Whether you’re encountering snail mucin content on TikTok nonstop or recently noticed a snail mucin product at your favorite cosmetics boutique, you might have questions about this relatively new skincare fad. Namely, you might wonder, is snail mucin good for the skin?
While dermatological researchers are working hard to uncover more information about snail mucin, studies are still limited. Early research suggests that snail mucin benefits might include:
- Improved skin elasticity and smoothness
- Accelerated wound healing
- Wrinkle and fine line reduction
- Antimicrobial potential
But skincare newcomers and cosmeceutical veterans both have a lot to consider before adding snail mucin to their routines. In this guide, we’re exploring everything experts know about snail mucin for the skin. Equipped with this information, you can decide whether or not this skincare product might be right for your personal skincare journey.
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What Is Snail Mucin?
If you’ve ever seen a snail, you’ve likely also encountered snail mucin in the wild. But the shiny trail of slime that snails leave behind is just one variety of mucin.2 In fact, snails make a variety of mucins to serve different biological purposes (which we’ll break down in more detail in the next section).
Mucins are a type of mucous, a watery substance produced by the body. And while snail mucin is currently in the limelight, human mucins have also been the subject of scientific research and discovery in recent years [1].
Snail mucin is a hot topic outside of the skincare sphere, too: Biologists and dermatologists alike are keeping a close watch on emerging data about gastropod excretions and their applications.
Why Do Snails Make Mucins?
- Adhesion – Mucin can help snails stick to surfaces—even vertical ones.
- Lubrication – Mucin helps snails move as easily and efficiently as possible.
- Hydration – Mucin helps lock in and distribute water throughout snails’ bodies.
- Protection – Mucin can help protect snails from bacteria and other microorganisms.
In addition, each specific type of mucin is excreted in a unique area of a snail’s anatomy. Protective mucins, for instance, are commonly found on areas of the snail most commonly exposed to surfaces (like their “feet,” or the portion of their bodies that extends behind their shell).
But scientists are still learning more about snail mucins. They could also serve other purposes that we don’t completely understand yet.
Which Snails Make Mucin?
- Garden Snails (Helix aspersa)
- Banana Rasp Snails (Archachatina marginata)
- Kalutara Snails (Achatina fulica)
- Dusky Arion Slugs (Arion subfuscus)
- Burgundy Snails (Helix pomatia)
- Tikoconus costarricanus snails
Some of the mucins produced by the snails above are already available on the market as patented products, while others are still the subject of ongoing research and development. As explorations progress, scientists may identify additional species with mucins that could be useful for human applications.
Current Applications of Snail Mucin
- Skin care products
- Topical antibiotics
- Wound dressings
- Antibiotic delivery media
- Surgical glues
- Shampoos
- Lubricants
It’s important to note that you’re unlikely to encounter some of these skin care product types (like snail mucin-based wound dressings) outside of clinical settings. Since snail mucin is still being researched for medical applications, it may take time to find them in the bandage aisle.
Snail mucin-based skincare products, for instance, have been widely available on the market since 2019. In your search for snail mucin, you might find the skincare ingredient in products like:
- Anti-aging creams
- Facial cleanser
- Moisturizer
- Scar gel
- Night cream
While reading product labels, you may also see snail mucin called “snail secretion filtrate,” a more specific name for the active ingredient.
Snail Mucin and Skin: Potential Benefits
Whether you’re dealing with dark spots or acne scars or you’re seeking a solution for skin smoothness, you might wonder if it’s worth adding this skincare ingredient to your regimen. Let’s dig deeper into how snail mucin could help your skin type. Remember that scientific data about snail mucin and dermatology is still limited, and longer-term studies with more participants are needed to establish clearer connections.&nb
Skin Elasticity, Smoothness, and Wrinkles
A 2020 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology studied fifty women between the ages of 45 and 65 [4]:
- Participants were selected because their skin type showed signs of photoaging—evidence of ultraviolet radiation damage, for instance [5].
- Thirty participants received a snail mucin product and twenty received a placebo. The study was double-blinded, so neither participants nor researchers knew which participants received which product type.
- While both groups noticed reduced wrinkles and fine lines, the group that received snail mucin products experienced positive qualitative (skin roughness and firmness) and quantitative (transepidermal water loss, skin elasticity, and color brightness) results.
