Here's the scoop: While snail mucin, for the most part, won't cause purging like a hardcore retinoid, ingredients in certain other products — COSRX chief among them — have been known to cause cystic acne breakouts, so choose your essence wisely. Your best bet is to listen to your skin and make adjustments as needed.
Time Will Tell: Unlike breakouts, purging should be short-lived, generally subsiding in a few weeks. If your skin behaves otherwise after using snail mucin, consider looking at other culprits or halting certain potent medications or products that may be causing prolonged disruption.
Using it in excess can create a breeding ground for fungal infection on your skin causing fungal acne. Snail mucin is rich in growth factors which can increase chances of acne in some people, similar to dairy-induced breakouts. How to reduce your risk of breakouts with snail mucin:
In the first couple of weeks of using snail mucin, you'll likely notice a sense of increased hydration. Your skin might seem plumper, softer to the touch.
Not everyone but a few people might be allergic to snails and mollusks and can have an allergic reaction which can result in redness, congestion after applying, hives all over the body, irritation in the eyes, sneezing, itchiness, raised bumps, swelling, scaling or flaking, and even cracked skin after application.
Potential Side Effects of Snail Mucin
Snail mucin is well tolerated and there are no negative side effects to note. However, it's always a good idea if you have sensitive skin to test the product on a small area of your skin to make sure you don't have a reaction.
Snail mucin products can be used with most other skincare ingredients, but avoid combining them with harsh exfoliants or acids to prevent potential irritation.
way to tell if you have an allergy to this product. If you're experiencing new texture. like little bumps all over the face, or if you're getting breakouts. that are different in texture. or are in new areas of your face, immediately stop using this product.
Dr. Lal says that these products can be used once or twice per day, but that snail mucin moisturizers tend to be on the heavier side and may be best used as a night cream. If you're ready to add snail mucin to your skincare routine, check out some of our experts' favorite snail mucin skincare products below.
1 However, you should not use snail mucin if you are allergic to snails or mollusks. 11 People with very sensitive skin may want to try only a small amount of any skincare product–including those that contain snail mucin–at first to make sure they don't have an adverse reaction.
It is important for a person to avoid snail mucin if they are allergic to snails or snail mucin products. Burning, itching, rash, or blisters on the skin can indicate an allergic reaction. It is important to avoid products that irritate the skin or cause adverse reactions to help prevent eczema from worsening.
Snail mucin users saw significantly improved fine lines, crow's feet and luminance when compared with people in a group that used a placebo product without snail secretions. No change was seen in overall skin damage severity. Snail mucins appeared safe for most people. Study participants didn't report any reactions.
“[Skin purging is] a positive sign that your skin is adjusting to the treatment and purging built-up impurities,” Dr. Yamauchi said. However, if your skin reaction doesn't go away or gets worse, it's best to stop using the new product.
Finally, there's the undeniable debate about companies using animal by-products in beauty. Even though snails aren't typically harmed in the process, it still involves an animal, so isn't ideal for people who prefer vegan or plant-based alternatives.
“Snail mucin is rich in several compounds which can be beneficial to skin,” said Dr. Rebecca Marcus, a board-certified dermatologist at North Dallas Dermatology Associates in Dallas, Texas. “Snail mucin has been noted for its ability to hydrate skin and promote wound healing.
The general consensus says the magic happens after two weeks of using snail mucin. Julia agrees: “Your skin will feel much more hydrated and glowy after the first use, but after around two weeks of continual use, you will see and feel the real benefits.”
Snails have been eaten by humans for thousands of years, but thankfully extracting their mucin doesn't involve killing the snail. Methods of mucin harvesting vary between manufacturer, so since we stock COSRX we're detailing how they do it.
Should You Use Snail Mucin on a Wet or Dry Face? For optimal results, apply snail mucin on a damp face. Moist skin enhances product absorption, allowing the mucin to penetrate deeply and lock in hydration.
Snail mucin is a wonder K-beauty ingredient which can deeply hydrate skin, heal acne scars and even give you glass skin – and while there's plenty of evidence to back this up, I've tried a bunch of products with snail mucin only to find that they're too sticky for my skin.
Incorporating Snail Mucin into Your Daily Routine
Morning Ritual: After cleansing your face in the morning, apply your snail mucin serum. Let it absorb fully, then follow up with a moisturizer and, most importantly, SPF.
Improved Hydration: Both snail mucin and hyaluronic acid are known for their hydrating properties. When combined, they provide a boost of moisture to the skin that can help to reduce dryness, flakes, and fine lines.
Snail mucin itself is not a common allergen, but certain proteins and compounds in it can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Potential allergens in snail mucin include: 1. Helix Aspersa Müller Glycoprotein: A protein that can irritate sensitive skin.