Skin Care Updates
Snail Mucin and how it helps Acne Prone Skin.
1. Improves Collagen Production
A study found that snail secretions can stimulate the production of collagen. This is great for your skin, as collagen is the protein that helps your skin remain strong and supple. Collagen also maintains your skin’s elasticity and heals injuries.
2. Hydrates The Skin
Well-hydrated skin is a sign of good skin health! Due to many reasons, your skin may lose its ability to maintain optimum hydration. It could be due to age, over-exfoliation, hormonal imbalance, etc.
The problem with dehydrated skin is that it can quickly lose water, a.k.a. trans epidermal water loss (TEWL). Snail mucin can combat this because of certain chemicals found in it called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). They hold great moisturizing benefits as their molecules attract water. Thus, they help moisturise the skin and make it plump.
3. Increases Skin Cell Turnover
An analysis of snail mucin’s components found that it contains a small dose of glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is a great ingredient in cell turnover as it breaks down dead skin, allowing fresh skin to develop. In simple terms, it may help with mild exfoliation, leaving your skin smoother and free from dead cells.
4. Reduces Pigmentation
The main reason why pigmentation occurs is due to excess melanin developing in some areas of the skin. Melanin is a type of pigment that absorbs the sun’s harmful UV rays to protect the skin. The more melanin present in the skin, the deeper the skin colour. Due to different reasons, the body may overproduce it, leading to hyperpigmentation.
Snail mucin was found to have antimelanogenic properties that hinder melanin production. Hence, it may help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. Snail mucin is also rich in peptides.
Peptides and antioxidants help with fading any dark spots on the skin. Add to that the photoprotective quality of snail mucin and those qualify the secretion as an effective cream to fight hyperpigmentation.
5.Reduces Scarring
When your skin scars, it is due to a lack of collagen that rebuilds the portion of injured skin. If there is less collagen, the skin rebuilds with gaps, leading to pit-like scars. If there is excess collagen, the skin can over-form, leading to a raised bump of skin on the injured area.
Snail mucin can help with your skin’s regeneration ability. It was found to improve the healing of wounds – and even accelerate the process. So if you have a wound, its chemicals will help the bonds within your skin form efficiently.
Although snail mucin is best for acne scars and dark spots, it can sometimes be helpful with active acne, too, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the acids in it reduce excess oil. The less oil there is clogging the pores, the lower the chance of breaking out.
6. Anti-Aging Properties
As you get older, your skin is not able to produce as much collagen and other chemicals that keep it hydrated and looking plump. Due to this, it becomes easier for damage to occur and wrinkles to form.
A study conducted using a cream with 80% snail mucin found that the users noticed a significant difference in the appearance of wrinkles, skin elasticity, dermal density, and skin tightening in 4 weeks.
Also, due to its ability to provide hydration to the skin, snail mucin extract may also help prevent premature wrinkles due to dry skin.
Check out some of our other blog posts to learn more.