SNAIL MUCIN FOR SKIN: ICKY OR INCREDIBLE?

Which is excreted by snails We speak to experts to find out if this substance, is worth all the hype skincare products today, and is a key component of

It’s a gooey, slimy, stringy substance excreted by snails. Yet, snail mucin has disrupted the skincare world, making its way to the shelves of many who are, without a flinch, slathering some on their face day after day. If the hype around it is to be believed, snail secretion filtrate appears to be a promising new entry into the world of gamechanging skincare.

While the ingredient has only recently come into the spotlight, owing to the popularity of Korean beauty products — of which it is a common constituent — its use is believed to date back to nearly 2,500 years. “Snail mucin was widely used by the Greeks for its skin healing benefits. It was also used for cuts and wounds in ancient times,” says Dr Pooja Chopra, senior consultant dermatologist at Aakash Healthcare, Delhi. In fact, Greek physician Hippocrates is said to have prescribed crushed snail shells and sour milk as a treatment for inflamed skin.

RISE ’N’ SLIME

Snail mucin or snail secretion filtrate is excreted by snails and used in serums, essences and moisturisers formulated by several cruelty-free brands. “Products that contain snail mucin moisturise and plump the skin. It is a useful exfoliant and has antiinflammatory properties, too,” says Chopra.

Bhavika Dhall, a beauty and skincare content creator from Delhi, says this is one ingredient she reaches out to for any skin concern: “If I have to choose one skincare ingredient for the rest of my life, this would be it.”

Snail slime’s hydrating and healing properties come from its constituent ingredients, explains Dr Sakshi Srivastava, senior consultant, Department of Dermatology at Jaypee Hospital, Noida, UP. “It contains hyaluronic acid, allantoin, antioxidants, zinc, glycosaminoglycans and manganese, which aid in hydrating, soothing the skin and in building collagen,” she says.

MUST-HAVE? PROBABLY NOT

Owing to the K-beauty stamp of approval and testimonials by skincare buffs, the popularity of snail mucin has grown vastly. However, research around the ingredient, which experts believe is largely safe and harmless, is rather limited.

Dr Ramanjit Singh, visiting consultant, dermatology, at Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana, points out that snail mucin is not yet FDA-approved, so if purification is not adequate, it may cause allergies. A patch test on the inside of your forearm is recommended to avoid any reactions, even though there are no well-documented side effects of the product so far.

The takeaway, then, is that while the ingredient could be beneficial, it need not be an essential component of one’s skincare routine — at least until we have enough scientific evidence to prove its efficacy. “But, once you have your cleanser, moisturiser and broad-spectrum sunscreen, followed by more evidence-based extras like a retinoid or vitamin C, you could consider adding snail mucin to the routine, too,” says Srivastava.

Products that contain snail mucin moisturise the skin. It also promotes collagen synthesis, which aids in skin healing and regeneration.

DR POOJA CHOPRA, Senior consultant dermatologist