TikTok can’t stop talking about this snail serum – and it’s currently just £12

It's easy to think of those hours mindlessly scrolling TikTok as a Big Fat Waste Of Time, however, we are convinced we are looking at this all wrong. Sure, we could be spending our 24 hours discovering a new recipe, learning something clever, or researching our next beauty purchase... but wait a minute! Isn't this what we technically already do on TikTok and more?

The amount of useful wisdom we've learned from TikTok is, dare we say it, unmatched (see: baked oats, deadlift form and the tell-tale signs when someone fancies you).

The latest thing we've learned is a goodie and it's the brilliance of snail mucin, AKA snail slime. You know when a snail moves along and then out comes sticky stuff? Yep, we're telling you to rub that all across your face, hun.

Snail mucin is a huge K-Beauty skincare ingredient and despite our ignorance, is definitely nothing new. In fact, there are reports of 'crushed up snail shells' being prescribed 'for inflammation' in 400 B.C. according to a paper published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Now in 2024, COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence has had over FIFTY THOUSAND five-star reviews on Amazon, thanks to its ability to soothe broken skin barriers, hydrate skin and even stimulate collagen production. Plus, it's currently reduced on Amazon.

TikTok has naturally gone wild for the snail slime and the hashtag has amassed a whopping 394.8M views for its magical powers* (*basically, almost.)

One TikToker @caressmd is a stan of the ingredient and shared how she uses it to fade her acne scars and give her an impressive gleam. She posted on the platform that she 'swears by' the serum, and that it makes your skin feel super smooth, adding it to one of her 'damaged skin barrier favs'.

Even skincare royalty and YouTuber Hyram Yarbro did a YouTube video on snail mucin and said it was a great anti-ageing option that has been backed up by proper research.

He said, "I did a little bit of research and I found a few studies are confirming the benefits of snail mucin, not only did they find it diminished fine lines and wrinkles within the face and restored the skin of photodamage or sun damage...

This is the main cause of ageing, dark spots and all the bad shit that happens to our skin. There was also another study which found snail mucin helps to repair against inflammation and damage within the skin overall."

THE SKINCARE KING HAS SPOKEN.

FAQs

Is using Snail Mucin as skincare ethical?

Now you may be slightly apprehensive and sat wondering WHAT ABOUT THE SNAILS?!

But CORX promises no snails were harmed in the making the product and snail mucin 'is obtained in a safe way in the favourite environment of snails and then processed as a cosmetic material."

Essentially the snails are put into a dark room on some mesh material, where they are allowed to roam freely and chill. They do snail-type things (Do they do admin? Make small talk with other snails?). Meanwhile, the mucin is collected on the mesh, purified, and then added to bottles for us to use.

How to use snail mucin?

To use, simply pat onto clean and damp skin before serums and moisturisers. It can be used AM, PM, or both. It honestly couldn't be easier to use.

Check out COSRX Nail Mucin Power Essence here.

Aimee Jakes is the shopping editor across heat and Closer. As well as mainly writing about skincare launches, high-street fashion and gym bag essentials, she also regularly chats to celebs about their wellness routines for heat's Self-Care Sunday.