Fans of Korean cosmetics have more than once noticed an exotic ingredient in their products - snail mucin. And although this component has only recently been used, legends are already being created about it. Girls vying with each other to admire its miraculous properties, noting positive changes in their skin after the first use of the beauty product.
There is nothing surprising! After all, the composition of snail mucus extract is so rich that it can cope with any imperfections of the epidermis. Let’s take a closer look at why this substance is useful and what effect you can expect with regular use.
Composition of snail mucin and its benefits
The mucus has a unique composition. It consists of 90% water, but the complex of valuable components accounts for only 10%, but this is enough for the face to literally shine with youth and beauty.
Snail mucus filtrate includes the following components:
- hyaluronic and glycolic acid;
- collagen and elastin;
- vitamins: A, B, E, B6, B12, etc.;
- copper peptides;
- glycoproteins;
- allantoin;
- calcium;
- chitosan;
- proteases;
- antibacterial substances;
- enzymes and so on.
The composition of the mucin is not always the same; it depends on the type of snail, its nutrition, maintenance and care, as well as on the collection technology. In cosmetology, snail mucus from Achatina giant and brown edible garden snails is used.
Beneficial properties of snail mucin:
- smoothing facial and static wrinkles;
- relaxation and calming of the skin;
- accelerating the cell recovery process;
- narrowing of enlarged pores;
- removal of inflammatory processes that lead to the formation of acne;
- stimulation of collagen and elastin synthesis;
- neutralization of free radical activity;
- instant hydration, without the feeling of a sticky film;
- protection from UV rays;
- lightening pigmentation;
- smoothing acne scars;
- lifting effect.
It is worth noting that snail mucin has no disadvantages. Cosmetics containing this substance can be used for any skin type, regardless of age.
Possible side effects of use
The natural origin of snail secretion virtually eliminates the occurrence of side effects.
However, the glycolic acid in its composition may cause discomfort in people with sensitive skin:
- burning;
- redness;
- feeling of dryness and tightness;
- irritation, itching;
- allergic reaction, swelling.
It should also be remembered that the more natural ingredients a cosmetic product contains, the more dangerous its use is for allergy sufferers. At the first sign of side effects or an allergic reaction, thoroughly rinse the product off the skin and stop further use.
How is snail mucin obtained?
This is one of the most popular questions that concerns lovers of Asian cosmetics. Animal defenders can exhale calmly, although snails secrete a balanced solution of substances when in a stressful situation, their lives are not in danger. Let's talk in more detail about how they make it so that gastropods willingly share useful mucus.
Let's start with the fact that shellfish are grown on special farms. They live in a favorable environment, the conditions of their detention are as close as possible to natural ones.
The technology for collecting mucin occurs in several ways:
- The snails are lightly shaken (spun in a centrifuge). As a response to stress, invertebrates generously secrete a protective substance containing nutritional components;
- susceptible to low temperatures. The gastropods are sent to a kind of sauna - “SPA for snails”;
- the most humane way is pleasant music and a relaxing massage. Scientists have found that mollusks secrete mucin even when they receive pleasure;
- Another option for obtaining a valuable substance is to take mollusks from their usual habitat and plant them on a net located in a darkened, quiet room. Finding themselves in an unfamiliar place, they also begin to develop a secret. They crawl there for about half an hour, after which they are returned to the place where they continue their life activities.
The resulting mucus is washed off with water, then it can be processed (it is washed and filtered). And only after this, the substance enters beauty products.
No matter how farmers extract the miraculous mucus, the snails do not suffer from it. Some caring “owners”, after stressful situations, pamper their charges with something tasty. In such conditions, mollusks live for about ten years.
A little biology
Saliva is a biological substance secreted by the salivary glands. Liquid is produced by 6 large glands - submandibular, parotid, sublingual - and many small ones located in the oral cavity. Up to 2.5 liters of fluid are released per day.
The composition of the secretions of the salivary glands differs from the composition of the fluid in the oral cavity. This is due to the presence of food debris and the presence of microorganisms.
Functions of biological fluid:
- wetting the food bolus;
- disinfectant;
- protective;
- promotes articulation and swallowing of food bolus;
- breakdown of carbohydrates in the oral cavity;
- transport - the liquid wets the epithelium of the oral cavity and participates in the exchange of substances between saliva and the oral mucosa.
Mechanism of saliva production
How to use snail secretion products
Cosmetics containing mucin are suitable for any skin type. The snail mucus filtrate will provide the key to solving any dermal problem.
