Introduction
Welcome to my guide to snail products for your face! After extensive testing, reviewing and experimenting with numerous Korean cosmetic products, I wanted to compile my favorite snail-based products in a quick, easy-to-use reference guide, below. You'll find some of the most currently popular Korean snail-based sheet masks and face products below, ranked according to cost, quality (based on how much snail filtrate is included in the product) and overall experience.

 But before we get to that, a few quick points:

Background
On a trip to Seoul, South Korea, I learned about the many benefits of interesting and underutilized products that offer benefits to skin--everything from using silkworm cocoons as exfoliators to how animal fat can be moisturizers.

But by far my favorite discovery centered around products that use snail mucus, also known as slime or serum, for moisturizing and healing benefits. After some research, I found there was substantial (though not definite) indications that snail mucus has a lot of potential benefits in skincare and cosmetics. Snail secretions reportedly can stimulate human skin to produce collagen, elastin and other components while while helping to prevent signs of sun damage and aging, overall resulting in healthier, better-looking skin.

​As snail products have begun to take off outside of Asia and across the world, more and more products pop up. Snail filtrate is showing more and more to have a host of benefits. (Read my full report, The Benefits and Risks of Using Snail Slime in Cosmetics, to learn more about the science of snail slime and its benefits.)

Snail mucus products are available in everything from face masks (my preferred vehicle) to lotions, creams, skin patches and more. I began gathering and comparing products, just scratching the surface of what's out there. I focused on the most popular and affordable Korean brands (For more on recommended Korean cosmetic companies, see this post.)

Tips
Even though I've tested many snail products and compiled the highlights below, I strongly recommend taking a look at the ingredients before purchasing snail mucus or serum products. In general, active compounds in snail mucus products can differ depending on the animal and its secretion. Environmental conditions, food source and extraction methods also affect snail mucus quality, so it is not always easy to guarantee consistent results. However, one thing you can look for is what percentage or PPM (part per million) snail filtrate is in the product. This is not always listed, but in general 10,000 PPM is a good amount to look for.

If PPM of snail secretion is not listed, my second go-to is to note how high snail filtrate is on the list of ingredients. If it is one of the last items listed, the concentration of snail mucus is likely very low.

Below, you'll see some of my recommendations for snail facial products that I have found personally useful and with a good amount of snail filtrate. Of course everyone's skin is different, so as with any recommendation make sure to test yourself and see what works well for your particular skin chemistry and make-up.

Metrics for the guide
And, without further delay, you'll find my comparison guide of snail products below. Inclusion in the list is based on a few factors, including overall popularity of the product, maker, cost and percentage of snail filtrate.

Three guides are below, separated out into "Top 3 Snail Masks," their runner-ups in "More A+ Snail Masks" and finally "Top Snail Face Creams." Any products I've already written reviews for I've linked to for further details. Those reviews go over my subjective experience with each and why I like them; analysis of the quality and percentage of the key ingredients; and other factors.

A note on costs
Where I can I've linked to Amazon options for purchasing, however Sokoglam and the respective U.S. website of the Korean cosmetic company may also offer additional options for purchasing. I encourage you to shop around for the best price and shipping options especially around Black Friday and other holiday sales.
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If I've missed any top-notch snail face products, please let me know in the comments!

In addition to face masks, snail facial creams are extremely moisturizing. Here are a few of my favorites.

And there you have it, the Science Beauty Gal's guide to top and trending snail-based face products! I hope to add more as time goes on so feel free to check back for additional recommendations. And, as always, please let me know in the comments if I've missed anything!

PRODUCT: Real Tea Gel Mask - Rose

COMPANY: Skinfood (Korean)

DESCRIPTION: Wow! Where to start? I love this mask for a number of reasons.

This is the first hydrogel mask I've tried (as opposed to cotton or fiber, which the average sheet mask is made of). This leads to a slightly slicker, slimier application, but I found moisture locked in much better and the mask also conformed comfortably to my face.

It was also the first sheet mask I've done which came in two pieces, one for the upper half of the face and one of the lower half. I found this dual application also helped the mask conform tightly to my skin.

The third "wow" factor of this mask was the pieces of real rose petals suspended in the gel. Those, together with rose essence, made for a lovely scented sheet mask.

Now, all of these perks--the material, the two-piece application and the embedded rose petals--comes at a higher price than the average $1 sheet mask. These run about $4, so they're definitely not for every day use.

INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan) Extract, Scutellaria Baicalersis Root Extract, Camellia Sinersis Leaf Extract, Artemisia Princeps Leaf Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Rosa Gallica FLower Powder, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Butylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Camelia Japonica Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Phenyl Trimethicone, Allatoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Water, Potassium Hydroxide 

You can see from the ingredient list that there are a lot of floral elements in addition to the rose. Cosmetic claims of rose ingredients range from "brightening" the skin to benefits for sensitive and particularly aged skin. Like most cosmetics, there seems to be little clinical evidence around the benefits of rose and floral elements on the skin, but the psychological effects of floral scents can be calming overall (I particularly find the rose scent relaxing and pleasant) and the cooling and moisturizing effect of the hydrogel pack calmed my reddened, sun-stressed skin.

Application of the sheet mask is pretty standard: apply to clean, toned skin and leave on for 20-40 minutes. Gently pat in (or wipe off) the excess liquid. As with all sheet masks and products in general, discontinue use if you have signs of redness, swelling, itchiness and do not use on troubled areas. 

SMELL: wonderfully rose fragrant but not overpowering

TEXTURE: cool and smooth, gel-like

YAY OR NAY: Yay, for special occasions, given the cost.

RATING: 3/3
Rating Score Sheet:
​1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back.
2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale.
3/3: Shut up and take my money!

LINK: It's hard to find this one as a solo purchase, but Skinfood often offers variety packs here   (this mask should run no more than $4 wherever you buy it).

You may have seen lip tints making the rounds, not just in Korean cosmetics but also in brands all over the world. But what exactly are they and, more importantly, should you get one?
 
What is a lip tint?
Lip tints are all the rage in Korea and elsewhere in the cosmetics world. These are stains that can be comprised of many different ingredients and can be matte or shiny. But the main separation from a lip tint and say, a classic lipstick, is that lip tints tend to be far more subtle (read: natural-looking) and also give you the option of easy gradients or layering. Personally, I also like lip tints because they are easy to apply and smudge, making them fairly forgiving for an easy or sloppy execution.
 
Lip tints can be applied several ways. For a gradient application, apply the lip tint in the center of the lips and blend outwards. For a darker or brighter look, apply several layers. For the matte versions, apply lip moisturizer beforehand.
 
Difference between a lip stain and a lip tint 
Lip stains literally stain the lips, with the color bleeding into your tissue. Those suckers stay on a long time, so make sure it's right before you leave the house! As I unfortunately learned one day trip, there will be no smudging and fixing later in the car.

Some of the Korean brands last a full day or more, especially ones branded as lip ‘tattoos’. Lip stains are also much more pigmented and brighter than tints. This makes them harder to take off--both a blessing and curse, depending on your usage. 

Lip tints by contrast are sheer and easily smudge across the lips. They come off easily and are much more natural looking.

​Both lip tints and lip stains work differently than lipsticks: they absorb into the skin moreso than lipstick, which forms a layer on top of your lips, sometimes resulting in that cracked look.

Lip tint types
Lip tints come in a variety of formats: water, gel, cream and oil. Water lip tints are the most common and also the most subtle. They tend to be well, watery, and very minimal or natural looking, providing an easy pop of light color. Despite the texture, they are actually quite drying on lips so you will definitely want to apply some lip balm beforehand.
 
Beware though—their staying power is fairly minimal so this is one you need to carry around with you. Others that go with a more “stain” texture can be a bit messy or drippy but absorb quickly into the lip. Make sure you test these out at the store first to see, as I’ve had the gamuntlet of water vs. dry tints.
 
In terms of ingredients, I’ve noticed many lip tints tend to have more botanical or natural ingredients, which can be a big plus for a lot of consumers (and with a bonus of having a nice subtle scent).

Pros and cons of lip tints
To summarize, if you’re considering trying a lip tint, here are the advantages and disadvantages. (Please note, these are tips for an average lip tint, but all lip tints vary based on ingredients.)

Pros:

• natural looking
• versatile as you can layer for a slightly brighter look
• light feeling on the lips and often fragrant
• most are affordable
• generally easy application
• many hues available

 
Cons:

• many tend to be short-lasting
• the color can be VERY subtle--potentially too subtle for some consumers
• the application can be drippy or wet at times (but absorbs quickly)

Lip tint recommendations
Read on for some of the Korean lip tints I’ve tried and enjoyed!

Tony Moly's Get It Tint is really more of a stain, but provides a nice, not-too-bright lip color that lasts a long time. It's available in a variety of colors which you can order online, including: All Night Red, Red Chili, Coral Pink Ming, Play Orange and Peach Punch. 

