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. If I've missed any top-notch snail face products, please let me know in the comments! TOP 3 Snail-BASED FACE masks
Never used a sheet mask before? Whether a novice or pro, check out some quick tips to make the most of your sheet masks!
MORE A+ Snail fACE Masks that Won't Break the Bank
In addition to face masks, snail facial creams are extremely moisturizing. Here are a few of my favorites.
favorite snail FACIAL CREAMS:
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What: Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence by CosRX
Why: This product is one of the best, in my opinion, for snail-based moisturizing before bed and during the day. The almost-sticky clear liquid dries quickly and leave skin soft. Bonus - it also comes as a cream. Cost: $ Rating: 4/5 Buy: Amazon |
What: Snail Bee High Content Steam Cream
Why: This is what's known as a "steam cream" - a newer manufacturing technology reported to increase the efficiency of the ingredients. In addition to snail mucin this cream also has bee venom to help improve skin. Cost: $ Rating: 5/5 Buy: Amazon |
What: All in One Snail Repair Cream by Mizon
Why: This is a hugely popular cream and with a high level of snail secretion filtrate. Particularly helpful for dry skin and mild breakouts. Cost: $$ Rating: 5/5 Buy: Mizon (Amazon) |
What do you think of Etude House Gold Darling+Repairing and emulsion?
Hi Brenda,
The Etude House Gold Darling + Repairing Emulsion is a great option to try. It incorporates both snail filtrate and gold particles, which have been shown to have an antibacterial effect. It is a bit lighter than most face cream and slightly pricier than other options but worth a try, in my opinion.
Thank you for mentioning that you should look for how much snail filtrate is in a product and that 10,000 PPM is an acceptable amount. My wife is interested in using some skincare products that are made from natural ingredients, but she wants to make sure that they are safe. I'll let her know that she needs to keep the amount of snail filtrate in mind when she is shopping for skincare products.
Hi Stefan,
Happy to be of service! Snail filtrate is one ingredient which, as long as it's from a reputable company, is very safe even in large amounts. However, as with any product or ingredient, some skins may react differently so it is best to try a small amount before applying more broadly.
While there is not many reviews for the TONYMOLY Intense Care Snail Gel Mask on Amazon, one reviewer did state that the first ingredient listed as Mineral oil, a petroleum product. They said that mineral oil was drying for the skin. Is this true? You may email me with an answer in case I do not see it.
Hi Laura,
Great question! Mineral oil for skincare has been a topic of intense debate lately. Mineral oil is often used as an emollient--an ingredient which forms a layer on the skin that traps water to treat dry skin. It does not dry the skin, but in fact helps moisturize it. However it can, in some cases, lead to clogged pores (depending what else is in the ingredient list or if you're adding to dirty skin). I personally would use mineral oil ingredients on my face sparingly or in the cases of extreme dryness.
Hey I read this article about the snail slime/filtrate and I’ve recently bought and been using this cream and serum from “Yeouth” the retinol 2.5% serum and the day and night cream with the snail filtrate in it. And I wanted to see if you knew those were good products for my facial condition, I guess that’s what you would call it. I have adult acne still at 34 and some redness to my face and wanted to mainly focus on the acne and smoother face, but also wanted a product or products to help with wrinkles. Please help! Need information and tips on how I can stop trying all these new products and stick to something that works good.
Hi Lacy,
Thanks for your question! I have not researched this brand but for any new product, it's helpful to test it out for a while (as long as there are no adverse effects) and then switch to something else if you aren't nothing an improvement. There are a lot of factors that affect skin beyond the snail filtrate, so some people test the pH of their skin to see what product would be most effective. I highly recommend consulting with a medical professional for guidance.
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