Snail mucin in cosmetology. Useful properties, how to use African Achatina mucus at home, photos, reviews

Restoration of damaged skin areas, smoothing of fine wrinkles, reduction of irritation, smoothing of acne scars are the results of the use of snail mucin in cosmetology, which look incredibly amazing.

However, snail secretion filtrate is indeed a universal ingredient: it is suitable for all skin types and has a powerful regenerating effect that can help even with atopic dermatitis.

Unique composition of snail secretion

The natural secret of the snail is a viscous liquid of light yellow color, the laboratory analysis of which showed the following composition:

• glyposaminoglycans - polysaccharides that can retain moisture;
• allantoin - a substance responsible for the restoration of damage in the body;
• collagen and elastane - proteins that are too large to penetrate the skin, but create a film on the surface that retains moisture;
• glycolic acid - a component with an exfoliating and moisturizing effect;
• hyaluronic acid - a powerful moisturizer;
• antimicrobial peptides - give antibacterial properties;
• glycoproteins, zinc, iron, copper, magnesia - are contained in small quantities and do not have a cosmetic effect.

Benefits for the skin

All the beneficial properties of snail secretion are a consequence of the unique ability to restore damaged skin cells:

• reduction of the relief of scars, colloidal scars;
• smoothing of acne spots;
• accelerated regeneration of damaged areas: inflammation, acne, cuts;
• exfoliation of cells in areas with increased dryness or dermatitis;
• smoothing out wrinkles caused by insufficient moisture (does not work on age wrinkles!);
• recovery from sunburn;
• superficial hydration and maintenance of skin moisture balance.

How mucin is obtained

Snail mucin is produced by cosmetic and pharmaceutical commodity companies. Korea and Italy hold the lead in terms of production. Each company uses its own, often secret developments in this area, but in general, their goal is to create the most comfortable environment for snails, which affects the volume of mucin secreted by them.

For safety reasons, edible snail species of medium and large size, raised in captivity, are used as sources of raw materials.

The most popular of the subspecies is a relative of the garden snail Helix aspersa, which secretes a secretion with a high protein content and a low molecular weight of hyaluronic acid. All animals undergo strict sanitary control, which is impossible when working with wildlife.

The snails are located on nets in dark, quiet rooms for 30 minutes, during which they have enough time to inherit mucin along their routes.

At the same time, no additional incentives are applied to them:

1. Firstly, the issues of protection and exploitation of animals regularly excite the world community, and producers do not want to spoil their reputation.
2. Second, snails regularly produce mucus when they are healthy, calm, and in a comfortable environment. Therefore, companies try to provide them with the best living conditions.

After half an hour, the insects return to their terrariums, where they live permanently. There they rest and recover, while the products of their activity are collected from the nets and further processed.

There are studies showing that snails can increase mucus production when stressed or damaged.

But on an industrial scale, creating such conditions is laborious, not to mention the ethical side of the issue. In addition, in a critical state, snails stop moving, sometimes hibernate, which threatens raw materials companies with long-term production downtime.

What cosmetics are used

Snail mucin is widely used in cosmetology. For a long time, Korean cosmetic concerns did not advertise this fact, especially when it came to exported products. For the buyer, far from oriental care rituals, such a component was a "fu" factor: the reason for the aversion to products that clearly do not promote sales.

Since the popularization of the ingredient, corporations have stopped hiding the presence of mucin in the ingredient list. Moreover, its presence began to be indicated in the name of the product, as well as to indicate its percentage in the total mass.

The line of care products has significantly expanded and continues to be replenished with new types of cosmetics:

• classic cream for smoothing the relief, moisturizing and whitening;
• cleansing soap with a regenerating effect;
• foam for washing;
• a sheet mask impregnated with moisturizing ingredients;
• gel-silicone patches for eyes and lips;
• anti-aging moisture retention serum;
• concentrated gel (up to 98% of mucin in the composition) against spots and scars;
• classic moisturizing mask;
• night tightening mask;
• renewing scrub;
• light cream for the area around the eyes.

There are also moisturizing serums for the ends of the hair and concentrated after-sun gels for a cooling and healing effect. In cosmetic compositions, mucin often coexists with aloe juice, green tea, licorice or cactus extract.

Top 5 professional products

Belita - snail mucus filtrate based cream

The popularity of snail mucin in modern cosmetology inspired the cosmetologists of the Belarusian company Belita to create a full-fledged line of care. With regular use of the snail series, the manufacturer promises to slow down the aging process and improve metabolic processes in the skin.

The day cream also contains white tea extract and a complex of shea and coconut oils, which repair damaged areas, refresh and moisturize the skin. The texture of the cream is light, the product is quickly absorbed and leaves no shine, which is especially important for owners of oily and combination skin.

Among the disadvantages of the product, a high consumption can be noted - when applied in a thin layer on the face and neck, 4 pump presses are required.

Esfolio - an effective cosmetic product with snail mucin

Pure Snail viscous crystal clear gel contains 95% mucin and can be used on both face and body. This Korean formulation is designed to reduce acne vulgaris and soften very dry skin.The composition does not differ in a variety of natural ingredients, including, in addition to mucin, only an extract of pharmacy chamomile.

However, it can reduce the allergenicity of the product and can be used for different skin types. The positive qualities of the product include super-economical consumption: one pea of ​​gel is enough for high-quality moisturizing. A little more is required when applying it as an express mask.

Esfolio brand technologists recommend storing the gel in the refrigerator to add a refreshing effect in the morning.

