Snail slime in skincare: do you support the use?
What started out as a new revolutionized skincare ingredient from Korea is now one of the popular upcoming skincare ingredients in cosmetic products. First appearing as a major ingredient in one of the major BB cream brands, snail slime now has its own line of products that some women are swearing by to achieve good complexions. Using snail slime in skincare sounds really weird to me, and I’m skeptical about its efficacy. When I tried to find out, I realized that there are not many researches being done to test its efficacy, probably because it is still a relatively new skincare ingredient.
How is snail slime supposed to benefit the skin?
Having being discovered by chance after Chilean snail farmers reportedly found their skin to heal quicker than normal with no scars after handling snails for sale in markets, the same Chilean farmers went on to launch Chilean snail slime products some 15 years ago. It is supposed to soothe, regenerate and heal skin, and best for preventing acne and premature aging. It is also known to be moisturizing to the skin.
Are the snail slime benefit claims proven?
Snail slime, also known technically as Helix Aspersa Muller Glycoconjugates, is made up of proteins, glycolic acids and elastin that enables snails to be protected from skin damage, infection and protection from UV rays. Some websites also mentioned that snail mucus stimulates collagen and increases its ability to hold water in the skin and to heal topical wounds quickly. Despite all these purported benefits to the skin and being used in large amounts in some skincare products, scientists have yet to confirm all these claims.
Is it realistic and humane to use snail slime?
While it may sound exotic and interesting to try, the way of obtaining snail slime is not very thoroughly described and explained, except it is “mechanically stressed†to encourage slime secretion from the snails and then filtering the mucus multiple times to ensure purity before being packaged. Even though the description is very brief, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the ways that could be used to ensure maximum snail slime production so that there are always enough to be packaged and sold. So if you are against animal cruelty, snail slime products are definitely to be avoided.
Will you be willing to use snail slime?
I am very skeptical about using snail slime in skincare products. Apart from its weirdness, I find it highly unrealistic for companies to be extracting snail slime in large amounts and packaging it to be sold around the world. So I don’t quite condone the methods of extracting snail slime and besides, there hasn’t been any solid proof as to whether snail slime really does what it claims to do. And until it is really scientifically proven, I’m not buying this snail slime idea.
Over to you
So my question today to you ladies is, are you willing to give snail slime a try? Or are any of you using it in some of your skincare already? Do you support the use of snail slime? Do share what you think!
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Well, this is the first time i am hearing of this. I would not use it coz I am against animal cruelty and I am sure there will be alternatives for this.
Honestly, this just sounds disgusting. I don’t think I’d use products containing this even if I was into animal products :/
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I’ve been slimed! I have bought Missha’s bb creams, and was interested to see their Super Aqua mask and moisturizer, both containing snail slime. They claim snails are not harmed, and are fed ginseng leaves! Snails seems to leave a lot of slime naturally, so I am open to believe them. Apparently snail slime was used by Herodatus, hundreds of years ago. Its not a recent discovery. The slime protects the fragile shell of the snail, and can also protect skin….or so I read. I have enjoyed the products.
I have heard of it, but yet to try it ?
I am not in a rush to try it. Also, I really feel like the snail is so ill-treated just to get the slime, and for beauty purposes. =( But this is really just personal. I think there are other ingredients like deep sea plankton that can be grown in cultivation tanks, that makes so much more sense for beauty purposes. So for now, it’s no to snail slime.
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My Peruvian friend told me about this. I was very intrigued actually. She said she got into a car accident in Brazil, when to the hospital with a lot of cuts (some of which are quite deep), and they gave her snail slime to apply on her wounds. Her wounds healed beautifully. I saw her a month after her accident, and wouldn’t have guessed she was in an accident.
Ops, sorry for the multiple typos. Got used to the edit function on FB.
leave the poor snails alone!
but what ai said about snail slime being used to heal wounds in brazil is quite interesting!
I really really want to try it!!! Come on, how much different is it to have snail slime in your skin care products than rubbing raw egg on your face, or coating your hair in mayonaise? But people have done these things for many years because of the claim of the beauty benefits…. I say “yes” to snail slime!
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I’m a bit surprised. I live in Brazil and I have never heard of it. Interesting though.
I am not against snail slime. I’ve used it but with no improvements and am not really keen to trying again. I think it depends on the company but there are ways to extract slime without harm to the snails. So as long as people like it..
