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The key nutrients in “snail slime” are the same ones you find in just about every beauty product on the market. These secretions contain hyaluronic acid, glycoprotein enzymes and peptides. There is nothing particularly unique to snail creams and masks, but they do contain all of the key ingredients for skincare and anti-aging.
Is that enough to make you tempted to try these trendy–and slightly terrifying–beauty products?
Hyaluronic acid is part of what is secreted from snails and is used to boost moisture and help with anti-aging. The peptides found in snail mucin are known for brightening the eyes, and the glycolic acid can help your cells produce collagen and elastin.
Put all of these ingredients together, and you have an excellent skin care product for your face. Snail mucin is used in a variety of face creams, face masks, moisturizers and serums. However, some dermatologists warn that the benefits of snail slime may not be what they appear since the slime is not consistently concentrated.
Since the number of active compounds can differ based on how the fluids are secreted, and even the type of snail they come from, before you buy, you’ll want to check the packaging. Look for products that show what percentage or PPM (parts per million) snail filtrate is contained in the product.
2,000 PPM is a good amount, but there are some products that offer as much as 10,000 PPM. If the product does not tell you the PPM or if snail filtrate is not one of the first ingredients listed, you’re probably wasting your money.
As with all beauty products, if you are new to snail slime, be sure to test a small amount of the product first to ensure your skin does not have a negative reaction. Snail creams such as Mizon generally run about $27.00 to $40.00. Don’t waste your money on just any product claiming to use snail slime, as this is one product you’ll likely get what you pay for.
As with most skincare and cosmetic products, there is no holy grail that can reverse the signs of aging, but snail slime is worth a try if you are looking for something new. Be sure to find a good, high-quality product without breaking the bank and decide for yourself if snail slime is right for you.