RATING: 3/3
Rating Score Sheet:
​1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back.
2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale.
3/3: Shut up and take my money!

Skinfood's Tomato Cool Jelly Tint (read full review here) is a gel-based tint but really I didn't notice much difference than a water tint. The application was slightly watery and very subtle, but created a nice natural color. Minimal staying power.

RATING: 2/3
Rating Score Sheet:
​1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back.
2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale.
3/3: Shut up and take my money!
​

Etude House's Water Tints are also subtle but I like the natural heightening of color they provide. 

​RATING: 2/3
Rating Score Sheet:
​1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back.
2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale.
3/3: Shut up and take my money!

Have you come across any amazing lip tints? Feel free to share!
​

PRODUCT: Pure Natural Mask Sheet Snail

COMPANY: The Saem (Korean)

DESCRIPTION: Snail-based mask sheets are one of my favorite products, as snail slime an ingredient that results in skin healing. 

As with all sheet masks and products in general, discontinue use if you have signs of redness, swelling, itchiness and do not use on troubled areas. 

INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: Water, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Snail Secretion Filtrate, PEG-75, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Chiorphenesin, Glycyrrhiza Giabra (Licorice) Root Extract, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Schizandra Chinensis Fruit Extract, Coptis Japonica Root Extract, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract, Camelia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Fragrance

The ingredients don't list the amount of snail secretion filtrate but it is fairly high on the list, a good sign.

SMELL: pleasant

TEXTURE: minimal

YAY OR NAY: Yay, for being a high-quality mask.

RATING: 2/3
Rating Score Sheet:
​1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back.
2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale.
3/3: Shut up and take my money!

LINK: Amazon
​

PRODUCT: Skin Clinic Mask (Madecassoside)

COMPANY: Innisfree (Korean)

DESCRIPTION: This is one of several in Innisfree's "Skin Clinic" line and the first I've tried. I was pleasantly surprised! The sheet mask is 100 percent cotton, resulting in a very fine and delicate texture (which is probably why it has a second backing sheet that needs to be removed). It's transparent and sticks very well onto the face, which the company claims allows for better absorption into the skin.

The first thing I wanted to know is what the heck is madecassoside? I had never heard of this ingredient, but after a quick Internet search I found that madecassoside is a chemical ingredient from the edible Centella asiatica plant, found in various regions in Asia and used in traditional Indian and Chinese healing. Centella asiatica is also known as centella, Asiatic pennywort or Indian pennywort or Gotu kola. There is a lot of hype around this plant regarding its healing ability when consumed, but I could  not find any peer-reviewed papers on the testing of this ingredient. Some websites claim that madecassoside has a soothing effect on skin and is particularly good for calming inflammation and reducing stretch marks.

One website also claims that madecassoside can have a sedative effect in large doses and recommends caution when using it, but you'll see from the ingredient list below that madecassoside appears in the middle of the list so is probably not incredibly potent in this product.

Onto the actual sheet mask!  The instructions are as follows (from the company description): 

1. After cleansing, use toner to refine skin texture. 
2. Take out mask from package and remove film. Evenly adhere it to entire face, avoiding eye and lip area. 
3. Remove the sheet after 10~20 minutes and gently pat to allow the remaining formula to absorb into skin.

This mask was incredibly effective, leaving my skin smooth, cool and refreshed after about 10 minutes of use before bed.
​
INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: Water, Butylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Glycereth-26, Betaine, Arginine, Carbomer, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Cellulose Gum, Madecassoside, Glycerin, Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract, Orchid Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Camellia Japonica Leaf Extract, Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Pelargonium graveolens Flower Oil, Disodium EDTA

Overall, this mask is light and comfortable leaves the skin refreshed and soft the next morning.
​
SMELL: lightly floral and citrus fragrance, very pleasant

TEXTURE: smooth

YAY OR NAY: Yay, for an excellent and affordable sheet mask in the Innisfree series.

A variety pack of the Innisfree Skin Clinic Mask Series can be a good way to test out which ingredients work best for your skin:

PRODUCT: Snail Solution Mask Sheet

COMPANY: Nature Republic (Korean)

DESCRIPTION: This is hands down my all-time favorite snail sheet mask. I bought a pack of 20 on a whim in Seoul's airport with the intent to share some as gifts but found them hard to part with. I ended up keeping most myself--they are that good!

