There are certain words that make us squirm, and “slime” is probably one of them. So when confronted with a skin care product that has “slime” on its label, you’d most likely scratch your head and drop that jar quick. But if you knew how beneficial this ingredient is, you might just want to bathe in it! Here’s what you need to know about snail slime. Even our September #CalyxtaGirl, Lauren Reid, had something to say about it!
Known as snail mucin, the slime excreted by these slow-moving creatures protects their tender skin from UV rays, keeps moisture locked in, fights bacteria, and heals wounds that snails get as it crawls on the ground. On human skin, this ingredient does the same job. It protects skin from the sun and frees it from radicals. By killing germs, pimples are prevented while existing ones heal faster. Rich in hyaluronic acid, it infuses skin with lots of moisture. Proteins and copper peptides stimulate collagen and elastin production. All of these actions result to plumper, clearer, smoother, brighter, and more moisturized skin!
While snail mucin is now known as an ingredient present in Asian skin care products, it’s not a discovery Asia can claim nor is it even a recent find. Snail slime has been used since Ancient Greece as medicine—externally, it treats burns while internally, it soothes ulcers. Yes, it’s so safe, you can swallow the stuff! The slime you see trailing after snails may look gross but remember: it’s just an ingredient in skin care products—you won’t open a jar and find literal slime in it, so no need to get nauseated! In fact, you ought to try snail slime out and see your skin get better!