However, before the first use, it would be a good idea to conduct an allergy test. To do this, a small amount of cosmetic is applied to the inside of the wrist. If after a couple of hours you do not notice any negative changes, then snail cosmetics are suitable for you.
Once the treasured Korean beauty product with the addition of mucin is in your hands, questions about its features of use will begin to rain down. Let's look at the most popular ones.
How often can I use it?
Mucin is a useful component found in cosmetics. Therefore, if you are interested in how often you can use a beauty product, you need to start from its purpose and purpose.
Creams
For the nourishing cream to be beneficial, it is important to use it daily. Evening is the best time. Since metabolic processes occur in the skin even at night, the snail mucus filtrate will significantly improve the condition of the dermis.
An excellent option is the multifunctional cream Black Snail All In One Cream from the Korean brand FarmStay. Actively saturates the epidermis with useful substances, fights imperfections, smoothes wrinkles.
Black Snail All In One Cream
The nourishing cream Black Snail Wrinkle Cream from The Skin House is also popular. The product prevents premature aging, provides a lifting effect, is quickly absorbed without leaving a greasy film.
Black Snail Wrinkle Cream
Anti-aging cosmetics
If you want not only to see a positive result from using cosmetics from this line, but also to consolidate it, systematic use is important.
When your skin needs extra care, The Skin House's Wrinkle Snail System Cream is the perfect solution. After just a few uses, you will notice that the dermis has become refreshed and acquired a pleasant shade.
Wrinkle Snail System Cream
Hanhui Snail Mucus Essential Cream from HANHUI is also used for these purposes. Its developers made sure that the product not only provides a care effect, but also has a healing effect on the skin.
Hanhui Snail Mucus Essential Cream
Patches also have a cumulative effect. You can verify this by using the hydrogel beauty product Hydrogel Eye Patch Black Snail from the South Korean brand EKEL.
Hydrogel Eye Patch Black Snail
Peelings and scrubs
When the skin has an uneven, bumpy surface, it is characterized by enlarged pores and a greasy sheen, it will not hurt to use a peeling roller several times a week.
The EKEL company produces excellent products for problematic epidermis. After the first use, you will be pleasantly surprised, as you will notice that the skin has become smooth, fresh, and velvety to the touch.
Pay attention to the beauty product Natural Clean peeling gel Black Snail. It acts gently and gently, without damaging the healthy layer, removes dead skin cells, cleanses pores, eliminates dryness and flaking.
Natural Clean peeling gel Black Snail
Masks
Korean sheet face masks work wonders! They instantly transform the skin, giving it a feeling of comfort and freshness. It is enough to carry out such procedures 3-4 times a month.
One of the best beauty products that contains snail mucus is Fresh Snail Mask Sheet, the result of the work of the 3W Clinic brand. Systematic use will allow you to forget about scars, excessive pigmentation, relieve discomfort, and give the dermis a healthy glow.
Fresh Snail Mask Sheet
And the Missha company has released a restorative mask, Healing Snail 3D Sheet Mask. Its peculiarity is a 3D-shaped pattern, thanks to which the valuable substance with which the mask is impregnated penetrates even deeper into the layers of the skin, providing an intense effect.
Healing Snail 3D Sheet Mask
Serums
The key to beauty, freshness and youth of the skin is the daily use of serums. The beauty product Escargot Noblesse Intensive Ampoule, released by the South Korean brand FarmStay, smooths out fine lines and wrinkles, nourishes and moisturizes the dermis, gives the face a pleasant tint and a slight glow.
Escargot Noblesse Intensive Ampoule
The Black Signature Ampoule serum ampoule from the Ottie brand is also suitable. Its action is aimed at deep restoration of the epidermis, strengthening turgor, smoothing out fine wrinkled mesh.
Black Signature Ampoule
Gels
The skin needs cleansing in the morning and evening, so cosmetology experts recommend using a cleansing gel twice a day. All Korean cosmetics contain exclusively natural ingredients. But many girls prefer those products that contain snail mucin.
The Korean brand Purito has pleased its fans with the Snail All In One BB Cleanser, which does an excellent job of removing complex makeup, and also delicately exfoliates the stratum corneum and has a calming effect.
Snail All In One BB Cleanser
What types of cosmetics with snail mucus can you find?
