Okay-beauty launched many people to the world of snail mucin, promising a path to radiant, glass-like pores and skin. With so many TikTok and Instagram influencers endorsing this development, it appeared like the proper answer for reaching that coveted glow. Whereas touted as a miraculous ingredient that may work wonders in your pores and skin, there are some essential features to contemplate earlier than you hop on the bandwagon. 

From moral considerations about how snail mucin is harvested to potential allergic reactions, this product has been dealing with fairly a little bit of backlash in latest months. This product guarantees light hydration, pores and skin safety, a lift of collagen, and diminished irritation, however complaints of antagonistic reactions, equivalent to breakouts, fungal zits, hives, and tiny brow bumps are working rampant throughout social media. This raises the query: how can such a seemingly light ingredient trigger so many points? Whether or not you’re contemplating steering away from snail mucin because of allergic reactions, moral considerations, or a common aversion to sticky, slimy substances (gross!), here’s what I imagine (as a product formulator), are the professionals and cons of incorporating this product into your magnificence routine. Let’s get into it!

What Is Snail Mucin?

Snail mucin, also referred to as Snail Secretion Filtrate, is derived from snails, or mollusks (organisms that reside inside a shell). This secretion incorporates a posh composition, together with polysaccharides, nutritional vitamins A, C, and E, collagen, elastin, proteins, allantoin, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and different useful elements which might be believed to supply a variety of skincare advantages. From hydrating the pores and skin to selling collagen manufacturing and soothing irritation, snail mucin has garnered consideration for its potential to handle varied pores and skin considerations. 

What Is The Moral Dilemma Surrounding Snail Mucin?

Whereas snail mucin has turn into a stylish product promoted at each flip, it’s necessary to contemplate the moral implications of its manufacturing course of and the potential dangers related to its utilization. To be clear, this mucin just isn’t from snails simply crawling round– these creatures are burdened or wounded to stimulate mucin secretion, which is then collected for skincare use.

In contrast to animal merchandise like beeswax, the place the extraction just isn’t solely innocent to the animal however is even deemed vital (to allow them to replenish their hive), snail mucin extraction is a wholly pointless and painful course of. This course of has raised moral considerations, particularly for these prioritizing animal rights.

What Are The Advantages Of Snail Mucin?

Regardless of the moral considerations, snail mucin boasts a variety of potential advantages for the pores and skin. Snail mucin is primarily useful in serving to restore moisture and enhance pores and skin texture, making it significantly interesting for people with dry or dehydrated pores and skin. Furthermore, the presence of AHAs in snail mucin can contribute to light exfoliation, selling a smoother, extra radiant complexion.

Moreover, snail mucin is believed to help in pores and skin restore and regeneration, probably accelerating the therapeutic course of for zits scars and different pores and skin imperfections. With its supposed capability to assuage irritation and cut back redness, snail mucin has gained a following amongst these looking for to handle delicate or irritated pores and skin considerations– however let’s dive into why I don’t assume this can be a good concept. 

Why Are Some Individuals Experiencing Damaging Reactions?

Just lately, an inflow of damaging evaluations has been circulating claiming that snail mucin is inflicting reactions equivalent to breakouts and irritation. The explanation for this possible has to do with it being a pure substance that comes from a organic organism. Merely put, snail mucin is a posh combination just like human sweat– similar to we sweat after we are wired, snails emit mucin when burdened. Sadly for these with delicate or reaction-prone pores and skin, advanced mixtures usually imply the next chance of antagonistic reactions. This is the reason I like to recommend that these with delicate or reactive pores and skin sorts follow easy merchandise.

For probably the most half, individuals ought to in all probability be okay with this product. Nevertheless, when you have delicate pores and skin, a broken pores and skin barrier, or a situation like rosacea, you might wish to tread fastidiously. 

What Ought to I Do If I Need To Strive Utilizing Snail Mucin?

Should you’re intrigued by the potential advantages of snail mucin and want to incorporate it into your skincare routine, it’s important to method its utilization with warning. Conducting a patch take a look at earlier than absolutely integrating new merchandise into your routine can assist establish any undesirable reactions or sensitivities. This straightforward but essential step can stop potential pores and skin irritation and discomfort, permitting you to make an knowledgeable determination about its suitability in your pores and skin.

Moreover, researching manufacturers that prioritize moral sourcing and sustainable practices of their snail mucin extraction can provide peace of thoughts for conscientious shoppers. It’s necessary to notice that not all snail mucin is similar. These merchandise can differ relying on the place the snails come from, how wired they’re, and even how the product is dealt with by the provider. Whereas your pores and skin might react nicely to 1 snail mucin product, there’s nonetheless a danger when attempting one other from a distinct model.

What Are Some Alternate options To Utilizing Snail Mucin?

For these looking for hydration with out the dangers related to this slimy substance, maintain a watch out for merchandise containing humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, in addition to polysaccharides like algae. The next are my favourite methods to realize an additional surge of hydration.

Toners

I’ve come to study that many individuals don’t imagine within the energy of toners, however I’m right here to inform them simply how a lot they’re lacking. From a hydration perspective, toners like Moisture Infusion Toner and Elderberry Soothing Toner are nice for enhancing the pores and skin’s moisture content material. Not solely that nevertheless it’s additionally thought that damp pores and skin is 10 occasions extra permeable than dry pores and skin, that means any serums which might be utilized after will have the ability to penetrate deeper. 

Simply keep in mind to comply with the Golden Minute rule so that you just aren’t dehydrating your pores and skin additional!

Hydrating Serums

Hydrating serums like Pores and skin Drink Focus, which incorporates hyaluronic acid (a robust humectant) and aloe vera, can provide hydration that rivals, if not surpasses, that of the polysaccharides inside snail mucin. As a result of simplicity of those elements, you’ll even be lowering the chance of irritation in your pores and skin. 

Moisturizers

Not solely are they a terrific supply of hydration however moisturizers are additionally key in strengthening the pores and skin’s barrier, lowering transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and making for general happier, more healthy pores and skin. Merchandise like Phytolipid Consolation Creme, Pure Radiance Creme Masque, and Every day Mattifying Answer all comprise algae (or algae extracts), a polysaccharide that retains the pores and skin plump and hydrated. 

Discover out extra about which moisturizer is best for you.

Whereas some might profit from its hydrating and skin-repairing properties, the cruel actuality of how snail mucin is harvested and the potential dangers that it poses stands out as the purpose for its imminent fall from the limelight. Fortunately, that is removed from the one product that may present these hydrating, soothing, and skin-healing advantages. Whereas trying to find alternate options to snail mucin, particularly when coping with delicate pores and skin, you should definitely look for easy merchandise containing elements like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, algae, and aloe, in addition to ceramides and peptides.

I hope you discovered this submit useful and as at all times #obeyrenee!

Lastly, in the event you’re seeking to decrease (and even fully reverse) the consequences of dry pores and skin,  listed here are the most effective elements to make use of and keep away from.

Superstar Esthetician & Skincare Professional
As an esthetician educated in beauty chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching pores and skin, educating her viewers, and constructing an award-winning line of merchandise. Her hands-on expertise as an esthetician and trusted skincare knowledgeable has created a real-world answer — merchandise which might be formulated for 9 several types of pores and skin so your face will get precisely what it must feel and look its finest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world information and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”