This Slimy Ingredient Has Taken Over Beauty TikTok: What You Need To Know

Specifically, many people have been taking to TikTok to chat about slimy snail products, claiming this ingredient helps care for their moisture barrier, clear breakouts, and give them an overall dewy look (and who doesn't want all of that?). We're here to explain what snail mucin is, who it's good for, and where to find it, so you can take part in the hype, too. 

Now, you may be wondering how the snail mucin gets harvested (a fair question to ask, we might add). And here's the thing: You can't say for sure that every single company harvests snail mucin in the same way. Responsible beauty is very much top of mind here, so we recommend looking for snail mucin products harvested in a humane fashion. (Don't worry; we'll recommend some of our top choices later on.)

While the research we have is limited, we can't ignore snail mucin's long history of use in a variety of cultures. "From the evidence we do have, and also anecdotally, snail mucin has shown itself to have healing properties whose exact mechanism seems to stem from induction of cell proliferation and migration," Marcus explains. "The hydrating properties of hyaluronic acid and allantoin also contribute to the restoration of the skin barrier, while other ingredients found in snail mucin, including antioxidants, glycosaminoglycans, and growth factors are all beneficial ingredients in skin care."

When it comes to zits, it's important to remember that everyone's skin is different, and pimples have many different causes. It is worth noting that some people may experience breakouts because of a damaged (and inflamed) skin barrier; in that case, boosting hydration can likely make a big difference when it comes to breakouts. 

Snail mucin is generally safe for all skin types, which isn't necessarily common when it comes to other powerful actives. Does this mean everyone needs to use snail mucin? Of course not. However, you might find significant benefits if you're looking for intense hydration, which comes from the mucin's hyaluronic acid and allantoin. So for those looking to heal a compromised skin barrier or have overall dry skin, this ingredient may actually be a game-changer. 

It's worth noting that both of these companies use cruelty-free methods to harvest their snail secretions. Again, we recommend doing your research before buying snail mucin products to ensure the ingredients are ethically sourced. 

Typically, here's where we list out products or steps you should avoid mixing with a certain ingredient. Not this time! Snail mucin is a simple, hydrating ingredient that plays nice with all products and is beneficial for all skin types. "It is primarily a hydrating ingredient, and unless you are allergic, it should be well tolerated by most, if not all, skin types," Tiffany Libby, M.D., resident dermatologist of Reserveage, explains. Of course, it's always best to patch test on the inside of your arm before applying any new ingredient to your face, just in case.