Everyone wants clear and healthy skin — even if that means slathering snail slime all over it. Yes, the latest in out-there skin-care ingredients is the mucus that’s left behind when the slow little creature crawls by.

Technically called snail mucin, the ingredient has long been popular in South Korea, which some consider the most forward-thinking and innovative in the beauty world, and has made its way to other parts of the world, including the United States.

“It’s a massive trend at the moment and for a good reason,” says Georgia Smith, a cosmetic chemist and founder of Skin Sister, who is based in Sydney.

Here, learn more about what snail mucin is, how it’s used, and how you can introduce it to your skin-care routine (if you’re not too grossed out, that is).

Quite literally, snail mucin is a snail’s secretion. You may also see it referred to as “snail secretion filtrate” (SSF) on the ingredient list of skin-care products.

“Chemically speaking, snail mucin is a complex mix of proteins, enzymes, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides, antimicrobial peptides, iron, zinc, and proteoglycans,” Smith says. Some of those, such as hyaluronic acid, may sound familiar if you’re well versed in skin care.

Wondering how someone might reach the conclusion that snail mucin is good for the skin in the first place? According to a story from the Associated Press, workers on a snail farm in Chile in the 1980s noticed their hands were unusually soft and credited the snails with the positive effects.

Today, it’s a big business. According to a perspective published October 2021 in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, the snail mucin skin-care market is expected to grow to $770 million by 2025. Snail slime is generally collected by keeping snails in a dark room and having them slide along a surface that can collect their slime, such as glass or mesh, according to an article in Racked.

Snail mucin is a new ingredient and still niche, so it hasn’t been studied widely when compared with many other popular skin-care ingredients.

But it may offer a few distinct benefits to the skin. “It’s packed with good stuff that your skin will love,” Smith says.

Products containing snail mucin may be a good choice for people with dry skin. “It contains hydrating characteristics that serve to strengthen the skin barrier and keep moisture in,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami.

This is due to the hyaluronic acid, which immediately hydrates the skin, Smith says. While research on snail mucin is scarce, the hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid are well documented. According to a study published June 2021 in Dermatology and Therapy, hyaluronic acid serum increased skin hydration by 134 percent immediately after application and improved plumpness, smoothness, fine lines, and wrinkles.

Smith says snail mucin promotes collagen, and others report anecdotally that snail mucin may help offset some of the signs of skin aging, which may be good news for your skin health and for anyone seeking a more youthful look. Previous research found using a serum with 40 percent snail mucin for 12 weeks minimized the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Yet the study was very limited — it was small and involved only 25 women — and more research is needed.

The mechanism here may be the glycolic acid found in snail mucin. “The glycolic acid stimulates collagen formation, which not only reduces fine lines and wrinkles but also gives your skin a beautiful, young shine,” Dr. Chacon says.

Snail mucin may come in handy if you’re dealing with a scrape or cut. “Snail mucin is also known for its healing benefits as it’s been shown to enhance wound healing, and it can improve the appearance of scarring,” Smith says. It may also help with acne due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, says Ahmed Chaudhry, MD, a dermatologist and consultant with Scandinavian Biolabs based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

There’s some preliminary research suggesting snail mucin could also help treat skin cancer. A study published May 2018 in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy suggests snail mucin helped combat melanoma cells and could be used against skin diseases, though more rigorous research is needed.

As snail mucin has become popular, it’s been added to all sorts of formulas. Here are the most common:

For the biggest dose of snail mucin, go for a serum. “If you want to utilize snail mucin as a multi-purpose anti-ager, search for it in a serum, since it will have a larger concentration of the component,” Chacon says.

An essence is a thin, water-based product. Smith says it’s a great starting point if you’re new to skin care or want to dip your toe into the snail mucin trend.

You’ll also find the ingredient added to moisturizers or creams. If wrinkles are a concern, the thicker the cream, the better. “A thick cream will ensure your skin is reaping the benefits of snail mucin while nourishing your skin at the same time with added lipid input,” Smith says.