If you've read my earlier posts, you know that snail-based mask sheets are a huge trend right now and, even though it may sound gross, snail filtrate (the excretion that snails leave behind) is excellent for softening skin, at least from an anecdotal perspective.

After cleansing, wear this mask after for 20-30 minutes before bed. As with all sheet masks, avoiding getting the product into your eye and remove immediately if you feel any irritation (some will tingle a bit; this is normal). I personally like to pat my face dry after using a mask and find I get a better effect in the morning.
​
INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Betaine, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Portulaga Oleracea Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber), Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Myrothamnus Flabelllifolia Callus Culture Extract, Propylene Glycol, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

This snail mask contains 2,000 ppm. This is important! A lot of masks and cosmetic ingredients don't list how much snail filtrate they have in them. Your first clue is how high snail filtrate or snail secretion filtrate is listed in the ingredients (generally ingredients are listed from the largest amount to least amount). But when it's listed the ppm, or parts per million, then you know exactly how much snail filtrate you're getting in the product. It's tell you the mass of a chemical or ingredient per unit of water (also listed as milligrams per liter, mg/L). 5,000 ppm would be great, but 2,000 isn't bad.

Overall, this mask is very pleasant and leaves the skin wonderfully soft the next morning.
​
SMELL: lightly fragrant

TEXTURE: minimal

YAY OR NAY: Yay, for the best mask I've tested so far.

LINK: Amazon

PRODUCT: TONYMOLY Intense Care Snail Gel Mask

COMPANY: TONYMOLY (Korean)

DESCRIPTION: If you've read my earlier posts, you know I adore snail-based mask sheets and products in general, as it's an ingredient that actually results in skin healing. TonyMoly is one of the hottest cosmetic stores in South Korea, and has recently branched to the U.S. (you can spot their brand in Ulta and many other U.S. stores). This particular mask is unique as it's made of 100 percent cotton, yielding a softer face mask experience than other products. 

After cleansing, wear this mask after for 20-30 minutes before bed. As with all sheet masks, avoiding getting the product into your eye and remove immediately if you feel any irritation (some will tingle a bit; this is normal). I personally like to pat my face dry after using a mask and find I get a better effect in the morning. 
​
INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, PEG-32/PPG-17/6 Copolymer, Glacier Water, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Panthenol, Allantoin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Betaine, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Arginine, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Fragrance

The ingredients don't list the amount of snail secretion filtrate and unfortunately it is pretty low down on the list. However, I found this mask to be highly effective, soft and enjoyable, probably because of the cotton texture combined with the moisturizing ingredients. According the the packaging, the mask sheet is made of non-bleached fabric containing cottonseeds, an extra bonus. 
 
SMELL: pleasant

TEXTURE: minimal

YAY OR NAY: Yay, for a comfortable, relaxing and moisturizing mask.

RATING: 3/3

Rating Score Sheet:
​1/3: Wish I could turn back time and get my money back.
2/3: Decent enough to buy again, especially if it's on sale.
3/3: Shut up and take my money!

More info: Amazon (note that most sheet masks in Korean are about $1 but can be marked up 3 or 4 times as much when buying in the U.S.)

PRODUCT: Snail moisture mask sheet

COMPANY: IT'S SKIN (Korean)

DESCRIPTION: South Korean beauty shops offer a LOT of sheet masks, more than an individual could every try. However, snail-based mask sheets are touted for being exceptionally moisturizing and healing. This Snail moisture mask sheet is no different. It's Skin is one of my favorite Korean cosmetic companies and generally I found their products to be of high quality.

After cleansing, wear this mask after for about 15-20 minutes before bed. As with all sheet masks, avoiding getting the product into your eye. I personally like to pat my face dry after using a mask and find I get a better effect in the morning. According to the packaging, the mask "contains various kinds of moistures to manage original clear skin and make health skin" (verbatim). Let's take a closer look at the ingredients and see if that holds true!
​
INGREDIENT ANALYSIS: Water, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Morus Alba Bark Extract, Portulaca Oleracea Extract, Polysorbate 80, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Parfum, Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol

Though the ingredients don't list the amount of snail secretion filtrate, because it is the 4th ingredient listed, it is a significant make-up of the product. That combined with rice extract and baobab seed are a triple-whammy of moisturizing.
 
SMELL: pleasant

TEXTURE: minimal

YAY OR NAY: Yay, for a super-moisturizing effect and for listing snail secretion filtrate (the key moisturizing ingredient) high on their list.

LINK: Amazon