An earlier study—a 2015 assessment published in the Korean Journal of Dermatology—observed statistically significant improvements in [6]:
- Wrinkle reduction
- Skin elasticity
- Skin density and strength
- Skin tightening
While these early results are promising, two relatively small, short-term studies alone aren’t enough to confirm an irrefutable connection between snail mucin and improved skin elasticity, smoothness, or wrinkle reduction. Once additional studies confirm repeatable results, scientists will be one step closer to finding out just how well snail mucin actually works in dermatology applications.
Wound Healing
New blood vessel formation is a critical part of the wound healing process. After a skin injury, additional blood vessels form to:
- Deliver oxygen to the area
- Supply nutrients needed for cellular regeneration
- Eliminating cell debris (dead skin cells) and other waste products from the area
The 2021 study specifically assessed the effectiveness of different concentrations of snail mucin: 24%, 48%, and 96% concentrations. The results revealed that the two highest concentrations significantly improved angiogenesis, while the lowest concentration didn’t markedly improve wound healing.
Antimicrobial Properties
But where do these antimicrobial properties come from? Much of snails’ bodies are exposed to their environment, and a large portion of their skin contacts the ground in order to move. Thus, the mucin they develop on their bodies must protect them from these potential threats.
Multiple studies have made efforts to establish snail mucin as a potential infection-fighting treatment, and the early results suggest that the mucin could be useful for protecting humans against bacteria and microorganisms:
- A 2019 study established that snail mucin could be a candidate for a potential stomach ulcer drug [8].
- A 2020 study suggests that snail mucin might effectively protect skin cells from ozone (O3) damage. O3 is a common air pollutant that can cause significant skin damage [9].
- A 2016 study reported that wound dressings treated with snail mucin showed potential for protection against infectious bacteria exposure during the healing process [10].
While more research is needed to determine if snail mucin can specifically help to fend off the types of bacteria known to cause acne, the existing studies show promise.
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3 Things to Consider Before Adding Snail Mucin to Your Skincare Routine
The results explored above—while limited—show that snail mucin has significant potential for skincare applications. But before you add a snail mucin-based product to your shopping cart, we recommend considering the available evidence, the complexity of your routine, and your potential allergies.
#1 Available Evidence
- Studies featuring larger sample sizes
- Publications that repeat snail mucin experiments multiple times to confirm results
- Official recommendations from major medical authorities like The American Academy of Dermatology, The American Medical Association, and The New England Journal of Medicine
While limited evidence for snail mucin’s effectiveness doesn’t necessarily mean that it doesn’t work, increased data empowers people to make more informed decisions about their skincare.
#2 Simplicity of Your Skincare Routine
At PROVEN, we encourage people to keep their routines simple by:
- Using products uniquely suited to their specific needs and goals
- Including products with multiple active ingredients—such as using a daily moisturizer with SPF, one product that accomplishes two tasks
- Reducing the total number of steps in their skincare routine to save time—and money
If you’re already using a three-step skincare system and applying makeup every day, adding a new product (like snail mucin) could unnecessarily overcomplicate your routine—especially if you’re already using products that promise the same results.
Simply put, adding snail mucin to your skincare routine (especially when its effectiveness is still unclear) might be unnecessary.
#3 Potential Allergies
Even if your healthcare provider assures you that adding snail mucin to your routine poses a low allergic reaction risk, you should still proceed with caution, especially if you’ve had severe reactions before. Consider:
- Performing a spot test—applying the product in one small area and observing the results
- Applying the product for the first time in the presence of your healthcare provider
- Waiting for more published data about the relationship between food allergies to snails and topical snail mucin applications
Develop a Personalized Skincare Routine with PROVEN
Is snail mucin good for skin, and can it aid in the treatment of acne? Early evidence suggests that it might support skin elasticity, wrinkle reduction, wound healing, and protection against bacteria and infections. But, there simply isn’t enough data available yet to determine whether or not snail mucin is an effective skincare product.
At PROVEN, we encourage skincare gurus and self-care newcomers alike to closely research the ingredients in their products—and to keep their routines as simple as possible. That’s why all of our formulas are customized based on your individual skin health history, your goals, and dermatological data.
If you’re ready for a simple, bespoke routine—and softer, smoother, and brighter healthy skin—take our Skin Quiz to start building a skincare system that works for you.