Yes i’m sure there are many alternatives out there too.
It does sound really weird, doesn’t it?
That’s interesting. Did your skin have any noticeable improvements after using it?
Hehe, keep a lookout on them!
I sure hope this doesn’t become a new trend and increase in the demand because I can’t imagine companies breeding and collecting snails just to produce enough slime for consumers!
Wow. That’s interesting. If only there’s a before and after picture for us online readers to see!
Although I doubt I’ll use it, i’m curious as to whether it works or not.
Haha you sound really excited to try it. Go keep an eye on the korean BB products, you might be able to find one with snail slime. ?
Ahh.. Someone should really start researching snail slime’s effectiveness. I’m dying to see if those beauty claims are true.
When I was a kid, I was so fascinated with snails I let some slime over my hands. Maybe I should do that again and see if I notice any difference to my skin. xD
Needless to say, I’m not thrilled at the thought of snail cruelty.
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My skin has recently improved but I also started using a Light Stim led device during the same period. In general, I have liked Missha products, they have evened and refined my skin tone. I also use their Signature BB cream.
I’m actually keen to try it. I recalled watching a TVC years back way before the Korean hype and it sounded so amazing. I remember watching a show where a girl said she doesn’t believe in snail creams since it’s not 100% snail slime. So instead she reared snails and let them climb all over her face.
ok sorry for grossing you out. xD
I’m using snail cream from The Skin House. my face was peppered with lots of acne marks before. but i’ve been religiously using snail slime once per day daily since March. now i can see improvements. my scars are diminishing, the skin appears smoother and my pores are cleaner. now, i don’t even use toner or moisturiser because the snail slime alone can provide enough moisture to my skin.
Korea has a latest fad now using snake and bee venom. i think that’s where i’ll draw my line with animals in cosmetic. the notion of applying venom onto skin sounds… lethal. whereas, snail slime is… well, kinda meek. LOL!
Oh snake and bee venom are really off putting and yes, snail slime does appear kinda mild in comparison. ?
It all sounds just very “icky” to me. I would never put this stuff anywhere near my face.
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Haha…I can understand.
Love that..I’ve been slimed! Sounds like the making of some prank show
I’ve just heard about BB cream recently, like 2 weeks ago from my gf when we met up for lunch. I didn’t think it made her skin look more radiant, I thought it looked more blotchy. I think if you don’t have flawless skin, less is best and definitely no powder, just looks cakey. With the snail slime factor in, it is a big no for me and agreed more solid research has to be done by reputable institutions. Poor snails, do you think they start chasing the snail around to stress them out, so they can get more slime????
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Protect-the-snails/216361200954
We share your views on animal rights!
Hi there! I just found your website while searching further on how others think about snail slime. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t ewww at first. But after reading further and looking into the products, the ones sold in Korea, I was very curious to try. And I’m glad I did! I wrote a post about this particular brand, which I came across when I started blogging, and I have a before and after shot there of how it vanished my spots in just one day! I could have never done that with any of the creams I tried before. Feel free to check out. http://sweetjellybean.com/2012/05/28/review-all-in-one-snail-repair-cream-by-mizon-the-worth-it-cream/
Based on what we’ve read so far, snail slimes are not being harmed nor killed during the mucin collection process, but I’m trying to find out more. What I don’t understand is, some people view this as harming the snails, but what about those who actually eat them?? Well these are just my thoughts. (P.S. Snake venom are not really snake venom put in beauty products, they’re just imitation, otherwise it’d be too deadly for us human to use.) Love your site! Lots of very good information.
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Great that the product worked well for you. ?
I guess as in everything, there will be supporters and defenders and so it’s really an individual call. I can’t judge those who support using or eating or won’t do so.
Hi there everyone, it’s my first pay a quick visit at this website, and article is actually fruitful designed for me, keep up posting these articles or reviews.
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People need to consider that in a cosmetic/skincare product, it isn’t just 1 ingredient.
Even if there is snail mucin in the product, whatever benefits it has would have been destroyed by the combination of other chemicals as well as the processes that go into manufacturing the product.
The end result that actually makes the skin smoother etc… would actually be the work of the other chemicals, rather than the snail mucin.
Since I like snails, I find myself unable to support the use of these products or even recommend them to others.
