Snail mucin: what it is and what this cosmetic ingredient is used for

Mucin or snail slime is one of the most fascinating ingredients in the cosmetics industry.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
19 March 2024 Tuesday 11:03
10 Reads
Snail mucin: what it is and what this cosmetic ingredient is used for

Mucin or snail slime is one of the most fascinating ingredients in the cosmetics industry. It is a compound found in the secretion of snails, specifically in the mucosa that these mollusks leave as a trail when they move. This ingredient, which has emerged as one of the biggest beauty trends in South Korea, has a large number of benefits for our skin. We detail them below!

Snail mucin has a high content of allantoin, a compound that stimulates cell regeneration in the skin. This ability makes it a useful ingredient when treating problems derived from acne, stretch marks or skin imperfections, as it helps repair damaged tissues and reduce scars, without clogging pores. Its light texture and rapid absorption make snail slime a compound that is easy to incorporate into a wide variety of products such as creams, serums, gels or masks suitable for all skin types.

Another function of snail slime is to hydrate the skin. Its hyaluronic acid content helps retain skin moisture and keep it flexible and soft. Snail mucin also contains vitamin E that helps calm skin irritation and inflammation and reduce redness.

One of the most notable benefits of snail mucin is its ability to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin in the skin. These two are essential proteins to prevent the appearance of wrinkles, spots and expression lines. The retinol contained in snail slime is an antioxidant that fights free radicals and prevents cellular aging, which helps maintain the elasticity, shine and firmness of the skin. On the other hand, glycosaminoglycans (GAG) are sugars that help plump and hydrate the skin and give it a younger, smoother appearance.

Among the ingredients in snail mucin are also copper peptides, a natural compound with illuminating properties that protect the skin against external aggressions and help reduce the signs of photoaging.

Snail mucin can be combined with the application of other skin care products with ingredients such as Vitamin C, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and other moisturizing agents.