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.

Since snail mucin hasn’t been mainstream for long, there isn’t much research on it yet. So it’s too soon to say definitively if snail mucin reacts with other ingredients, but there’s no current research to suggest it does.

One thing to note is that snail mucin is not vegan friendly — it comes from a snail after all.

Yes, snail mucin is safe to use during pregnancy, Chacon says. “You can incorporate snail mucin products into your beauty routine,” she says.

Again, since it is a new ingredient with very little research done, it’s a good idea to consult your doctors before starting to use a new product while pregnant or nursing, Smith says. Your dermatologist or your ob-gyn may have a different take.

Although research on using snail mucin to help ease symptoms of skin conditions is lacking, anecdotally speaking, the ingredient may help and poses a low risk for harm, some dermatologists suggest.

“A product containing snail mucin would be great for anyone suffering from skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea,” Smith says. “The ingredient is known for its healing benefits and has no irritating components, so in my professional opinion it would be a great addition for anybody suffering with these skin conditions.”

Chacon agrees and says the anti-inflammatory properties could minimize redness, hyperpigmentation, and eczema.

Smith says cica (Centella asiatica) is a similar ingredient that you may find in other skin-care products. “This active ingredient contains terpenoids, which have been studied to enhance wound healing when applied topically just like snail mucin,” she says. “Cica can also speed up cell production and collagen production just like snail mucin is said to.”

Unlike snail mucin, cica contains plenty of antioxidants, which fight free radicals to protect your skin. “All in all, there has been more research done on cica compared with snail mucin, so I would say it would be a great alternative if you weren’t sure about adding snail mucin to your routine,” Smith says.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for a skin mucin product:

Snail mucin is easy and, at least based on existing research, appears to be safe for everyone to use. Dr. Chaudhry recommends starting slow, say by using the product just once every couple of days, to allow your skin to adjust and avoid any negative reactions.

Ready to get started? Consider the following.

Because snail mucin offers moisturizing benefits, it’s great to use at night, Chacon says. That way, your skin has the entire night to soak it in.

When to incorporate it in your routine depends on the product you’re using. Serums should be used before creams, essences should be used next, and creams should be the last step.

There’s no guide to how often you should use snail mucin, and there’s no need to worry about going overboard. “However, depending on your skin type, you may need to adjust the frequency with which you use them,” Chaudhry says. “For example, those with dry skin may need to use snail mucin products more often than those with oily skin.”

Chacon says it’s perfectly fine to use snail mucin once or twice a day (morning and night).

If you're interested in trying out a snail mucin product, here are three recommended options:

COSRX has an entire line of snail mucin products, and the essence stands out to Chaudhry. “This is a light yet hydrating Korean beauty staple,” Chaudhry says. “Formulated with 96 percent snail secretion filtrate, this essence helps to brighten skin tone and smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, Cosrx.com

Chacon recommends this product, which is safe for sensitive skin and is free of fragrance, artificial coloring, and parabens. You’ll also spot the snail secretion filtrate at the top of the ingredient list, meaning a significant percentage of the product comes from snail slime.

Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream, Walmart.com

This Korean skin-care brand is a great place to start if you’re ready to jump on the K-beauty bandwagon and comes recommended by Chacon. Their repair cream is packed with a concentration of 97.5 percent snail mucin.

SeoulCeuticals Multi-Function All-in-One Anti-Aging Snail Repair Cream, Amazon.com

“While more research is needed to confirm the full extent of the benefits of snail mucin, there is no doubt that it is a powerful skin-care ingredient,” Chaudhry says.

So far there aren’t any side effects to note — just plenty of potential upsides, including hydrated, younger-looking skin. It may even help you manage skin conditions and is believed to be safe to use during pregnancy. That said, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor if you have an underlying condition or are pregnant.

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