Have you ever heard about snail mucin or its uses? 

One of the most talked-about beauty ingredients in the Korean skincare industry, which has also become popular in American and European skincare, is snail mucin.

Snail mucin, also known as snail mucus, slime, or extract, is the secretion snails produce when they are active.

Read on to discover some fascinating facts about snails and the benefits their gooey substance has for your skin!

What are snails?

Gastropods are a group of animals that do not have backbones. The gastropod family mainly consists of snails, which have shells. Slugs are also considered gastropods but have lost their shells through evolution.

Gastropods can be found in all three major habitats: saltwater, freshwater, and land. In some places, certain rapidly multiplying species of snails cause damage to crops and gardens, but most gastropod species are beneficial to humans.

When did humans start using snails?

The use of snails by humans dates back to the Age of Pericles or Classical Greece. During that time, the famous physician and the Father of Western Medicine, Hippocrates, reportedly used the combination of crushed snails and sour milk to treat skin inflammation.

It is also said said that the French used snails in skincare in the 18th century.

The Mapuche tribe, who are natives of Southern Chile, are constantly exposed to extreme weather conditions, yet have skin that is soft and moisturized. They have been using snails to treat their skin long before snail farming started in Chile.

The use of snails in skincare in Chile was rediscovered in the 1980s when snail breeders were amazed at how remarkably soft their hands were after handling snails for the French market. This led to the debut of Chilean snail cream which contains 80% snail mucin.

For others, snails serve as a gastronomical delight. Snails are most famously known as the fancy French delicacy called escargot, which consists of snails cooked and served as an appetizer.

In recent years, snail spas started to become popular in Thailand. Living farm-bred snails are put on a person’s face and left to glide. This process leaves slime all over the face and neck that then penetrates the skin. It has become one of the most sought after attractions for thrill-seeking tourists. 

The snail spa craze has found its way to other beauty conscious neighbors like Japan and South Korea. South Korean skincare and cosmetic companies started adding snail extracts to their products such as serums, moisturizers, creams, and facial masks.

Today, many edible snails are raised in farms and exported to different parts of the world for food and skincare. 

What kind of snails are used in skincare?

There are about 55,000 species of snails worldwide, as they can easily adapt to different environments. However, only edible snails such as Roman snails and garden snails are used in skincare products. Some skincare companies also use giant African snails.

These snails thrive best in open forests, stonewalls, vineyards, shrubbery, riverbanks, farmland, streams, agricultural areas, and gardens.

They have flat, muscular feet that allow them to move in a gliding motion while releasing mucus or slime to minimize friction and prevent damage to their skin and tissues.

DIY snail treatment and DIY spas are not advisable due to a variety of environmental conditions such as sanitation that might affect the potency of snail mucin. Snails used in spas and skin care products are professionally raised and purified.

How is snail mucin collected from the snails?

Heliciculture or snail farming is the process of raising edible snails in farms for food and cosmetic purposes. 

Due to the sudden rise in demand for snail mucin, snail farming has expanded tremendously in recent years to supply the skincare and culinary industries.

Older extraction techniques required submerging the snails in saltwater or in water with vinegar, but companies now have innovated newer techniques that do not harm the snails.

One company reports using special extracting machines that do not hurt or injure the snails. After the extraction process, the snails are returned to the farms, where they are well-fed to ensure they are strong enough for another extraction after two months.

Snails are nocturnal animals, meaning they are active during the night. Other companies cultivate snails in dark and quiet cable cages with dry straw, dry wood, net or mesh. The snails are free to move all over the straw or mesh, leaving mucin, which is later collected.

There is no external stress or pressure applied on the nets to make the snails produce mucin.

The snails reach optimal mucin production when they are healthy, strong, and in a comfortable environment.

The snail mucin undergoes a process that purifies and stabilizes it to make it more potent for cosmetic and skincare use.

For those looking to maximize the benefits of ingredients like snail mucin, combining at-home skincare with professional treatments can be highly effective. Clinics like McRae Plastic Surgery offer advanced skincare treatments that work in synergy with such products, helping to address deeper skin concerns and enhance overall results.

What are the benefits of snail mucin to the skin?

Snail mucin is abundant in antimicrobial peptides, allantoin, glycolic acid, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes, copper peptides, and Vitamins A, D and E making it a great addition to cosmetics and skincare products.

Snail mucin helps maintain a clean and clear complexion. The natural exfoliating properties of glycolic acid in snail mucin help remove dead skin cells, resulting in smoother and more luminous skin.

Proteins, peptides, and antioxidants in snail mucin work together to promote a glowing and vibrant skin appearance.

Hyaluronic acid in snail mucin helps strengthen the skin's barrier, drawing moisture from the environment and locking it into the skin for lasting hydration and reduced appearance of fine lines.

Hyaluronic acid helps the skin look plump and youthful, enhancing the overall hydrated and healthy appearance of your complexion.

Consistent use of snail mucin products can lead to a smoother and softer skin texture, enhancing the skin's overall feel and look.

YEOUTH Advanced Snail Mucin 95 Cream is a lightweight cream enhances the skin's natural moisture barrier, leaving it feeling soft, supple, and revitalized.

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Lightweight for daytime and nourishing enough to moisturize the skin overnight, YEOUTH Day/Night facial cream is your 2-for-1 mega face cream! 

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED SKINCARE PRODUCTS WITH SNAIL MUCIN? WHAT BENEFITS HAVE YOU NOTICED? SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.