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Style > Beauty

How and Why I Use Snails In My Skincare Routine

Maia de Borja
Simi Bhangoo
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Alberta chapter.

What is Snail Mucin?

Snail mucin is the secretion left behind by a snail wherever they move. This ingredient has been utilized by many skincare brands, especially in the K-beauty community, for its multiple benefits. Snail mucin contains skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and glycoproteins. According to Cosrx, a Korean skincare brand, snail mucin “helps protect the skin from moisture loss while improving skin elasticity… [and] helps repair and soothe red, sensitive skin after breakouts by replenishing moisture.”

 

How do you use it?

Snail mucin can be found in several different skincare products from serums to creams. I use it in two different steps in my routine: essence and moisturizer. I use the essence after cleansing and toning my face along with my other hydrating serums. I follow my essence and active treatments with my moisturizer and use a facial oil to seal it all in.

 

My own results:

Having oily skin means I need to hydrate thoroughly to avoid excess oil secretion to compensate for my dehydrated skin. Ever since I have started incorporating this ingredient into my routine, I have noticed a decrease in my oil production that has been replaced by a non-greasy, healthy glow. 

 

Is it cruelty free?

As for most products, different brands will have different standards in regard to animal testing. Considering the fact that this ingredient is directly derived from an animal, however, means that companies must take extra steps to ensure that the snails are not harmed in the extraction process. According to Korean beauty blog “The Klog,” who interviewed representatives at Cosrx, “For Cosrx products, snails are placed over a mesh net in a dark and quiet room. As nocturnal creatures, the snails prefer this environment. For about 30 minutes, the snails are left alone to freely roam the net, leaving mucin in their trails.” In her blog post, it is emphasized that no external stress or harm is put onto the snails and that snails are returned to their homes after the extraction process.

 

I highly encourage those who wish to use this product to do their own research in regards to which brands and products they will be supporting in order to make a fully informed and ethical decision.

 

The products I have been using:

I found these products in the skincare section of my local Walmart, but they can be found online through Amazon or here:

https://www.cosrx.com/cosrx-advanced-snail-96-mucin-power-essence-1.html

https://www.cosrx.com/cosrx-advanced-snail-92-all-in-one-cream-1.html

 

 

 

 

Sources:

https://www.cosrx.com/cosrx-advanced-snail-96-mucin-power-essence-1.html

https://theklog.co/beauty-products-with-snail-mucin/

https://theoutline.com/post/4503/snail-mucin-farms-extraction-skin-care-heliciculture-ethics?zd=1&zi=rj3gop75

 

Maia de Borja

U Alberta '21

Maia (my-uh) is in her fourth year at the University of Alberta. She is working towards a Bachelor of Secondary Education with a major in English and minor in ESL. In her spare time you can find Maia studying with a chai latte close by, at the gym, at one of her three part time jobs,volunteering or exploring town with her boyfriend and friends (usually in the pursuit of good food!) You can follow her on Instagram at @maiadeborja
Simi Bhangoo

U Alberta '21

Simi is a senior at the University of Alberta studying Sociology and Religious Studies. She grew up in Houston Texas and lives by the saying “go big or go home”. She is currently Her Campus Ualberta's Editor in Chief and Campus Correspondent. School, volunteering, clubs, and work occupy most of her time. You can find her on Instagram at @simi.bhangoo.