CosRx Snail Mucin Essence Review: A Universal Skin Miracle?

If you follow skincare trends at all, you’ve probably heard of CosRx Snail Mucin Essence or, as it’s sometimes called, CosRx Advanced Snail 96 Power Essence, or maybe just: “that snail cream stuff everyone’s talking about.” CosRx, a longtime K-beauty sensation, burst onto the US skincare scene in 2017. Since then, his emollient snail serum has received more than 40,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, regularly tops “best of” beauty lists, and has repeatedly gone viral on social media, where it has received more than 75 million views (and counting!). has TikTok views. Today, it’s a popular and enduring skin care product—makeup artists, dermatologists, and even actresses like Emily Ratajkowski have been praising its skin-healing effects for years.

“Snail slime can be effective on all skin types,” says the Philadelphia-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nazanin Saedi. “Mucin has many protective properties and contains ingredients that help repair skin. Small studies have shown that it helps hydrate dry skin, strengthen the skin barrier, stimulate collagen production, and heal wounds.” Additionally, CosRx snail slime is hypoallergenic, odorless, and free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. And the price really can’t be beat, it’s $25, but usually on special offers much fewer. Enthusiasts refer to the sticky plasticizer as “Miracle elixir.“We wanted to know: Does it actually work?

COSRX

Okay, first of all: What exactly is snail slime?

Snail slime is basically the substance that snails secrete when they move. It is a mucus-like protein and contains several compounds — including collagen, elastin and glycolic acid — that experts have long considered beneficial for human skin. Mucin has a slimy/viscous texture that is essential for snail functioning: the mollusks secrete it when they are stressed, and it also helps them hydrate and adhere better to surfaces when crawling.

Wait, does collecting snail slime harm the snails?

Snail slime is obtained in different ways by different companies. None of these kill the snails, most of them are touted as “harmless”. Of these, the CosRx method is perhaps the most humane. Snail slime is obtained in laboratories by letting the animals crawl along meshes in dark, quiet rooms and then collecting everything they leave behind. A 2018 investigation into the ethics of snail slime in The Outline reported that this method does not interfere with the snails’ natural process and does not force the animals to overproduce.

What is the history of snail slime? How did we come to find something like this?

While it may sound like a silly fad, using snails in skin care is anything but new. Accordingly a 2004 article about the healing properties of snails Published by Oxford University Press, the practice of treating skin conditions with snail mucus dates back at least to the ancient Greeks, when Hippocrates extolled the benefits of using the animal’s mucus to soothe burns and other superficial wounds. Centuries later, the slippery extract returned to the skincare spotlight when the popular South American snail slime-based brand Elicina launched in 1995. Elicina’s products – which can still be purchased today – were developed after local Chilean farmers reported that minor cuts and abrasions healed more quickly and thoroughly after handling snails. Note: The big difference between Elicina’s Snail Cream and CosRx Snail Mucin Essence is that Elicina’s version contains 80% snail mucin, while CosRx’s is a more concentrated formula that reaches a whopping 96%.

There is actually Benefits of using snail slime? What does snail slime do to my skin?

Reviewers and brand representatives alike claim that snail slime is an effective exfoliator, that it eliminates sun damage, heals wounds, and softens wrinkles and acne scars. prevents and treats skin cancer and leaves the user with the “coveted on TikTok”Glass skin.” Tall claims with certainty, although there is real scientific research that suggests that snail slime, when used regularly over time, can help reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin and possibly also help with the Smooth skin structure. “Snail secretions contain a blend of growth factors, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acids—all ingredients known for their hydration and protection,” says Dr. Saedi.

In a clinical study published in the Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology In 2020, researchers spent three months studying the effects of snail secretions on the skin of women aged 45 to 65. At the end of the trial, subjects reported “significant improvements in skin roughness, firmness, and elasticity” and concluded that snail extract “appeared to be effective in alleviating signs of aging in women ages 45 to 65.”

Can you give us an honest, first-hand review of CosRx Snail Mucin Essence?

I arrived years late to the snail slime party and was more than a little skeptical. The first thing I noticed is that, contrary to the hype surrounding it, the CosRx snail slime product is completely understated. There’s nothing fancy here, no over-the-top brand designer showing off. The packaging is simple, with a minimal label on a pump bottle that is efficient and works well.

This snail slime is most similar to an unscented, light serum. When applied, it absorbs quickly into the skin – a big selling point, at least for me. I didn’t experience any pilling or that kind of sticky skincare residue that makes applying makeup afterwards a total hassle.

The texture of CosRx Snail Mucin is slimy securebut not in a way that I found offensive or disgusting (although keep in mind that people with texture sensitivities or slime aversions may not like the feeling of smearing snail slime on your face).

The first night I used the CosRx Snail Mucin, I patted it on after washing my face before bed. When I woke up the next morning, my face was noticeably moister and my skin felt softer than usual.

I am 50 years old and have combination skin. Sometimes new products give me a breakout. But this snail slime was extremely gentle and easy to incorporate into my skincare routine. It literally felt like I had nothing on. During my two-week testing period, I applied it under sunscreen during the day and moisturizer at night. By the end, my skin texture had already improved, especially my crow’s feet and the fine lines on my cheeks. My complexion appeared more even. While I was working on this review, two friends my age told me that they use snail slime in combination with their retinol creams – which, according to these 50+ year olds, makes the retinol less harsh.

Conclusion: Does CosRx Snail Mucin Work?

I honestly expected CosRx Snail Mucin to be disappointing. It was so over-promoted, the claims were so far-fetched, that it seemed impossible to live up to all the hype. But my most honest assessment is that I noticed a noticeable improvement in my skin texture on the first day and even more so after two weeks. My skin was more supple, my fine lines appeared less deep and my face overall appeared more even and had a kind of shine. I’ll keep trying, especially since then real Results should be available after 90 days.

COSRX

Are there any downsides to snail slime/who should do it? not Try snail slime?

According to Dr. Saedi: “Snail slime is great for all skin types, and I especially recommend it after laser treatment as it has been proven to not only moisturize the skin but also promote wound healing. However, for anyone with sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to test it first to make sure it doesn’t cause irritation.

What if I don’t like CosRx Snail Mucin? Is there an alternative product?

Although CosRx’s version is the current star of the snail slime show, there are dozens of similar products on the market, some with slime as the main ingredient, others as complements to other skin-healing favorites, many from the K-beauty world. If you’re looking for a luxurious, dermatologist-approved treat, Dr. Saedi on Biopelle’s popular (but pricey) Tensage Growth Factor 50: “It contains a highly concentrated growth factor, antioxidants, brighteners, and peptides that help improve visible signs of aging and can lighten pigmentation caused by sun damage,” she says . “I recommend adding it to your nighttime skincare routine to hydrate and repair your skin while you sleep.”

Lesser-known brands like SeoulCeuticals, MIZON, and Peach Slices offer night treatments, creams, and even jelly-like masks. Make sure everything you buy has a high concentration of the main ingredient – a concentration of over 90 percent is ideal. And for those new to snail mucin, I would recommend trying the CosRx version, which worked for me and is the most popular among true mucin fans.