List1 of 10
First of all, yes, snail-mucin is pretty much what it sounds like: the goo left behind by snails. Your first instinct would probably not be to put that stuff on your face, but don’t panic just yet.
In a new interview with STYLECASTER, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” star Lana Condor shared her beauty secrets and favorites. Among revealing that she loves long, bright nails, typically opts for a burnt-orange color palette for her makeup and sticks to just a light BB cream when she’s not working, she also explained that she’s interested in experimenting with snail mucin since visiting South Korea.
Among her face masks, jade rollers and NuFace tools, Condor said that this tricky little ingredient is big in the K-beauty scene.
“There are a lot of people using snail goo in their products, and apparently it does wonders for your skin,” she said. “When I went to Korea, it was beauty heaven.”
So, uh, what exactly do “snail goo” products entail? First of all, it’s important to note that dermatologists are quick to point out that not a whole lot of research has been done on the ingredient, but what has been found has been notable. Snail mucin, or snail secretion filtrate (SSF) on packages, is a stress-induced excretion, so it’s, by nature, meant to protect and repair.
When used in skin care, then, snail mucin acts as a collagen-booster and moisturizer, which, combined, helps your skin’s restoration and healing efforts. Though it’s typically considered safe for all skin, its hydrating properties make it especially beneficial for dry skin types, and the products that contain snail mucin usually combine it with skin-brightening ingredients like vitamin C and glycolic acid. It also contains allantoin, which combats skin irritation, and is full of nutrients like zinc and manganese.
Of course, since it’s an animal byproduct, it can’t be considered vegan, and with anything else, you could be allergic, so test it out first!
If this sounds like something you’d be down to add to your skin care routine, here are eight ways to weave it into your product line-up.