Snails have long been known to be these slow little creatures, but they have been quick to become such popular commodities. Historically popular as delicacies for Greeks and Romans, snails have, in recent years, gained a name in the skincare industry for their mucin. Oils, face masks, essences, and creams, skincare brands in Korea and Japan such as COSRX and Mizon have created lines of products centered on this snail mucin. With advocates naming snail mucin as the reason for healed scars, acne, and overall better skin, the popularity of snail mucin in the skincare industry has continued to rise. 

Where is snail mucin found? Snail mucin—the snail’s slime—is the snail’s growth factor that is responsible for healing wounds and repairing tissue (Chadwick). It is the type of snail slime that is produced for protection and not the one that the snail leaves as it moves. This regenerative effect is beneficial for the snail in its ability to heal itself when injured.  Snail mucin is marketed by dermatologists and popular skincare brands as an ingredient that is anti-aging, anti-acne, and anti-scar. 

How snail mucin is actually able to do all these skin improvements is due to its contents of proteins, hyaluronic acid, elastin, peptides, glycolic acid, antimicrobials, and antioxidants (Ferguson). These substances presumably allow for the better hydration, soothing, and health of the skin. Its highly concentrated protein and water-soluble polymers solution pulls the skin back which provides anti-wrinkle results. Snail mucin is also said to induce collagen production alongside the glycolic acid that boosts collagen and allantoin that stimulates cell regeneration (Chadwick). 

Snail mucin, however, is not promoted by some studies to help treat scars despite its claim of being anti-scar. Its clinical research is thought to be too little to claim its ability to heal scars against the clinically-proven silicone gel for scars (Biodermis). This lack of clinical research has also put a question on its actual effectiveness in its other claimed improvements on the skin such as healing acne and reducing wrinkles. Studies that support these claimed improvements are only small-scaled ones (Saner). Therefore, any improvements from snail mucin could not be definitively concluded to be substantially different to other skin care ingredients (Saner).

What is the future for using mother nature as our skincare? The market for snail mucin as an ingredient in skincare products is continuously growing larger and larger. Perhaps with this, more studies will be done to improve the scientific explanation of the benefits of snail mucin. The idea of applying something a snail produces onto your face may be disturbing and even disgusting, but one day, research may prove all of its benefits. One day, it may  become part of so many peoples skincare routine.

References:

Biodermis. “Why You Shouldn't Use Snail Mucin for Your Scars.” Why You Shouldn't Use Snail Mucin for Your Scars | Biodermis.com, www.biodermis.com/why-you-shouldnt-use-snail-mucin-for-your-scars-s/280.htm.

Chadwick, Melanie. “Here's Why You Should Be Putting Snail Slime On Your Skin.” Byrdie, Byrdie, 27 Sept. 2019, www.byrdie.com/snail-mucin-for-skin-4768132.

Saner, Emine. “Are Snail Slime Products Worth Shelling out for?” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 6 Feb. 2017, www.theguardian.com/fashion/shortcuts/2017/feb/06/snail-slime-beauty-products-worth-shelling-out.