Is Snail Mucin Safe During Pregnancy?
Expectant mothers often seek alternative solutions to achieve their pregnancy glow during times often marked by stretch marks, dryness, or sensitive skin.
With concerns over safe skin care ingredients during pregnancy, snail mucin comes under scrutiny as it gains popularity in the beauty industry. This unique ingredient, derived from snails, is widely used in Korean skincare, which some consider the most forward-thinking in the beauty industry.
But are skincare products that use snail mucin pregnancy-safe? Let’s explore the facts to help you make an informed decision and tailor the perfect safe skincare ingredients for your pregnancy journey.
What is Snail Mucin?
Snail mucin is a gooey substance secreted by snails to protect and repair their delicate skin. On a skincare ingredient list it’s often referred to as snail secretion filtrate. However, chemically speaking snail mucin is a complex mix of proteins, enzymes, and other goodies for the skin.
Benefits of Snail Mucin for the Skin
According to Very Well Health, snail mucin’s benefits in cosmetics are scientifically backed, particularly in wound healing. Rich in antioxidants, it effectively combats signs of aging, promotes skin regeneration, and shields against free radicals.
Renowned for its skincare benefits, snail mucin is packed with nutrients, peptides, and vitamin C, offering a myriad of advantages for the skin.
Notably, it contains glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), which research suggests can improve skin texture, promote cell turnover, and enhance overall radiance.
In addition to glycolic acid, snail mucin harbors other components such as glycoproteins and hyaluronic acid, contributing to improved hydration, increased collagen production, and enhanced skin elasticity. According to dermatologists, these hydrating characteristics strengthen the skin barrier and keep moisture in. This makes snail mucin a great pregnancy safe choice for those combatting dry skin during pregnancy.
Is snail mucin safe during pregnancy?
While snail mucin itself is generally considered safe during pregnancy, it’s crucial to be mindful of other ingredients present in skincare products containing snail mucin. There are a few blogs out there that caution against this ingredient due to a lack of research.
As a relatively new and niche ingredient, snail mucin has yet to be studied widely. However, due to its promising benefits in skincare the snail mucus market is expected to approach $770 million by 2025.
At Little Bean, we haven’t found any reason to believe this ingredient should be cautioned during pregnancy (so far). Most medical providers classify it as safe, similar to bakuchiol during pregnancy.
Snail mucin products may have added ingredients like retinol, high concentrations of salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide, which pose potential risks of birth defects and are best avoided during pregnancy.
To ensure your skincare routine remains safe during pregnancy, we recommend using our pregnancy-safe ingredient checker app, available on both IOS and Android platforms. This tool simplifies assessing skincare product safety by identifying potentially harmful ingredients, enabling you to make informed choices for both you and your baby’s well-being.
Is Cosrx snail mucin safe for pregnancy?
Yes, most of COSRX’s snail mucin products are Little Bean approved. We meticulously assessed the ingredient lists of their popular snail mucin items, including sheet mask, moisturizing face gel, nicinamide + snail mucin serum, advanced snail peptide eye cream, advanced snail hydrogel eye patch and power essence serum ensuring their safety during pregnancy.
However, it’s essential to note that not all of COSRX’s products are entirely pregnancy-safe, as some contain ingredients like retinol. Cosrx’ snail mucin products are among the most popular on the US market today, known for its affordable and effective Korean skincare products.
After reading the reviews and reading all the promising effects of snail mucin, I ended up ordering some eye patches for myself as well.
How to Incorporate Snail Mucin into Your Pregnancy-Safe Skincare Routine
When introducing new products containing snail mucin into your skincare routine during pregnancy, follow these steps:
- Cleansing: Start with a gentle, pregnancy-safe cleanser to remove impurities and excess oil.
- Toning (optional): If your cleanser alters your skin’s pH balance, consider using a toner to restore equilibrium, preparing your skin to better absorb subsequent skincare products.
- Applying Snail Mucin Serum or Essence: Apply a snail mucin serum or essence to your face and neck, either in the morning or evening, to hydrate the skin, improve elasticity, and enhance complexion. You want to alternate days with using a pregnancy-safe vitamin C serum.
- Moisturizing: Follow up with a hydrating moisturizer to lock in moisture and soothe dry skin, a common occurrence during pregnancy.
- Sun Protection: Complete your skincare routine with a physical sunscreen, one containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in the morning to shield your skin from harmful UV rays.
By following these steps and selecting pregnancy-safe snail mucin products, you can maintain healthy, radiant skin throughout your pregnancy journey.
The best Pregnancy-Safe Snail Mucin Products
For daytime, consider the following pregnancy-safe skincare products:
- Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence: Active ingredients containing 96% snail mucin to promote skin regeneration and diminish dark spots. Customers praise its effectiveness, soothing properties, and quick absorption, making it an ideal makeup primer. $-$$
- Cosrx Snail Mucin Sheet Mask: Designed for dry, acne-prone, or sensitive skin, this leave-on mask provides extra hydration, leaving the skin feeling soft, refreshed, and moisturized. $$
For nighttime, try these Little Bean recommended options:
- SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care 97.5% Snail Mucin Serum: An anti-wrinkle night serum enriched with snail mucin, hyaluronic acid, and organic centella asiatica. Customers love how it evens out their skin tone, leaving their face feeling rejuvenated. $-$$
- Mizon Black Snail All-in-One Cream: Formulated with snail secretion filtrate, this cream is designed to renew the skin, combat aging, and firm the skin. Suitable for all skin types, customers appreciate its wrinkle-reducing and softening effects. $
Before introducing any new products during pregnancy, perform a patch test and consult your healthcare provider if you have any pregnancy or skin concerns.
By selecting pregnancy-safe products like these, you can maintain a skincare routine that nurtures and protects your skin, enhancing that desired pregnancy glow. For more tips on enhancing your beauty routine, you can read our previous blog post on pregnancy safe lash serum and acne treatment safe for pregnancy.
In conclusion, snail mucin can be safely incorporated into your pregnancy skincare routine, provided you choose products formulated with pregnancy-safe ingredients. By prioritizing your skin’s health and making informed choices, you can enjoy a radiant complexion throughout your pregnancy journey.
Sources
What Does Snail Mucin Do for the Skin? (medically reviewed)| Verywell Health
Snail Mucin 101: A Detailed Guide (medically reviewed) | Everyday Health
