Snails are more than just friend-shaped creatures when it comes to skincare. These darling little critters actually provide an unexpected ingredient that works wonders on keeping skin soft, bouncy, and healthy. If you’re curious about the skincare benefits of snails, read on to get the rundown on the COSRX Advanced Snail line.

(Also, don’t worry about our gentle friends! COSRX snail mucin products are 100% cruelty free. More on that below. 🐌)

What you need to know: COSRX Advanced Snail Skincare

Advanced Snail Skincare gets its name from its hero ingredient: snail mucin. Snail mucin comes from the glands of snails, and is a key ingredient for protecting the surface of their skin, moisturising, and preventing snails from drying out.

The COSRX Advanced Snail Skincare line has been making waves on the internet and K-beauty circles these past few years, and we can attest—this crowd favourite definitely deserves the praise.

Despite using snail mucin, the skincare products are non-greasy without compromising moisture and protection. They protect against irritants and stressors all while helping your skin heal and recover, especially from sun damage. They also contain antioxidants that help prevent premature skin aging by defending skin against free radicals.

Ideal for the following skin types:

• Oily skin - snail mucin does not leave oily residue despite its moisturising effects
• Dry skin – the products layer well and are complementary to skincare routines geared towards dry skin
• Sensitive skin – snail mucin has soothing, healing, reparative properties

Skincare Benefits of Snail Mucin

Snail mucin contains collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycan, which makes it skin-friendly and beneficial for us. Yay, snail 🤝 human solidarity!

Promotes skin regeneration and renewal

Snail mucin helps encourage and accelerate the production of skin cells for a livelier complexion and to avoid premature aging.

Soothes damaged skin

UV rays, dirt, and other stressors can damage your skin, often leading to redness and irritation. Snail mucin calms, soothes, and helps your skin recover.

Reduces dark spots and pigmentation

Constant exposure to the sun, especially without SPF, often leads to hyperpigmentation and damage. Snail mucin comes clutch to help you manage and reduce dark spots for a healthier glow.

Protects skin against bacteria

Dirt, bacteria, and other environmental stressors contribute to skin damage, irritation, and acne breakouts. Snail mucin can protect you from these because of its antibacterial properties.

Improves skin elasticity

If you want soft, bouncy skin, then reaching for skincare with snail mucin is a good choice. Snail mucin contains elastin and collagen—key components in improving skin elasticity and decreasing fine lines.

Products and Skincare Routine

Get to know the stars of the COSRX Advanced Snail line and the best order to layer them for your skincare routine.

1. Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essence Mask

Dip into your TLC kit and get plump, nourished skin as the Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essence Mask is soaked in 35,000 ppm of snail mucin. Translation: enjoy hydration and nourishment that goes skin-deep. 

This sheet mask is lightweight and absorbs into your skin fast all while providing long-lasting hydration and a natural glow. It restores skin elasticity and repairs and moisturises damaged skin—the perfect fit for a night of pampering.

Skincare step: Goes after your toner and exfoliator.  

2. Advanced Snail Mucin Hydrogel Eye Patch

Stay glowing and bright-eyed, Peaches! 🍑  The Advanced Snail Mucin Hydrogel Eye Patch visibly hydrates, depuffs, and brightens your eye area.

Infused with 20,400 ppm snail secretion filtrate AND 2% niacinamide, it provides deep nourishment and hydration that shows. If you find yourself with dull and tired-looking—or even dehydrated and damaged—skin, this hydrogel eye patch can help bring back radiance to your undereyes.

Skincare step:

🐌 After your toner and exfoliator, on days when you’re not using the power essence mask or

🐌 After using an essence 

3. Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Meet one of the powerhouses of the COSRX Advanced Snail line. This lightweight essence helps you get that natural glow that screams healthy skin with its fast-absorbing and long-lasting hydration.

The Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence contains 96.3％ Snail Secretion Filtrate which translates to robust skin protection and the ultimate skin elasticity and hydration. In addition, this K-beauty product helps soothe red, sensitive skin after breakouts and repairs damage like dry patches, acne, and hyperpigmentation—by the power of snail mucin.

Skincare step: Goes after your sheet mask or eye patch. 

4. Advanced Snail Radiance Dual Essence

The Advanced Snail Radiance Dual Essence is our own genie in a bottle—although this one grants skin elasticity and radiance. 

This supercharged skincare product features two advanced formulas: First, 74.3% triple snail complex to restore skin elasticity and repair damage skin, and 5% niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone, boost skin radiance, and repair the skin barrier.

Snails, our little friends, really do pack a powerful punch. 

Skincare step: Goes after your sheet mask or eye patch. 

5. Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream

Say goodbye to dark circles and tired-looking eyes. The Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream visibly brightens, firms, and depuffs the eye area. It is formulated with 73.7% snail mucin, 5 types of peptides, 2% niacinamide, and Adenosine to improve collagen production, provide hydration, and rejuvenate skin.

This eye cream is smooth and lightweight to better cater to the sensitive area around your eyes.

Skincare step: Goes after your essence or before your face cream. 

6. Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream

Cap off your skincare routine with a hydrating cream that provides nourishment, hydration, and moisture without the oiliness. Get plump, healthy skin with the Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream.

It is formulated with 92% snail mucin and all-natural ingredients to prevent and protect skin from damage alongside repairing and soothing red, irritated skin. Perfect for individuals recovering after acne breakouts.

Skincare step: Last step of your routine! 

What happens to the snails COSRX uses?

Our little friends are safe and unharmed! It seems the critters live quite the comfortable life with COSRX. Here’s a quote from the Korean brand’s R&D team:

“Snails are placed over a mesh net in a dark and quiet room. As nocturnal creatures, this provides them with a comfortable space to freely roam about. After about an hour, the snails are transferred back to their homes while the mucin is collected and processed for use. Note, no external stress is applied to the snails or the mesh net for two different reasons.

First, it is prohibited to manufacture, distribute, and sell products that have undergone animal testing in Korea. Second, optimal mucin production occurs when snails are well-rested and content. So, no snails are hurt during the collection process!”

🐌 - 🐌 - 🐌

Like our snail friends, it is okay to take it slow and steady in life—especially when it comes to skincare.

You can get healthy and glowing skin with consistency, patience, and knowing what your skin needs so take your time and be kind to yourself.