Snail Mucin

Blog Published 9th March 2023

What is snail mucin and how do you use it?

Snail mucin products are experiencing another surge in popularity thanks to TikTok, but what even is it? Unlike skin slugging which has nothing to do with actual slugs, this is exactly what it sounds like. Snail mucin is indeed extracted from the mucus trail left behind by snails. As strange as it might be to think about, there are some compelling reasons people are rushing to stock up on products.

Allow us to answer all your questions about snail mucin and potential benefits they may have for your skin.

What is snail mucin?

If you’re wondering who the first people were to look at the mucus trail behind snails and think, “Hm, maybe I should put that on my skin!” — it was those ever-clever and resourceful ancient Greeks. According to a 2021 review of studies from Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, they also used it for the same anti-inflammation and anti-aging properties everyone continues to rave about today. 

When you think about it, snails have vulnerable bodies they use to slide around everywhere. It makes sense they would need something to protect them from the elements, which is precisely what their mucus does. It’s made up of proteins like the ones found in the epithelial cells found on our skin. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which may ring bells as another potent anti-aging beauty ingredient that helps with hydration.

Several studies have found promising benefits of using snail mucin: boosting wound healing with antimicrobial properties, improving skin regeneration with increased tissue and collagen production, and fighting off free radicals with antioxidants. 

For those curious how snail mucin is harvested from the snails themselves, most companies prefer to keep that a trade secret. It’s obviously important to keep the snails alive in order to produce the mucin, though. The most frequently used techniques seem to be fairly harmless, like allowing the snails to crawl around on mesh or giving them steam baths. Regardless of how it’s collected, the mucin is filtered and refined before going into products. 

It’s perfectly safe to mix snail mucin with other products in your beauty routine. As always, it’s a good idea to test any new ingredient on a small patch of skin to make sure you don’t have any sensitivities before going all in with it.

How do you use snail mucin?

The answer to this question will depend on the type of mucin you purchase. If it’s a serum, you’ll want to put it on before a moisturizer. If it’s a moisturizing cream, you’ll want to use it after the serums.  

Blog publishes March 2nd, 2023

Our snails are still sound asleep but they won’t but not for much longer. We have a lot of work to do to get the tunnel back in ship shape for them for the summer. Check out the link below to see the snail tunnel and all the work that needs to be done before the snails wake up from hibernation.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nbvhu4u78hU

Blog published February 28th 2023

Science : The benefits of snail slime for skin.

Science Backs Use Of Snail Mucin In Skincare Products For These Benefits

Snail slime contains a powerful combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-regenerating components.

For years snail mucus has also been used as a wound healing agent, surgical glue, and to combat gastric ulcers, too.

Snail mucin is the latest buzz in the skincare world. It has amassed popularity due to its extensive use in Korean beauty products. Although it may sound a bit icky, the use of snail slime in skincare has been practised since ancient times. In recent years, it has gained global recognition for its remarkable ability to improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, and hydrate the skin. What exactly makes this not-so-ordinary skincare ingredient work wonders for your skin, though?

According to a study published in January in the Molecules journal, snails secrete a slime or mucus that helps protect their foot– a rather large part of their body– from injury, bacteria, and UV rays. This viscous and liquid secretion has a very low pH. It helps these tiny molluscs in locomotion, feeding, and defence from predators. Snail slime contains a powerful combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-regenerating components. This includes allantoin, glycolic acid, elastin, collagen, vitamins, and mucin-like glycoprotein complexes. These compounds have various beneficial effects, such as sun protection, exfoliation, and more.

Allantoin, for instance, helps to heal, soothe, and smooth the skin. Collagen, which is present in connective tissue, skin, tendons, bones, and cartilage, provides structural support to tissues and plays an essential role in tissue repair and maintenance. As one ages and the collagen level drops, one begins noticing fine lines and wrinkles. Glycolic acid, on the other hand, stimulates cell renewal and reduces dark spots and hyperpigmentation, resulting in an even skin tone.

Snails have maximum contact with surfaces that are contaminated with pathogens and parasites through their foot. However, the secretion of mucus along their feet protects against such microbes. This shows that the mucin in snail slime has antimicrobial properties. When used on the skin, this helps keep acne at bay. Snail mucin also helps other ingredients and antioxidants, such as glycolic acid, and vitamins A, E, and C, do their jobs more effectively.

The slime also has therapeutic potential against melanoma, one of the most dangerous skin cancers. Two extracts derived from the gastropod Cryptomphalus aspersa have been found to have dermal regeneration properties. The active snail extract treatment appears to be effective in improving signs of skin ageing in women aged 45 to 65, as per a research paper published in 2020 in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.