Snail Slime For Skin Care?

If I haven’t completely freaked you out the eff out with the title of this post, stay a while and listen! (Anyone get that reference? :P )

Snail mucin is what snails use to heal their bodies from cuts when they’re traveling over rocks and rough surfaces–in skin care products, it helps to replenish moisture + support cell regeneration, whichĀ aids in fading acne scars + reducing hyperpigmentation.Ā In clinical trials, the hyaluronic acid + peptides in snail mucin have been shown to stimulate the production of elastin + collagen.

Snail Slime For Skin Care?

No makeup or filter. Just me and my snail slime. >_>

No makeup or filter. Just me, my snail slime, and my phone’s front-facing camera at the end of a long, long day.

As I discussed in last week’s post, I think it’s important to know what’s in the products you’re using and how to design a skin care routine that addresses your concerns. My main skin care issues are from occasional hormonal acne that results in acne scarring (sigh), and dryness in the winter.

One of myĀ #treatyoself moments this yearĀ led to me finally putting together an actualĀ skin care routine by way of BeautySesh,Ā a small company located in Aiea, Hawai’i that specializes in offering Asian beauty/skin care products at affordable prices! (P.S. This is not a sponsored post.)

(It used to be just cleanser, maybe-toner, moisturizer and done.)Ā If you’ve ever heard of the 10-step Korean Skin Care Regimen, I basically altered that to fit my needs. (I swear it’s not as complicated as it sounds!)

Traditionally, it’s these steps:

  1. Oil-based cleanser
  2. Water-based cleanser (Double-cleansing)
  3. Exfoliate
  4. Toner
  5. Essence
  6. Ampoule
  7. Serum
  8. Sheet mask
  9. Eye cream
  10. Moisturizer

Ain’t nobody got time for that though, ..right?Ā I certainly didn’t think I would, given myĀ usually-horrible schedule, so I picked up a couple products during a sale on BeautySeshĀ and slowwwwly incorporated em’. I’m so not a morning person, so this is part of my winding-down process at night (vs. my daytime “routine,” which consists of splashing my face with water + slapping on some sunscreen or BB cream…).

I actually got a snail mucin sheet mask about 3 years ago out of curiosity and was going to blog about it but the trials and tribulations of med school continued, so I never got around to it (so what else is new? :[ ). Better late than never though…?

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Power Essence | @fairyburger

The snails COSRXĀ uses aren’t harmed for their mucin other than being in captivity (but considering that they’re often thought to be pests, this arrangement mightĀ actually be better for em’?). TheĀ snails are washed and the mucin is collected after they roam around freely in a dark box for ~30 minutes to 1 hour.Ā No external stressors are used to force mucin production since animal testing is illegal in Korea and optimal mucin production only happens when snails are well-rested and comfortable.

This “essence” has a gel-like consistency that’s perfect as a day moisturizer or as a lighter nighttime moisturizer. 96% of it is snail mucin and the rest of the ingredients = moisturizing agents. My skin went a little bonkers while I was studying for boards and my nightly use of this has really helped to calm it the hecks down! I can’t speak for anti-aging properties at this point since I’ve really only been using it for a month, but I definitely do feel an improvement in my skin’s overall hydration status!

5/5.Ā $19 onĀ BeautySesh

COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream

COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream | @fairyburger

This is similar to the Power Essence, with a number of the same ingredients, but in a thicker consistency (cream vs. gel-like). It’s unscented and super moisturizing without leaving my skin looking oily or shiny!Ā I love and adore this cream, enough that I’m not sure I’m going to be looking for another night cream for a while.

This cream is 92% snail slime and leaves my skin superrrrrr crazy soft (the kind of softness where you can’t stop touching your face) without making it feel weighed-down or oily. It comes with a little spatula for hygienic purposes and a little bit goes a long way. I think it’s going to be especially perfect for winterĀ since my skin tends to get pretty dry then. I’ve been alternating with this vs. the above one depending on how dry my skin’s been feeling (and how much little water I’ve been drinking ._.).

5/5. $17 on BeautySesh

 

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid | @fairyburger

Salix alba (willow) bark water, butylene glycol, betaine salicylate, niacinamide, 1, 2-hexanediol, arginine, panthenol, sodium hyaluronate, xanthan gum, ethyl hexanediol.