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I tried Elisha Coy snail cream. It works pretty well and it has a nice smell to it as well. It actually helps with anti aging.
Hey! I got a product in Memebox with snail slime extract. I have no use of the product now after reading this post. Probably will sell it online to someone who would like to have it.
I can’t believe people are more concerned about efficacy and ickiness than how the snails are treated.
If the process really was humane, they wouldn’t have needed to be so hush-hush about it. “Mechanically stressed” is an euphemism – what on earth is being done to the snails?
Seeing as animals are harmed in the making of this, no one should ever use it.
IT SHOULD BE BANNED.
I’m pleasantly surprised that so many of you are concerned about the snails! I didn’t think people would really care since they’re generally considered to be gross.
I actually have some snails as pets so I could easily get their slime the all-natural way, haha. Maybe I’ll do a little test by letting them snail around on my skin regularly!
First of all snail are an invasive species! In South & Central America & now even in parts of the USA like FLorida…they are over run by snail. I read how they have so many in Central America that their slime cause road slicks, damages homes & more. In captivity they are bunches by the 100’s & make an ungodly amount of slime. No need to freet about cruelty! Plus, they are not classified as animals anyway. They are bugs people!
That said, I have been using a Caracol Cream for a few years now! I swear by it. I might do other lotions & potions but this stuff is amazing & I leave it on all day about 3 times a week(or all night). It’s a little sticky so wear it when yo sleep or on the weekends if you stay home. Not to use under makeup. I got a great Deal on Choxi.com I am 52 & look about 38 soooo…Hell Yeah! I slime myself & I love it!
This is an interesting new subject in cosmetics to me. I struggle with dermatillomania and scarring on my face so I am willing to try almost anything. But I don’t like to support mistreatment of animals however small and slimy they may be. Plus snails are kinda cute and I used to make them pets and tiny block homes as a kid. I’ve seen different methods in searching for the truth about slime extraction. One method didn’t bother me as they basically rinsed live snails and then spun them in a salad spinner! The creatures hide in their shells and ooze foamy slime. They pour off and filter the slime. I don’t know what happens to the snails after its not shown or discussed anywhere. Another method looked awful- as it appeared they brushed some substance on the creature, and it foamed and looked yellow and they appeared to scrape the whole soft body out of the shell. The process wasn’t described so I can’t be sure what I was seeing. I do believe the best, most non harmful and humane way to benefit from snail slime is simply to gather some from your own garden and do the same salad spinning method and re-release them back into the garden- after their roller coaster ride. Yes it is “stress” but I don’t think salad spinning really causes any major suffering to the creature, and it forgets and moves slowly on. Alternatively give yourself a live snail facial, and just let them crawl on cleansed skin. You could smear a thin layer of a favorite food on your face they like, such as beer, or algae powder, to encourage them to hang out and move around. I will have to thoroughly research any products I’m interested in, and will probably experiment and ultimately start making my own. Likely get a bottle to reuse that I like with a similar product to compare and learn ingredients- and just try to develop my own recipe and refill the bottle with my own version. Snail slime how hard can it be. Salad spinner, cheesecloth/strainer, filter the shit water it down a bit, maybe add tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract drops to make sure the mix is clean and no bacteria lives or grows in it, keep it in the fridge and voila. Save $50 bucks and greenhouse gases shipping stuff all over. ?
PS. However on the other hand- I have eaten escargot and all sorts of shelled creatures with varying degrees of sentience, oysters, lobsters…and if one was so inclined culinarily- you could even prepare and eat them after harvesting slime for cosmetic use. I am not really opposed as I’m not vegan, I’m omnivore and support sustainable animal agriculture. Basically I don’t want to support industrial-scale animal mistreatment. If a company can prove themselves to have higher standards and to be responsible & humane then I could theoretically support them and recommend them and their methods and not others. But I tend to believe usually the best way to ensure things are being done in accordance to your own standards and beliefs is to DO THEM YOURSELF! ? want it done “right”? ? … do it…!
SURPRISE! I’ve been using snail cream for about 8 days now and it is GREAT!!!!! My face is soft, moisturized and smooth and the best thing of all is my WRINKLES ARE FADING. Also pores are going away too!!! Great stuff…go on try it for yourself..
I agree. All they care about is how they will look after using it. Snails are suffering and their freedom taken from them. Is there any creature on this planet that Korea is not using for profit?
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