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Episode Title: Snail in K-Beauty Products – Ep-13
It’s one of K-Beauty’s favourite ingredients. And with its ability to help skin damage, actively hydrate and fight wrinkles it is little wonder! Today, on the Korean Beauty Show we’re taking a look at the truth about snail mucin.
Snail mucin naturally contains a whole heap of skin-friendly goodies, including proteins, elastin, glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid and copper peptides. Some of the benefits include:
1 Firstly, firming and tightening the skin
2 Secondly, giving plumper, softer and more youthful-looking skin
3 Reducing the appearance of scarring (from acne and pimples)
4 Reducing the appearance of uneven skin tone and redness
5 Finally, hydrating dry, dull, rough and taut skin
However, perhaps surprisingly (given how famous Koreans have made it!) the use of snails in cosmetics and medicine is not new or unique to K-Beauty.
The ancient Greeks knew that snail mucin could heal skin and also used it internally.
However, despite its many benefits to the skin, people often wonder how snail mucin is collected. In particular, is it harmful to snails?
Traditional methods of harvesting snail mucin were cruel. Snails were essentially dunked in pots of water with salt, vinegar or other chemicals to force them to excrete mucin.
Thankfully, the methods for harvesting snail mucin have changed considerably. These days, there are a variety of “cruelty-free” methods of snail production and slime extraction. In fact, research shows that the quality of the mucin itself depends on breeders keeping good environmental conditions for their snails.
As a result, breeders themselves regulate what the snails eat, how they are kept and how the slime is extracted. This also helps in certifying snail mucin products as cruelty-free.
In Italy, for example, snail mucin is extracted by immersing the snails in a special steam bath that acts like a spa for snails. The snails are not harmed in this process. In other farms, the snails are simply placed in an environment where they can move over a bumpy surface, because this causes them to make slime like they do naturally. The mucin is then harvested this way.
The land snail (achatina fulica) is one commonly used breed of snail. This is the one you’ll find in COSRX’s popular snail products.
Snail breeders who raise the snails.
Yes, it is possible for snail mucin to be cruelty-free.
The snail itself isn't harmed in the process, which makes it possible for Korean Beauty companies to obtain cruelty-free certification for their snail products.
The snail mucin used in Benton’s Snail Bee High Content Essence, Steam Cream and Mask is all certified cruelty-free by PETA. Similarly, COSRX’s Advanced Snail Cream and Essence are also cruelty-free.
It is NOT possible for snail mucin products to be vegan, because snail is the by-product of an animal.
Yes
The quality of the snail mucin can differ. However, the thing that makes the biggest difference is the concentration of mucin in the actual product. The higher the concentration, the better the results.
Some products, like COSRX’s Snail 96 Mucin Essence contain as much as 96% snail mucin. This means that the benefits of the mucin on the skin are maximized.
Other products, like Beauty of Joseon Snail Serum and APLB Healing Moisture Snail Cream combine snail mucin with other complimentary ingredient to improve the efficacy of the formula, which maximises the benefits for your skin.
You’ll find snail in a wide range of Korean Beauty products, from essences to moisturisers, face masks and even BB Cream.
Tips
1 To see maximum results, try using it for at least 2-4 weeks. This is the same as any new skincare product;
2 Snail mucin is suitable to use both day and night. It’s light enough to apply under makeup during the day.
Don’t be put off by the fact that it is mucus.
Despite its name, snail mucin is not gooey. It is most often light in texture, with a minimal to neutral fragrance. Due to its viscosity, it makes a great binding agent. It’s perfect to include as one of the final steps in your beauty routine when layering products.
You can expect the look and texture of ageing, damaged, acne-prone and/or scarred skin to be improved. This is because snail mucin supports skin health. It also replenishes moisture to increase skin’s firmness and suppleness.
1. APLB Healing Moisture Snail Cream is perfect to reach for whenever your skin becomes damaged or sensitive. It also works well on skin that is prone to breakouts, looks dull and lacklustre. It addresses a wide range of skin concerns, from pores and dull skin to acne and fine-lines.
2. Benton Snail Bee Set is the perfect pair to tackle blemishes, acne scarring and pigmentation. They work together to target the key signs of skin damage.
3. COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence – made with 96% all-natural snail secretion filtrate, this is a powerful treatment that transforms the complexion.
4. Missha Super Aqua Cell Renew Snail Cream – this moisturising cream from one of Korea’s best loved beauty brands works beautifully with dull, damaged, acne-prone, mature and scarred skins. It helps repair and improve the look and texture to give your skin a healthy, radiant glow.
5. SOME BY MI Snail Truecica is formulated with Snail Truecica™ which contains black snail, and 5 types of ceramide components. They not only strengthen skin’s barrier but softly moisturise skin as well.
6. Mizon Snail Mask contains Mizon’s signature snail mucin extract.
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