COSRX Snail Mucin Essence Review [In-Depth]
Snail mucin has become a trusted Kbeauty ingredient over the years and rightfully so with the results it's delivered. And this is the BEST, no-frills, concentrated essence that is formulated with 96% snail mucin. Keep reading for the full COSRX Snail Mucin Essence review!
Quick facts:
EWG's Skin Deep® Database Rating: 2 EWG rating
Formulation: Paraben free, alcohol free, fragrance free, the snail mucin is a cruelty free process and is not tested on animals (however, since it is derived from animals, this is not vegan)
Potential irritants: No known irritants
Application: Lightweight but viscous, slightly gooey texture to it but isn’t super sticky
Where to buy: Amazon or StyleVana
Price: $13 USD but sometimes on Amazon they will have mini bundles that is cheaper
Scent: A slightly orangey scent but it says nothing on the COSRX website
Packaging: Comes in an translucent plastic pump bottle, following the traditional COSRX minimalist branding. Comes in three different sizes, 100ml, 30ml, 20ml
COSRX Snail Essence benefits
In general, snail mucin can be used on all skin types.
The COSRX Snail Essence is supposed to moisturize and boost the production of collagen, soothe irritation, and deliver a variety of good nutrients like anti-inflammatory zinc, and healing manganese. It contains copper peptides, also lauded for their collagen-increasing and wrinkle-decreasing effect, as well as vitamins A and E, both of which are great antioxidants.
The COSRX website notes that this light-weight essence absorbs quickly into the skin to give a natural glow. The Snail Mucin ingredient helps to improve the skin elasticity whilst also protecting the skin from any moisture loss.
From using this essence for the past 3 months I can attest to the hydrating effects of the product. I typically use this in the evenings prior to moisturizing. However, other than the hydration, I haven't noticed any other differences in my skin texture or plumpness. That's why I have not included it in my product recommendations list.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ingredients
We will be breaking down some of the key points below, but you can also read our in-depth guide on how to read skincare ingredient labels to see if the formulation would be right for you.
Snail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine cosrx.com
Looking at the ingredient list, you’ll see that snail secretion filtrate is at the top and there's no water in the formula.
According to INCIDecoder, the key ingredient Snail Secretion Filtrate, aka snail slime or snail mucin, is claimed to be able to repair everything from dry patches, acne breakouts to signs of aging. Other ingredients in the formulation appear to be hydrating, non irritating and non comedogenic as well.
Is Snail Essence cruelty-free?
On the COSRX website, it says that their snails are placed over a mesh in a dark and quiet room, where they are left alone to freely roam the net and leave mucin in their trails, so none are harmed in the mucin harvesting process.
BUT apparently, the snail mucin isn't just from when the snail normally moves, but it's a substance that is excreted when the snail is under stress...so I'm not sure if the snails are afraid of the dark or what but because it is a stress-induced excretion, it's comprised of ingredients meant to repair or protect from injury.
I'm not sure if snails that are subjected to stress would be classified as cruelty-free, but it makes me kind of sad thinking about it so I won't be repurchasing.
How to use the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence
- After cleansing and toning, apply 1-2 pumps onto your face and neck area.
- Take your time and gently pat in the essence to aid absorption, and then apply your moisturizer as usual.
Can I use COSRX Snail Mucin without toner?
You can also skip the toning step and apply the snail mucin essence directly after cleansing, on damp skin. For oily skin gals, you can use the snail mucin just on its own.
Is Snail Essence good for acne?
Even though the ingredients are non-comedogenic, some reviews online mention that they have found the snail mucin can cause whiteheads. Definitely try it on smaller areas beforehand in case you have sensitive skin or are allergic.
The product is also a little sticky upon application - so this may also be uncomfortable for those who like products that fully absorb into the skin. I personally prefer this in the wintertime in the evening routine.
Why this product is best for dry or combination skin types
When I first tried this product, the tackiness of the serum felt a bit too heavy for the daytime. I imagine for more oily skin types, you may enjoy this just on its own. Or you may want to opt for something that is lighter altogether. In addition, if you're acne-prone (or allergic), you might want to try this on a smaller spot to see how your skin fares.
Overall, if you have dry skin, you might really like the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence. If you'd like to consider other options though, be sure to check out my recommendations list!
Comment below if you've tried this and loved it, I'd like to know!
Cheers,
Tia
*This post contains some affiliate links – however, these are all my honest opinions and experience. Leave a comment if you’ve found it helpful!