Healing snail mucin can be found in the following lines of cosmetics: anti-aging, sun protection, restorative, soothing, moisturizing, etc. This useful substance is added to face masks, gels, sprays, serums, etc.
However, the secretion of snails has a powerful positive effect not only on the skin, but also on the hair. It is used to create shampoos and balms, masks and serums that improve the condition of curls, making them shiny, silky, and strong.
BLACK SNAIL PRESTIGE SHAMPOO from AYOUME will not only thoroughly cleanse your hair and scalp, but also moisturize and protect against the negative effects of environmental factors.
“Stress” snail mucus is the main component of other beauty products for body care.
BLACK SNAIL PRESTIGE SHAMPOO
The anti-inflammatory hand cream INTENSE CARE Gold 24K Snail Hand Cream, produced by the famous Korean brand TONYMOLY, deserves attention. Recommended for dermis with the first signs of aging.
INTENSE CARE Gold 24K Snail Hand Cream
And also perfumed body lotion Escargot Daily Perfume Body Lotion from the manufacturer FarmStay. The product moisturizes, nourishes cells, and restores elasticity to the epidermis.
Escargot Daily Perfume Body Lotion
Beneficial features
The effective effect on the skin is due to the following properties of mucin:
- Protective. Mucous secretion includes beneficial components that help protect the mollusk's body from scratches and abrasions. Protects against infections, drying out, and UV radiation. Features that appear when applied to human skin.
- Fight against age-related changes. Activates the synthesis of elastin and collagen. Is an antioxidant. Regenerates damaged cells. Relevant in anti-aging compositions for smoothing wrinkles, treating acne, lightening dark spots, burns. Contains elements that stimulate the synthesis of your own collagen and elastin. Slightly eliminates stretch marks and young scars. Fibrinolytic enzymes and glycolic acid exfoliate dead particles and accelerate the restoration of new ones. For scars it is practiced as an additional treatment. Relieves irritation, softens. Improves the texture of the epidermis. This gives a rejuvenating result.
- Nutritious. Enriches with vitamins and peptides.
- Moisturizing. Most of the composition is water. Hyaluronic acid, found in mucin, promotes moisture retention. Favorable for dry surfaces, especially in the hot season and in the frosty, windy season.
Is snail mucus dangerous in cosmetics?
Snail mucin itself is absolutely safe. Provided that the shellfish are kept by conscientious farmers who provide them with comfortable living conditions. The snails themselves should not suffer during the “extraction” of healing mucus.
After the gastropod secretion is obtained, the substance goes through several stages of processing. Only then, in purified form, with an increased concentration of beneficial ingredients, does it enter cosmetic products.
Cosmetics manufactured with maximum compliance with all standards do not pose a health hazard.
Indications for use
Preparations with snail mucin are recommended for use in the following cases:
- Care for sensitive, irritated, delicate skin. With dull color, visible fading.
- Formation of wrinkles. Recommended for hydration and nutrition for people over 30 years of age.
- Teenage problems: acne, acne, remaining scars.
- Pigmentation, excessive dryness, chapping.
- The achievement appears in about two weeks with regular use.
How else is snail mucin used?
A cosmetic procedure such as snail therapy is gaining increasing popularity. The skin is first cleaned and a harmless mollusk is planted on it. As they move, they secrete precious mucus, which has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. Many daredevils, for these purposes, keep Achatina snails as pets. They thrive in captivity and are beneficial.
Since snail mucin has an antibacterial and wound-healing effect, it has also found its use in medicine. It is an indispensable remedy for the treatment of burns, as well as one of the main components of surgical glue.
We hope that you have found the answer to the questions of what snail mucin is and how to use cosmetics that contain this invaluable ingredient. Shop here and conquer the world, impressing everyone with your beauty!
From the history
Snail mucus was used in ancient times. The Greeks practiced it as a healing medicine for skin diseases and inflammation. Not limited to external treatment, they were used internally for a variety of ailments.
The study of mucin began in 1980. In 1995, research made it possible to produce the first cream containing it.
In the modern world, the founder of this cosmetics was South Korea. We continued to use the technology in America and Europe. Large-scale production of cosmetic series with snail mucin has begun. After the spread of knowledge about the healing properties of snail mucus, original cosmetic procedures began to be carried out. Beauty salons and resorts in Korea, Japan, and Thailand offer exotic courses using Achatina snails. Snail therapy involves obtaining a rejuvenating effect from the mucus of a snail crawling on the face.
