Ingredient Guide 6 min read

Snail Mucin for Skin: Why We Love Snail Secretion

Which ingredient has COSRX loved the longest? Snail secretion (mucin). Why do so many people around the world love it, regardless of skin type, climate, gender or age? Let's find out what makes snail mucin so special.

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Snail Mucin for Skin: Why We Love Snail Secretion

By COSRX R&D Center

Key ingredient: Snail secretion filtrate (up to 96%)
Best for: All skin types, including sensitive
Top benefits: Repair · Hydration · Soothing
Pairs well with: Peptide, AHA/BHA, Retinol

What is snail secretion?

Snail secretion is secreted by the glands of snails, and it protects the surface of the snail's skin and moisturizes to prevent it from getting dry.

This role of secretion is very important and essential for delicate skin of snails. Snail secretion consists of complex glycoproteins that combine various types of sugar, protein, and amino acid, including water.

In particular, most of them consist of water and also include small amounts of active ingredients, which play a key role in the effects of snail secretion.
[Reference] Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 2010, 25, 460–66

It is seemingly different, but snail secretion and our skin actually has very similar ingredients.

Just as snail secretion protects the snail's body, our skin is part of the body and also plays a role in protecting the body.

Our skin is subdivided in layers and the inside is filled with various components.

Key components include collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, and glycosaminoglycan, which are also found in the snail secretion mentioned above.

In other words, the appearance is very different, but there are many similar ingredients in our skin and snail secretion.
[Reference] Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 2010, 25, 460–66

Therefore, snail secretion is consistently used as a skin-friendly and beneficial ingredient, and it is considered as the representative ingredient that is safe without irritation.

In addition, it is also easy to use with various ingredients because of its mild ingredient that is not complicated.

All-round Effects of Snail Secretion(Mucin)

1. Skin Renewing (Remodeling) Effect

As getting older, skin cell activity naturally decreases, and early aging is also deeply related to this skin cell activity.

Snail secretion(Mucin) has a skin regenerative effect that accelerates the activity of fibroblast and keratinocyte, which are kinds of skin cells, and quickly fills up with new skin cell.
[Reference] Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2009, 20, 219–222

2. Effects of Improving and Soothing of Damaged Skin

Long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays can damage the skin, and repeated exposure can lead to weakening skin with skin redness and stinging.

Snail secretion(Mucin) calms damaged, roughened, and reddened skin, helping the skin recover again and making it to normalize quickly.
[Reference] Radioprotection, 1999, 23, VII, 34-38

3. Effect of Improving Pigmentation

Exposure to ultraviolet rays is also a major cause of pigmentation. It stimulates melanin cell that is deeply in the skin to make melanin pigment and expose it to the surface of the skin.

Snail secretion(Mucin) has the effect of reducing pigmentation by preventing not to produce melanin pigment from melanin cell.
[Reference] Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2018, 101, 871–880

4. Skin Protection and Antibacterial Effect

Not only ultraviolet rays but also various harmful substances, bacteria, and viruses outside can have a bad effect to worsen on the skin.

Snail secretion(Mucin) can protect the skin from these harmful factors, and especially its excellent antibacterial effect can protect the skin from external contamination.
[Reference] Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, 1987, 72, 3, 571-574

5. Improving wrinkle and elasticity

The amount of skin's essential components such as collagen and elastin produced on their own in the skin gradually decreases, and as they gradually decrease, this results in reducing skin elasticity and saggy wrinkled skin.

Snail secretion(Mucin) has effects filling inside skin, improving elasticity, and lessening wrinkle by increasing the amount of collagen and elastin in the skin.
[Reference] Journal of Japanese Cosmetic Science Society, 2015, 39, 1, 1-6

Introducing COSRX's Snail Products

Like this, COSRX has products that contain high concentration of snail secretion(Mucin) which has various beneficial effects on our skin.

Let me introduce you to COSRX's representative products ‘Advanced Snail’ which has been loved worldwide for a long time.

There are four basic skincare products from the Advanced Snail line.

Each product contains the maximum amount of snail secretion(Mucin) that can be mixed by any types. (Contains minimum 73.6% up to maximum 96%)

The snail ingredient in COSRX provides an optimal environment that is harmless to snails and is produced through friendly extraction for minimizing stress.

In addition, we have tried to reduce the frustration and add moisture so that consumers of various skin types can use it.

If you're curious about the benefits of snail products, We recommend you choose COSRX Advanced Snail products.

COSRX Advanced Snail

Q. What skin type is recommended to use?

A. All skin types can use it because snail slime is gentle without irritation.

Q. Can acne skin also use it?

A. Yes, acne skin can use it. However, the severe acne skin that needs treatment is recommended to use it after consulting with a doctor.

Q. Can I use it with AHA/BHA exfoliator?

A. It can be used together. Snail slime helps moisturize and protect the skin, so if used after exfoliation, it can help soothing and replenishing moisture on the skin.

Q. Can I use it with vitamin C products?

A. It can be used together. When used with a vitamin C serum, you can feel incredibly brightened skin.

Q. Can I use it with retinol?

A: It can be used together. When used with COSRX's 「The Retinol 0.1 Cream」 or 「The Retinol 0.3 Cream」, you can feel noticeably smoother skin.

Q. Can pregnant and lactating women use it?

A. Yes, it is safe to use. Snail slime, which consists of similar ingredient to our skin, is a skin-friendly ingredient and can be used safely.

Snail secretion(Mucin), which satisfies various skin types with various effects, is deserved to be the longest and most loved product, right?

For those who didn't know that snail secretion(Mucin) has such various effects, it would be good to take this opportunity to experience it.

By. COSRX R&D CENTER

Written by the COSRX R&D Center. This guide is for general skincare education and is not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult a dermatologist.

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