mucin made of?
Snail mucin is made of some important compounds that give way to natural skin healing factors. This includes collagen and Elastin proteins, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides, antimicrobial properties, antioxidants, glycolic acids, allantoin and much more. All of the above components are highly beneficial for your skin rooting for many benefits.
How is snail mucin harvested?
The traditional methods of extracting snail mucin were cruel and harsh. Thanks to modern technology and thinking, this is not the case anymore. Of all the products that you will be using which have this particular ingredient in them, you are to be sure that they are labelled as “Cruelty-Free”.
Snails are placed over the mesh net. This is done in a quiet dark room. Known as nocturnal creatures, snails tend to have a comfortable space for roaming around freely.
For almost an hour, they are kept over the net. Post that, they are then transferred back to their homes. The mucin is then collected from over the net and processed for further use.
They are taken back to the farm and kept for nearly two months. This is because they can eat and become stronger for the production of more snail mucin. This process thus doesn’t harm them rather they will be undergoing the natural process of regenerating more slime.
There is no form of external stress applied to garner the snail mucin. And there are a proper set of reasons for it. First, they are prohibited from manufacturing and testing in Korea. Secondly, the proper way of fetching the optimal mucin is only possible when the snails are well-rested and content.
What is snail secretion filtrate?
Snail secretion filtrate is produced when the snail is naturally under stress. They are provided with ample sources of ingredients that are added to the product for treating and benefiting the skin. This includes hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, copper peptides and even inches of zinc and iron.
Do not confuse it with just taking in the original silvery slime secretion directly on your skin. The mucin is then properly filtered to put along with the other compounds well so that it will not pose a threat to your skin but rather be very beneficial for you.
Snail mucin skin benefits
Calling it snail slime, snail secretion filtrate or even snail mucin, this amazing ingredient is packed with benefits for your skin. It has the presence of all the best nutrients for your skin including hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein, proteoglycans, antimicrobial properties as well as copper peptides. It serves as the best skincare hack for your skin as it protects you from the harmful UV rays of the skin, and protects you from skin infection as well as from drying.
Here are some of the other benefits that you should know about using snail mucin on your skin –
1. Anti-ageing properties
According to experts, when snails are placed under mild stress conditions, they tend to secrete this thick fluid for protecting themselves.
That mucin is beneficial for human skin. It works as a hydrating agent and prevents ageing. This further boosts in improving wrinkles, treating dry skin, boosts protein production like collagen and elastin and even protects your skin from free radicals.
Furthermore, it protects your skin from damaged tissues and soothes your skin.
2. Fading Scars and Stretch Marks
The snail mucin has two compounds that help in boosting tissue repair and promote rapid cell renewal.
One of them is fibrinolysis enzymes. It helps in cellular nourishment for the skin. The other is glycolic acid. This helps in acting as a natural exfoliant that helps in facing away scars, fine lines and wrinkles.
Furthermore, it has anti-inflammatory properties for scar and acne treatment. It helps in softening your scars and damaged tissues followed by skin cell regeneration. Snail slime has little or no oil, thus, you will be able to see the changes within 2-4 weeks.
3. Killing Bacteria
Snail has the will to kill the bacteria that act as an active participant in causing acne in your skin. With the consistent use of this mucin, you will see that the bacteria is prohibited leading to lessened or no acne.
4. Treating Acne
If you are suffering from a major acne breakout, snail slime is the one for you. It does have natural antimicrobial properties that help in fighting acne bacteria.
Furthermore, it also has glycolic acid that helps in preventing breakouts through skin exfoliation, removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores.
5. Gives Hydration
One of the many ingredients in snail slime is hyaluronic acid. It has water molecules that work as the best slime ingredient to provide hydration to the outer skin layers.
The slime contains 98 percent the water that is best suited for dry skin and people battling with wrinkles and fine lines.
6. Protection Powerhouse
Snail slime is filled with powerful properties – hyaluronic, copper peptides, proteoglycans and glycoproteins.
It acts like this powerhouse that helps in making your skin glow, preventing wrinkles as well as fine lines.
7. Promoting skin health
Snail mucin has many healthy benefits. It does have the ingredients that help in nourishment, soothing and moisturizing your skin.
The SS benefits help in skin stimulation through allantoin helps in healing, anti-irritation as well as giving soothing proteins to your skin. It helps in giving the skin nutrients for improving the texture of our skin.
How to use snail mucin?
Using snail mucin on your skin completely depends on the skin complexion that you have. You need to understand what you want to acquire from that ingredient to your skin.
According to experts, most people like using snail mucin for its moisturizing benefits. They use it in the form of night cream. Before going to bed, you can grab the opportunity to bless your skin with hydration along with restorative and regenerative properties.
Cleanse your skin with a mild cleanser. Apply it every evening after this. You can even use toner or serums to let it seep deep in.
Now, if you are using it for multi-purpose, it is better to opt for serum and face masks. They do have a higher concentration of the ingredient. Apply the serum every morning and night right after cleansing your skin and before the application of other products.
Side effects of snail mucin
There are not many details about the side effects of snail mucin. In case you are allergic to snails or mollusks, you should not use the product on your skin. Whether or not you are allergic to snails, it is better to conduct a patch test before thoroughly using the ingredient.
Conclusion
Snail mucin is well tolerated with all types of skin and their tones. It is good for everyone, especially for people who are looking for deep hydration. Kudos to the presence of hyaluronic acid and the allantoin content, there is so much to take in from this single ingredient. If you are placing it in your daily skincare regime, it turns out to be a game-changer for treating a damaged skin barrier.
FAQs
Is snail mucin good for your skin?
Yes, snail mucin is good for your skin. It acts like a multifaceted moisturizer that helps in reaping loads of skin benefits.
Why do Koreans use snail mucin?
Koreans tend to have wrinkle-free, glowing and hydrating skin. Snail mucin helps in all of these that give them younger-looking skin.
How often should you apply snail mucin?
This completely depends on why you are using the product/ingredient. If you want multiple benefits, try using it every morning and night after cleaning your skin.
What does snail mucin do?
Snail music helps in moisturizing your skin, it helps in providing deep hydration. Apart from this, it helps in promoting the production of collagen and helps in skin healing and regeneration.
Are snails harmed by snail mucin?
No, no snails are harmed by snail mucin. The process is natural. Snail is not given external stress as it is completely banned in Korea.