Is snail mucin the key to good skin?

No longer just a food delicacy, snails – or more specifically snail mucin – are gaining traction in skincare. So what is it and would you put it on your skin?

Skincare has a longstanding relationship with unconventional treatments and ingredients, with everything from bird poo and semen to blood platelets being popularised over the years.

And now, it seems, snail mucin has emerged as yet another peculiar ingredient touted as a wonder treatment for maintaining youthful skin.

So, what is snail mucin?

It might be a relatively new addition to western skincare, but snail mucin is hardly a new discovery.

Known for its healing properties, the ingredient has been used in Korean, Japanese and Chilean skincare for the past decade and its medicinal use dates to ancient Greece.

“Korea truly is a country of innovation, so they tend to be at the forefront of skincare research and combine it with traditional practices,” skinfluencer Iain Jeffery says.

Iain says people are willing to look past the “ick” factor of certain skincare products, provided the results speak for themselves.

“It took us longer to come around to snail mucin purely because of the fact it’s snail secretion,” Iain says.

“Generally, western skincare is slow to embrace niche skincare trends.”

How is snail mucin used in skincare?

As its name suggests, snail mucin refers to the slimy mucus naturally secreted by snails that they often leave in a trail.

Snail mucin is used by snails as a way to protect themselves, and humans use it in a similar capacity on their skin, with claims the extract can help moisturise skin, promote collagen production and aid in skin healing and rejuvenation.

Due to the slimy consistency of snail mucin, an essence formulation is one of the easiest ways to use the ingredient in skincare, however snail mucin-infused face masks and moisturisers are also gaining popularity.

Iain is an avid user of the ingredient, having first discovered the product back in 2013.

“It’s been part of my routine for a long time; I love the fact that it’s naturally rich in so many compounds, like hyaluronic acid and amino acids,” he says.

“This means that not only is it a deeply hydrating ingredient, but it also helps to soothe skin and help it bounce back from damage more quickly.

“I think it offers so much more than a traditional hydrating ingredient and to me the claims really match up with the results.”

How is snail mucin harvested?

It’s extracted from snails in various ways, including specialised steam baths, and is usually produced in an essence formulation.

If you’re worried about snail welfare, snails do not produce high quality mucin if they’re unhappy, according to Iain.

“This is why snail mucin is extracted at specialised snail farms where they’re kept well fed and in their ideal conditions in order to produce the best quality raw material.”

Is snail mucin backed by dermatologists?

When it comes to the skincare benefits of snail mucin, Queensland dermatologist Dr David Lim isn’t entirely convinced.

“There is some scientific evidence to support these claims from many studies over the past 20 years or so, but I think the reason snail mucin has experienced a resurgence is because western cultures are embracing Korean skincare, which uses the ingredient extensively,” Dr Lim says.

“The other reason it’s gaining popularity is because of the green skincare movement, which is seeing customers place more importance on where their skincare ingredients are sourced and how natural and organic they are.”

Dr Lim doesn’t have an issue with the ingredient being used in skincare, but he doesn’t prescribe it to his clients.

“There’s been a lot of lab studies on the ingredient, especially when it comes to wound healing, but what it really needs is some robust human trials,” he says.

Until it has that clinical backing, Dr Lim recommends naturally derived ingredients like niacinamide and azelaic acid, both of which are dermatologically backed and packed with skin benefits.

Written by Charlotte Brundrett.

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