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Even though I’ve only recently got around to buying it, the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence has been on my skincare wish list for absolutely aaaages. It’s one of those products that you hear so many good things about that you know you’ll be devastated if doesn’t end up working for you.
Some people might be put off by the idea of snail mucin, but I was so intrigued by the concept. I mean, there has to be a reason why it’s in there right? … And if COSRX thought snail slime was special enough to have its own essence, it must have some amazing beauty benefits.
So, what makes it so great? Keep reading to find out!
What is it?
The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a concentrated, quick-absorbing lotion that contains 96% snail secretion filtrate. It claims to improve skin elasticity, prevent moisture loss and soothe red, irritated skin.
What are the standout ingredients?
Snail secretion filtrate – The mucus produced by snails as they move. It aids wound healing and skin regeneration.
Betaine – An amino acid that helps prevent water loss from the skin.
Sodium hyaluronate – The salt form of hyaluronic acid. It helps water permeate into the skin and helps smooth out fine lines.
Panthenol – A provitamin of vitamin B5. It boosts hydration, attracts moisture and soothes irritated skin.
Arginine – An amino acid that protects the skin from free radicals and improves collagen deposition.
Allantoin – A plant-derived ingredient that soothes and softens the skin.
Check out the full ingredients list below and visit Incidecoder to find out exactly what each one does.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence Ingredients
Snail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Arginine, Allantoin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol
How should you use this product?
Start by cleansing your face and applying your toner. While your skin is still slightly damp, take a pump or two of the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence and dot it around your face. Rub the product in gently and then follow it up with your usual moisturiser.
Since this is an essence, and it doesn’t contain any AHAs or BHAs, it’s fine to use it with other actives like retinol or vitamin C. In fact, due to its healing properties, snail mucin is perfect for counteracting such drying ingredients.
How do I feel about…?
THE SCENT
This literally has no scent! And if it does, I certainly haven’t noticed it. The ingredients list doesn’t contain any fragrance so it’s safe to assume that this would be suitable for sensitive skin.
THE TEXTURE
The texture of this product is so interesting. It’s not as sticky as I first thought it would be, but it definitely has some ‘bounce’ to it. It’s the kind of substance that forms ‘threads’ as you pull your fingers away. This viscosity obviously goes away when it dries though!
Despite being somewhat on the thicker side for an essence, it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin at all. It rubs in really nicely and feels really moisturising. I also haven’t noticed any breakouts or skin issues since I started using it so that’s definitely a good sign.
THE PACKAGING
There’s nothing spectacular about the packaging. The snail mucin essence comes in a frosted plastic bottle with a small, black pump on the top.
It looks much like all the other COSRX products with their minimal, straight-to-the-point style. I actually don’t mind this though because it shows you that the product doesn’t need fancy packaging to sell, it’s great in its own right.
Find more COSRX reviews here:
Notes on sustainability
COSRX prides itself on being a cruelty-free brand and none of its products are tested on animals anywhere in the world.
Since this essence contains snail mucin it obviously can’t be considered vegan, but COSRX assures customers that this ingredient is extracted in an ethical way. The snails are left to roam freely over a mesh net which collects the substance, and no external pressure is applied to force mucin production.
Overall thoughts
I’d heard a lot about this product before buying it so I was kind of worried that I’d be underwhelmed after trying it out. Luckily, the COSRX snail mucin essence far exceeded my expectations!
Coming out of winter my skin has been quite dry, so I’d been on the lookout for something that was really hydrating. Thick creams aren’t always great for day wear, so in the morning I prefer to put on something light that will still moisturise my skin, but without feeling heavy. I don’t normally use essences and at first I wasn’t really convinced that they’d make much of a difference. However, I’ve officially been converted. I think this is an amazing way to add an extra bit of hydration into your skincare routine.
My skin feels softer and looks more dewy since I started using this product. I’ve also noticed that any redness (from spots, dryness etc.) seems to disappear more quickly. I can’t say I’ve seen any changes in terms of fine lines, but since I wasn’t really buying it for this purpose I’m not disappointed.
I feel like the COSRX snail mucin essence would work on all skin types. Yes, even oily skin needs hydration! It’s lightweight enough to not feel greasy on acne-prone skin, but still thick enough to provide the moisture that dry skin requires.
I can 100% see this becoming a holy grail product, so it’s really worth investing in a bottle!
Where can I buy it?
You can pick this up from pretty much all UK beauty retailers. A 100ml bottle sells for around £24 at LOOKFANTASTIC, Beauty Bay and Skin Library, and £22.79 at Feelunique.
You can also get this for £14.96 from YesStyle and £13.99 from Stylevana.
Have you tried the COSRX Advanced Snail Mucin Essence? What are your thoughts?
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