Why Snail Mucin? Or, How This Ancient Practice Became a Skin Care Sensation

When you think about skin care, snail mucin probably isn’t the first product that comes to mind. But snail secretion filtrate—a mucus these teeny mollusks produce to move, stay hydrated, and fend off environmental threats—has somehow slithered its way to the top of the cosmeceutical pole.

Simply put, snails have an impressive, multitasking slime system. They secrete different types of goo for various purposes: an antimicrobial barrier from their back, a collagen-packed lubricant to grease their trails, and a calcium-rich adhesive that helps them cling to surfaces and travel upside down.

Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

What Is Snail Mucin?

In the lab, cosmetic researchers have identified at least five types of mucus cells in the garden snail alone, each producing a different biochemical composition. Among them, glycosaminoglycans are the prized gems of the skin care world. These molecules have a natural ability to draw in water, making them favored ingredients in plumping moisturizers. Snail goop is also packed with elastin, collagen, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, and vitamins (A, C, E, and more). These compounds are essentially an all-star lineup that helps with skin regeneration, hydration, and protection against bacteria.

Beyond cosmetics, many people are exploring mucin’s medical potential for wound healing in diabetes, eye health, and even cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. For example, scientists are working on developing eye drops using snail slime, which could help manage certain eye diseases. With antimicrobial and antioxidant components, snail mucin is used to treat burns, gastric ulcers, and post-surgery infections.

Some studies showed that snail mucin performed better than commercial antibiotics (including amoxicillin and streptomycin) when treating wounds. When given with medications, slime can also enhance drug delivery by aiding the body’s mucus membranes to better absorb the treatment. Early studies even suggest it could potentially protect against melanoma.

Why Is It Trendy?

It may seem like slug syrup appeared out of nowhere, but it’s been around in cosmeceuticals for centuries. The ancient Greeks used it to treat colds and infections. Hippocrates—“the father of medicine”—allegedly crushed snails and used the byproduct to treat skin inflammation. People in southwest Cameroon have long used terrestrial mollusk extract to treat burns, alleviate headaches, and prevent infectious diseases such as scabies and ringworm. In Italy, gastropod goo is used to treat dermatological issues such as acne, warts, and calluses.

In the 1980s, Chilean farmers noticed their hands became softer and cuts healed faster when handling escargots for the French food market. This set off snail mucin’s popularity in South America, and it was first integrated into cosmetics by the Chilean skin care brand Elicina in 1995. South Korea followed suit in the early 2000s. Today, K-beauty and #SkinTok are pushing snail slime to a global audience, with North America one of the fastest-growing markets.

How Is Snail Mucin Collected?

Most of the slime used in cosmetics comes from the common garden snail, Cryptomphalus aspersa. Essentially, they excrete mucin in response to stress, which can then be harvested in various ways. One of the most popular methods involves letting these shelled critters crawl on netted surfaces to stimulate the secretion, which will then drip into pans. Another procedure consists of misting chambers that induce secretion without direct contact.

How it’s extracted and processed can vary a lot by brand and farm practices, and there’s no standard regulation across the industry. That means escargoo (see what I did there) products can differ in consistency, quality, and effectiveness, depending on a grand array of factors, from what the snails are fed to breeding practices.

What Are the Benefits?

Snail slime is sort of a do-it-all skin care ingredient, which could partially be why it’s so trendy in an industry that is currently favoring a “clean beauty” aesthetic.

• Hydrating: With humectants like hyaluronic acid, snail mucin helps bolster the skin’s moisture barrier, locking in hydration and keeping irritants out.
• Smoothing: The natural glycolic acid and collagen-boosting compounds in mucin can improve skin texture, helping to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. A small-scale 2020 study found that women aged 45 to 65 using Endocare Tensage Serum reported less skin roughness and better elasticity after three months.
• Healing: Snail mucin is loaded with zinc, manganese, allantoin, and copper peptides—all nutrients that support cell regeneration and calm irritation. These qualities are especially useful for skin prone to redness or breakouts.

Are There Risks?

Again, while snail mucin is well-tolerated by most people, allergies can happen. Be sure to do a patch on your inner arm before applying any new ingredient to your face. If you notice any redness, burning, or stinging—at whatever point—you should stop using the slime. At least until you consult a dermatologist.

How Do I Add Snail Slime to My Routine?

Snail mucin can be found in essences, creams, masks, and more. Serums and essences typically offer the highest concentration if you’re looking for maximum slime. Choose products with at least 70 percent mucin content for optimal results. Depending on your skin goals, it’s safe to use daily or cycle it a couple of times a week alongside your usual ingredients like vitamin C or retinol.

I’m currently testing the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser and the 96 Percent Mucin Power Essence, which I use daily during my nighttime routine. Cosmetic chemist Michelle Wong also uses the same serum daily. “My skin is oily and prone to getting dehydrated easily, so it’s a perfect fit,” she says. When switching up your skin care routine, Wong recommends adding in one product at a time. “If you add five products that you bought in a shopping spree to a routine all at once, you can’t tell what’s actually working,” she says.

So, Is It Worth Trying?

If your skin could use a hydration boost or you’re looking for a gentle, multifunctional ingredient, snail mucin might be worth trying. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all miracle.

In the end, people have different skin types and different priorities. We all know that one dude who washes his face with just a bar of soap and has crystal-clear skin. You can’t fight genetics. “Skin care is a hobby for me, so I’m willing to spend a bit more time and effort trying out different products,” Wong says, adding that her skin isn’t very fussy in terms of sensitivity. “I always recommend thinking about what your skin needs and make sure you’re not buying a product just out of hype.”

So, if the idea of slug syrup grosses you out, there’s no reason to go there. But if you’re down to try something that’s been around since ancient Greece—or perhaps if you have a fascination for all things slime—it could be the secret ingredient you didn’t know you needed.