Deoproce Snail Recovery Cream - anti-aging snail cream

In addition to snail mucus filtrate, Deoproce Revitalizing Cream contains the anti-aging component niacinamide, which is responsible for the renewal of skin cells, and a lightening extract of licorice root. The product forms a protective film that prevents moisture loss, while low molecular weight collagen from seaweed moisturizes and improves skin elasticity.

The composition contains many rare plant components:

• Japanese quince root,
• Chinese camellia leaves,
• aloe leaves,
• ginkgo biloba extract.

A small amount of the cream is applied in the second step of the treatment after using the tonic or lotion and let it fully absorb. Can also be used as a makeup base.

Mizon All in One Snail Repair Cream - cosmetics based on snail mucin

A universal cream from a well-known Korean company consists of 92% snail extract. Due to its high efficiency, this product has become a real bestseller, with over a million units sold. This lightweight gel cream has a uniform viscous texture, a milky white translucent color and is odorless.

Odorless with a milky white, slightly translucent color, this lightweight gel-cream has a viscous texture that goes for a silky-smooth. The cream is quickly absorbed, moisturizes, smoothes fine wrinkles, reduces scars and acne spots.

It does not clog pores and does not make oily and combination skin heavier, but for dry skin owners it is better to use it as a serum under a more saturated cream. Possible spot use on areas with pigmentation.

Snail Secret Key Black Snail Original Cream

Another multifunctional product from a Korean manufacturer differs from the previous one in lower cost and more natural composition. Snail extract in the composition of 90%, which noticeably affects the texture of the cream: it is sticky, jelly-like, but it is well absorbed and improves the general condition of the skin.

Shea butter and olive oil and 9 other natural ingredients are responsible for moisturizing, including:

• honey,
• peony extract,
• green tea,
• pomegranate juice,
• liquorice
• seaweed.

The multicomponent provides deep nourishment and restoration of irritated areas, however, the main effect of regular use is manifested in lightening and increasing the elasticity of the skin surface. It is applied twice a day as the last stage of care, and to enhance the effect, it is left for several minutes under a thin plastic wrap.

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How to treat chapped lips with snail extract

Changing seasons, central heating, frost and wind make lips dry, chapped and can cause cracks. In such a situation, the moisturizing and regenerating properties of mucin come in handy, and for this it is not necessary to buy a special product.

It is enough to apply a drop of serum or gel with a high content of snail extract on chapped lips, let it soak for 1 minute, and then use regular hygienic lipstick.

Small patches of dryness will disappear after 3 days.

In more difficult cases, the serum is applied before a night moisturizing lip mask; for prevention purposes, it is enough to perform this procedure once a week.

How to use the secret for facial rejuvenation

Happy owners of pet snails may not spend money on mucin-based products - just use the mucus secreted by a pet. To obtain mucin, the snail is washed in water, and then they try to scare it. In a stressful situation, the animal secretes a large amount of mucus - about half a teaspoon at a time, this is enough for one home procedure.

The mucus can be used neat as a night face mask. It is applied to cleansed skin before going to bed, and in the morning it is washed off with cold water without additional means. Also, mucin is added to any homemade masks based on juices, fermented milk products, clay, honey and fruit purees.

This procedure has a complex effect, combining the result of the action of all the ingredients.

The exposure time depends on the composition of the mask and does not change with the addition of snail secretion. The main thing to remember is that the prepared product must be used immediately, it cannot be stored, even for a short time.

Snail massage

With the popularization in cosmetology of care products that contain snail mucin, beauty salons began to offer an exotic procedure - massage with live snails. The trend was picked up by all the owners of these unusual pets, and now no one is surprised with snail procedures at home.

For face massage, two large or five medium individuals are enough, the Achatina snail is especially popular because of its gigantic size, unpretentious care and longevity.

Before the procedure, the skin is thoroughly cleansed with natural products (baby soap is best suited), and the snails are washed with warm water. Moisturize the skin with water, milk or cream. During the session, which lasts from 15 to 30 minutes, animals are launched on a specific area of ​​the human body (most often the face, arms, neck, décolleté).

As they move, the snails' body contracts, massaging the skin and increasing blood circulation.

Some species also eat away the stratum corneum, providing gentle micro-peeling. The mucus remaining after the massage is spread over the entire surface of the skin and left as a moisturizing mask.

Cosmetologists recommend protecting the eyes and nostrils with cotton swabs, and warn that some snails can leave bites, sometimes quite painful and visible on the skin. The massage course consists of 10 sessions every 3 days. The first results are noticeable as early as the second week after the start of the procedures.

Possible side effects of use

The natural origin of the snail secretion practically excludes the occurrence of side effects.

However, the glycolic acid in its composition can cause discomfort for people with sensitive skin:

• burning;
• redness;
• feeling of dryness and constriction;
• irritation, itching;
• allergic reaction, edema.

It should also be remembered that the more natural ingredients a cosmetic product contains, the more dangerous its use is for allergy sufferers. At the first sign of side effects or an allergic reaction, rinse the product thoroughly from the skin and stop further use.

Contraindications

The list of contraindications for the use of products with snail extract filtrate is small:

• open skin lesions - abrasions, inflamed elements, acne in the acute stage;
• second degree sunburn;
• excessive dryness of the skin;
• individual intolerance.

The use of mucin or snail secretion in cosmetology is safe, environmentally friendly, has low risks and side effects.

The benefits of regular use, on the other hand, have been confirmed by several independent studies, noting a noticeable regenerating and healing effect, as well as the ability to create a protective layer that retains moisture on the skin's surface.

Video: snail mucin in cosmetology

Find out how snail mucin is used in cosmetology in the video:

Snail mucin - application in cosmetology: