Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that all live snail facials are dangerous. In fact, nowadays most animals are born through snail farming, which means that they are born in a safe and clean environment. Using live snails as a facial treatment started in the place where every skincare craze is born, South Korea! During a snail facial, live snails are placed on the client's face. While the snail trails through human skin, they then secrete a slime that is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. These substances help to hydrate and nourish the skin, resulting in a more youthful appearance. The snail facial has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more people seek out unique ways to care for their skin. Meet the experts: Dendy Engelman, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Hadley King, MD, clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Medical College of Cornell in New York City. Kimberly Landstrom, spa manager at the Conrad Spa in the Conrad Hotel in Los Angeles.

Snails have antioxidant properties that can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. In addition, snail slime contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to hydrate the skin and promote collagen production.So, which one is better? Snail skincare products are safely formulated for the skin, while it’s hard to define if the snails used for live snail facials are brought from farms and could be contaminated. Is live snail slime dangerous? Snail mucin sheet masks, moisturizers and skincare products like the COSRX snail mucin essence are making the rounds on social media, becoming a viral sensation on "SkinTok," so, we did some digging into snail mucin benefits and tapped our Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts and Y. Claire Chang, M.D., a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York, to see if this stomach-churning trend is actually worth the hype. What is snail mucin? Since Koreans are the queens and kings of the newest snail mucin craze, we’ve created a list with all the masks, creams, and serums that we’re obsessed with: 1. Snail serums and essences But how did this trend start? You’ll be surprised to hear that snail filtrate was introduced into the beauty world during Ancient Greece, where people would use the slime to heal their wounds! And the rest is history. Today, cosmetic and clinical research suggests that snail mucin is as good as the Greeks believed! 5 not so “ugh” snail mucin benefits that you’ll love! Achieve youthful, dark spots-free skin with the Repair Serum! This powerful serum is enriched with hanbang, a blend of traditional Korean herbal remedies and antioxidant-rich ginseng root water, to help repair and restore your skin's texture and complexion. With regular use, you'll see a noticeable reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, as well as hyperpigmentation and scarring.

When applied to the skin, snail mucin can help to repair damage and stimulate collagen production. It is also effective in treating acne, eczema, and other skin conditions. In addition to its skin benefits, snail mucin also contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to keep the skin hydrated. Some beauty products that contain snail mucin include serums, face masks, and creams. While it may seem unusual to use snail slime on the skin, there is no doubt that it is an effective ingredient in many beauty products.Without a doubt the most prolific snail mucin product on the market, this was the one that really put the ingredient on the map. The essence seems to go viral periodically, each time capturing a new legion of fans.

Do you recoil in horror when you see someone with snail slime all over their face? Do you think it’s a total “ugh”? Or are you one of the trendsetters who think that using snail facials is the latest, greatest way to take care of your skin?

Rewards For Life

Looking a smoothing effect? Try retinol. Antioxidant protection? Go with a vitamin C serum. Straight up hydration? You’d likely get incredible results by using a serum with just hyaluronic acid or glycerin. But, look, if you happen to love a product with snail mucin—go ahead and use it. Not to mention, I also looked terrifying (or like I was headed to a snail masquerade ball) and preferred not to spend any extra time in the mask. Snail mucin helps to hydrate while collodial gold assists skin cells in repairing damage. Use it on your face or body! Thanks to its exfoliating properties, snail mucin can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, scars, and even skin tone. But is the trendy ingredient any more effective than the ones dermatologists have been recommending for years to treat dryness? To find out, I turned to Dr. Engelman and two other skincare gurus—here’s what they had to say. What is snail mucin?

Snail mask products are pretty expensive in general. However, spending a lot of money on a snail sheet mask is not a good idea. Every product you choose should provide you with the best value for your money and favorable results. So, you can go for mid-priced ones if it meets your requirements. But, there is hardly any point in investing in snail masks if you do not use them the right way. Follow the right steps for the best results. How To Use A Snail Mask Are the snails harmed in the process? In most cases, companies take great care to ensure the answer is “No,” but one thing’s for sure: These products are not vegan. The benefits of snail mucin for skinAdditional research showed that treatment with snail mucin resulted in an improvement in wound healing—another interesting benefit worth considering. Are there any downsides to using snail mucin skincare? Touted for boosting skin hydration and reducing skin inflammation, snail mucin seems best for remedying skin barrier damage. It's said to contain various skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, allantoin (a soothing ingredient often found in toners for sensitive skin) and glycolic acid (a common exfoliant), notes Dr. Chang. Applying the two-sheet face mask was a struggle in itself. It was super slippery, gooey and tough to handle.