I put snail slime on my skin for a month. Here's what happened.
Snail slime has been a popular cosmetic product in other parts of the world for some time, but now consumers in Germany are also turning to the creams and lotions.
Written by Eva Backer on July 29, 2023, 16:34
Say three times quickly: Helix aspersa muller glycoconjugates.
Now say the translation: snail slime.
Did that scare you?
One of the latest face creams to be launched by the German cosmetics industry,
is a series of products made with snail slime.
Yes exactly, that sticky, gooey residue that snails leave in their wake.
And even if snail slime may sound disgusting and exotic,
remember that we routinely apply all sorts of animal, plant and mineral products to our face, body and hair.
Caffeine is said to soothe puffy eyes,
Bird droppings soothe and refresh the skin,
Rose stem cells eliminate wrinkles and sunspots
and fish scales lighten the skin.
Snail slime throughout history
How did the little snail get its new status?
She has actually been taking her time.
In small rural communities in southern Italy, snail slime has been used for centuries to soothe warts, wrinkles, calluses and acne.
In the 1980s, snail slime emerged from the shadows.
French chefs who turned the snails into delicious appetizers called escargot with butter and garlic,
sold many of them to a family in Chile who bred and exported snails.
The Chilean workers who often cut their hands and arms on the metal cages,
noticed that the snail slime helped to heal their wounds and soften their skin.
The South Korean skincare industry, which is always on the lookout for innovative cosmetic products,
became aware of the snail slime and invested considerable research and development funds in the still young treatment.
South Korean scientists explained that their tests had confirmed that snail secretion filtrate moisturizes the skin,
increases its smoothness, eliminates wrinkles and fine lines, improves hyperpigmentation and contains antimicrobial properties that can keep acne and some types of rosacea at bay.
"Studies have shown that they stimulate the formation of collagen and elastin and moisturize the skin"
What dermatologists think
Dermatologists in the United States are participating in the discussion with their own studies.
Snail slime has been used for thousands of years in folk medicine to treat various skin problems," said Dr. Joshua Dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York
More recently, it has been incorporated into cosmetic skin care routines," he added.
Rich in the humectant hyaluronic acid, snail slime has moisturizing properties for the skin.
It also contains high levels of antioxidants that calm inflammation in the skin, promote healthy collagen production and eliminate wrinkles.
If the thought of applying snail slime to your skin doesn't gross you out, dermatologists recommend starting with a small amount on a specific area to check for allergies or skin reactions.
Manufacturers state that you could see positive results in two to four weeks.