This one has absolutely nothing to do with snails, so if you’re looking for non-snail products and have issues with intermittently inflamed skin and/or blackheads, this will be your best friend! Willow bark has been used for its anti-inflammatory effects since around 400 B.C. and contains salicin, a chemical very similar to aspirin (remember my DIY honey aspirin mask?).

This is a chemical exfoliant that helps to prevent breakouts, clear dead skin cells, and minimize the appearance of pores–gentle enough for everyday use (at least in my experience)! I use 1-2 pumps of it onto one of my reusable cotton rounds almost every night after my cleanser + toner and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling super dry. My nose used to be where blackheads liked to appear and this has drastically reduced em’! :]

4.5/5 (I wish it were cheaper). $20 on BeautySesh.


  • Have you ever tried any skin care products with snail mucin?Ā If not, would you ever? :P
  • Want to try out a new skin care product?Ā Get 10% off at BeautySesh using my referral link!
    This is not a sponsored post, but I do get a whopping 100 (which equates to ~$2.50, har har) reward points if you make a purchase using my link. Mainly just sharin’ the wealth with this post + yay for supporting small companies!

Permanent link to this article: https://www.fairyburger.com/snail-slime-for-skin-care/

18 comments

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  1. This sounds… interesting. I am SO lazy about skin car. I do the basics and sometimes just use soap and eye cream. I have all the things… but I need to USE them!

    1. I had that same problem! x_x I kindasortamaybe “fixed” the issue by convincing myself to not buy anything new til I finished all stuff I already had. (I’ve only been marginally successful with this but it’s the thought that counts?)

  2. I’ve never heard of this stuff before, but it sounds great!
    Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…5 Inspiring Reasons to Love Fall RunningMy Profile

    1. It’s rather awesome! <3!

  3. Oh gosh, I’ve never heard of this before! That’s great that Korea doesn’t test on animals though, and it sounds like the products work really well!
    ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Currently October 2017 + Fall Bucket ListMy Profile

    1. I’m really glad they don’t too! I’m all for cruelty-free products that work well and are affordable! :D

  4. This sounds interesting but I’ll be honest and don’t hate me, nope nope, I just cringe thinking about putting snail slime on my face LOL I’m not a fan of snails, and wouldn’t have cared if they do harm them in the making process LOL but that is cool they don’t!
    But very cool you were able to not let the snail thing bug ya and give it a try and discover you love it!!!
    RunawayBridalPlanner recently posted…Confessions, Whiplash, Decisions, and a MarathonMy Profile

    1. haha, I wouldn’t hate you just for that! Most people aren’t a fan of snails (which is why I feel they’re arguably living a better life with this company, haha). It’s a lot like just regular moisturizer but with a slightlyyyy “stickier” consistency. :P!

  5. I hate snails…ahhh, I’m such a weirdo about them. It’s actually like the one creature I’m truly afraid of. Spiders I can handle….snails, NO WAY. Silly, I know. But I don’t know if I could get past it…
    Jamie King recently posted…The art of being beautiful…My Profile

    1. That’s not weird at all! Everyone has something that they’re not cool with! I’m terrified of centipedes and millipedes, hahaha. :P

  6. I am the absolute worst about facial moisturizers (and I don’t think snail mucin will be the thing that gets me to be better at it, lol). The rest of my skin gets really dry in the winter so it’s hard to forget moisturizer, but for some reason my face never gets all that dry.
    Hannah recently posted…You don’t have to make it harder.My Profile

    1. My skin definitely gets really dry in the winter too–my face doesn’t quite turn into desert status, but still could use some help! :P

  7. I am a moisturizer fiend but am so terrified of snails… I would need to not know what’s in this to try it!

    1. hehehe, sometimes ignorance is bliss! ;P

  8. My Korean friend got me into these awesome face masks w snail slime! it works apparently
    Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder recently posted…Roast Duck Bao BunsMy Profile

    1. Agreed! I’m surprised at how well it works! :]!

  9. Snail mucin?! ? Does it smell or feel different? Or itā€™s just a tiny bit? I canā€™t imagine how they get all that snail slims… do they just setup a little snail race track? Haha
    Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Recent Things: Pumpkin Spice Peanut Butter & ProgressMy Profile

    1. It doesn’t smell different, but the consistency of the moisturizer is a tad bit different than the ones I usually use (slighhhhtly “slimier,” for lack of a better word :O ).

      That’s an adorable mental picture, ahahaha. <3
      Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: October 2017My Profile

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