I would have said you live under a rock if the hype around the Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin essence hasn’t reached you but that wouldn’t be fair. After all, there are so many hypes I don’t get including the one around Mikalla hair products.
Nonetheless, in case you are not new to the 10 steps Korean skincare routine, you’ve probably come across the Cosrx advanced snail 96 Mucin essence in your search for the best treatments and essences.
From my first-hand experience, this is hands down one of the best Korean skincare products. Especially if you have a combination or extra dry and parched skin.
I have combination skin, which tends to get dry during the cold weather and oily during the hot weather. The issue is when my face gets oily, it becomes prone to acne and this has led to a few acne scarring around the cheeks.
For this reason, when I went searching for an essence I was looking for something light, moisturising and effective in terms of clearing acne and dark spots. The good news is I got it.
But before we proceed, let’s look at the packaging, and manufacturer’s claims and then we can assess its effectiveness and whether this snail essence deserves the much hype it gets.
Packaging
The Cosrx advanced snail 96 Mucin essence comes in a 100ml glass-like bottle that uses a seal pump and clear lid for protection against spillage or contaminants. Its size is very travel-friendly too.
Product Description
The Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (that was a mouthful) is made of 96% snail secretion filtrate which is responsible for keeping the skin moisturised, smooth and healthy.
How to use it
The 10-step Korean skincare routine, (sometimes it comes down to seven, or five, depending on the products you can do without), is all about having the right products, for a certain purpose, to be applied in a certain order.
Hence, just after you cleanse and tone your skin, apply a small amount of the Cosrx Mucin Essence on your entire face.
The Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence is an external topical treatment hence it shouldn’t be applied on damaged or broken skin.
My experience
What I noticed first when I started applying this product was its texture. For a product made of 96% snail slime, you are sure to expect something strange or for lack of a better word grotesque.
However, quite the contrary, this snail essence doesn’t need any convincing to adjust to. It is slimy and viscous yes, but not at all greasy or heavy on the skin. It’s like applying viscous water to the skin. Read on to find out the beauty benefits of snail slime.
Korean products absorb well when you pat them and follow up with a facial massage. So, since I don’t use a jade roller, I use the tips of my fingers to facilitate absorption and prompt blood circulation. Massaging the face regularly is also good as it rejuvenates the skin, reduces puffiness, addresses fine lines, and wrinkles and leads to glowing skin.
After several weeks of using this essence, I noticed that my skin retained more moisture, felt plump from hydration and looked brighter. The acne scars also faded, but not as immediate as the above benefits.
Scent
This essence has no fragrance or added colouring. Thus, if you have sensitive skin or you’d prefer a product with no fragrance this product will excite you.
Ingredients
This product sticks to the bare minimum which is a very good thing in skin products.
It contains snail secretion filtrate as the main ingredient, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Carbomer, Phenoxyethanol Panthenol and Arginine.
Sodium hyaluronate and panthenol are great humectants which attract water from the atmosphere to the skin. Therefore, even with no water as one of the ingredients, this essence remains effective.
Price
I bought mine on eBay for Ksh1500 ($14.53). You can check other online shops such as Sokoglam or here in Kenya at Kbeautykenya.
The product is made in Korea.
Verdict
Moisturising power: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Functionality: 5 out of 5
Price: it depends
I would definitely recommend this product for someone with dry, combination or sensitive skin. Yes, this Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Essence deserves all the hype it gets.
In case you would like to jump on the hype train, this guide showing the best Korean skincare products for every skin type is a good place to start.
Skincare: The Beauty Benefits Of Snail Slime
Beauty: Mistakes To Avoid When Using Korean Skincare Products
Beauty: The Best Korean Products According To Your Skin Type