“Snail mucin is an excretion from snails, and is naturally made up of properties like
glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid, all of which have long-documented benefits
for the skin,” says COSRX spokesperson and UK representative Julia Marinkovich.
As skincare lovers are already aware, hyaluronic acid is an essential ingredient for hydration and locking in the moisture to support your skin’s natural barrier – while glycolic acid helps stimulate collagen production. “Not only does it provide intense hydration and nourishment, but [snail mucin] also helps soothe the skin, as well as improve its elasticity,” Julia explains.
How is snail mucin extracted? Is CORSX cruelty-free?
“No snails are harmed — or even stressed out — in the making of the Advanced Snail line,” says Julia. “Snails are placed over a mesh net in a dark and quiet room. As nocturnal creatures, this
provides them with a comfortable space to freely roam about. After about an hour, the snails
are transferred back to their homes while the mucin is collected and processed for use.”
“No external stress is applied to the snails or the mesh net for two different reasons. First, it is
prohibited to manufacture, distribute and sell products that have undergone animal testing in
Korea. Second, optimal mucin production occurs when snails are well-rested and content.
So, no snails are hurt during the collection process.”
GLAMOUR road test
As someone who has dry and sensitive skin, I’ve always struggled with dry patches, irritation and redness. On the daily, I tend to reach for extra-nourishing and hydrating skincare products that contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and cica, which is another popular component in Korean skincare products. That said, I’m definitely new to snail mucin, which, to my surprise, turned out to be one of the best things I’ve used on my skin (without exaggerating).
I’ve been using both the Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence and the Snail 92 All-In-One Cream everyday as part of my daily skincare routine for exactly four weeks during both daytime and just before bed. I’ve started noticing the biggest improvement after the second week: the redness was definitely a lot calmer and my skin tone was overall a lot more even than before. I also noticed a lit-from-within glow on my bare skin even prior to applying any products post-cleanse (which, given how dry my skin is, is a rarity).