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The benefits of snail secretion filtrates/slime/mucin are appealing and it is not the gooey slime that you may think of. Snail slime is an extract from snail packed with nutrients that are beneficial for the skin. Apart from Snail slimes, K-Beauty is also known for using other “unconventional” natural ingredients such as Bee Venom, Starfish Powder, and Salmon Egg Extracts in their skincare products.
Snail secretion filtrates contain nutrients such as glycoprotein enzymes, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, antimicrobial and copper peptides. All these together increase skin hydration and improve the early signs of aging.
One of the core principles of K-Beauty is the early prevention of visible signs of aging. As such, K-Beauty lay emphasis on hydration, anti-aging and brightening effect which lead to their research on Snail slime.
What Is Snail Secretion Filtrate?
Snail secretion filtrate or slime or mucin is an extract produced by African giant land snails and the common brown garden snail. These snails are known for their antimicrobial and skin regenerative properties. You would find it labelled as snail secretion filtrate or SSF on products.
According to CosRx spokesperson, snail mucin is extracted when the snails are kept in the dark to move around for 30 minutes. The snails move around releasing their mucin behind. The whole process does not harm the animal. This is worth a try if you don’t mind the use of animal extracts.
The Benefits of Snail Secretion Filtrate In Skincare
1. To Treat Radiation Dermatitis
Radiation dermatitis is a form of radiotherapy that causes skin irritation. A Spanish scientist carried out a clinical study with acute radiodermatitis for 3 months and reported that Snail Mucin improved the signs of redness, itchiness and burning sensation.
2. It has antioxidant properties
Snail Mucin contains two powerful antioxidants which are; superoxide dismutase and glutathione s-transferase. These antioxidants scavenge free radicals that destroy collagen and elastin within the dermal layer of the skin. Thus improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Anti-aging Properties
Snail Mucin stimulates fibroblast formation. This is the cell that produces collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. In addition, they downgrade the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin thus improving fine lines and wrinkles.
A journal of Cosmetic Dermatology conducted research of 15 participants over the course of 3 months and they reported significant improvement in the skin.
If you enjoy K-Beauty and you don’t mind their use of “unconventional” use of natural ingredients, then this is worth a try.
The Best Products With Snail Slime
CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
This is one of my most favourite Essence which I am still using at the moment. You should apply this product after toners and before moisturizing. CosRx Snail Mucin Essence combines lots of skin goodies to ensure that you stay properly hydrated. The likes of SSF, butylene glycol, sodium hyaluronate and arginine help restore skin moisture and stimulate cells to produce collagen.
Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence
This product is a combination of Snail Mucin and Bee Venom. Bee Venom is another raved-about skincare ingredient that improves facial wrinkles. Aside from these duos, this product is packed with hydrating ingredients that ensure radiance and even skin tone.
Seoul Ceuticals Snail Repair Cream
This moisturizing snail mucin cream contains lots of skin-repairing ingredients that keep the skin barrier from damage. It also helps increase sell turnover for a clearer, healthier and even-toned skin. If you have sensitive skin, I suggest you do a patch test.
CosRx Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream
This eye cream contains 72% snail filtrate plus niacinamide, peptides and emollients to help with dark circles and eye puffiness. Since the skin around the eyes is usually oil-dry, the presence of sunflower seed oil, niacinamide, peptides and our superstar ingredient help supplement the lack of oil. As a result, the skin under the eye starts looking better and more radiant.
iUNIK Black Snail Restore Serum
This cream contains two highly concentrated ingredients such as snail filtrate and Centella Leaf Water to help calm and repair the skin. It also contains my favourite Niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate to hydrate the skin and make the skin look fresher and smoother.
Conclusion
Snail Secretion filtrate is a spotlight ingredient in K-Beauty which can be found in sheet masks, serum, and moisturizers. The ingredients in snail mucin have anti-aging properties that boost the formation of collagen and elastin in the dermis.
So far so good, my skin has benefited from Snail Mucin since I started using it. Have you heard of snail mucin before? Let me know what you think of it.
I read about the benefits of snail mucin before, and I have yet to try and products in my skincare, but thanks to your article, I will definitely add some to my next switch! Thank you for sharing x
Wow, that’s an exceptional read. I uncovered something great about wilds today. These little creatures produce impressive ingredients which is much demanded in today’s world, thanks for sharing those body care products, much loved!
Snails are incredible creatures. Not only are they used in delicacies, they are also beneficial to the skin. Thanks for reading
I once tried snail mucin product. It was long time ago. If I remember, it’s from Nature’s Republic. I tried it in South Korea. It was good.
That’s great, glad it worked for you
I have never of heard or this type of skin care. I would love to try out some of this products. Currently I have oily acne prone skin.
If you have oily skin, then you can use it just after your cleanser. But use very little of it so it doesn’t clog your skin.
Great post, very detailed and useful! Thank you for sharing this post! I didn’t know about this till now and it sounds really good! I would like to try it out because the benefits sound great!
I’m glad you found it useful, thank you for reading
I’ve never heard of this so this was such an interesting read. It sounds like there are lots of benefits and a number of products on the market now with Snail Mucin in them. Thanks for helping inform me about this with skincare!
So, I admit I was at first turned off by this because I thought perhaps the snails were harmed, but I love that the Mucin is harvested, so to speak, responsibly! I feel better about using anything with the Mucin in it already.
I had no idea it was a staple in most K-beauty products, but the eye cream and restore serum both sound helpful and nourishing.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Wow never heard for something like this, not sure I would
use it..
I’m so glad to hear the snails arent harmed! I’m not sure I could use this though as I have a bit of a snail phobia!
Corinne x
Haha, it’s fine. I just had to put this out there to help people understand the ingredients in skincare that goes on the skin
wow, I didn’t know they was so many benefits in it for skincare, very informative! Glad snails aren’t harmed for it though. Great post
I didn’t even know they put snail mucin into skincare! This post was so informative and beneficial. Thanks so much for sharing it!
I have used face masks infused with snail mucin before. These products sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I didn’t even know that this was a thing. Thank you for sharing your content with this information.
I’ve always wondered why this suddenly popped up! So thanks so much for sharing!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
I love that snails aren’t harmed when their mucin is harvested. This ingredient sounds great! x
That’s one thing to look out for and I’m also glad snails are not harmed in the process. Thank you for reading
I had absolutely no idea about any of this. I didn’t even know it was used in skincare! Really interested read – it has so many benefits!
Lovely post! I actually read a blog a few months back about snail mucin and was super intrigued! Love the you listed all the benefits. Thanks for sharing love x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
I never would have thought about snails and skincare. I have been reading more about k beauty and its so interesting to see the difference between America’s skincare and k beauty.
A whole lot of difference, K-beauty experiments and innovate everytime. Thanks for reading
Interesting read! But I have heard that a lot of people negatively react to snail mucin.Can you do a spotlight on its cons? Thanks.
Definitely, I will. Thanks for commenting