COSRX Advanced Snail 96 skincare

Where I got it

I was sent this COSRX Snail Mucin set from StyleKorean as part of their ambassador review event. I am obligated to explain the benefits of these three products, but no promises on positive experiences. All reviews by myself are my honest, and personal opinions. You might have a different viewpoint and different experience to myself because we have different skin types or preferences, so this is just for reference. 🙂 I have combination to oily skin that is slightly mature (I’m 41), I am acne-prone and prefer something lightweight and non-greasy.

I have done a quick research on whether COSRX’s snail mucin are ethically sourced. They place snails on a mesh in a dark, calm room to allow them to roam freely to extract their mucin. They do not subject the snails discomfort or stress to extract the snail mucins, so rest assured that there are no animal cruetly involved in sourcing the snail mucin ingredient. Snail mucin has been made famous by korean skincare and touted for its miraculous repair and hydration properties. It is claimed to repair dry pathces, acne breakouts, and signs of aging. Chemically speaking, snaik slime is a complex mixture of proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans, glycoprotein enzymes, hyaluronic acid, copper peptides, antimicrobial peptides and trace elements including copper, zinc, and iron. Which is a whole bunch of ingredients that is good for the skin – link to INCIdecorder.com.

What I got

Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence (100ml). COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence intensely hydrates skin and relieves skin dryness while restoring vitality to skin. Rich in moisture, nutrients and vitamins, snail secretion filtrate is a great moisturizer and helps to repair damaged skin, improve skin texture and reduce hyperpigmentation and fine lines. Light-weight essence which absorbs into the skin fast to give skin a natural glow from the inside. This essence is created from nutritious, low-stimulation filtered snail mucin to keep your skin moisturized and illuminated all day. Targets various skin concerns and suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin.

• Enriched with 96.3% skin-boosting ingredient snail secretion filtrate. The filtered snail mucin contained in Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence penetrates under the skin into the invisible, working against damaged skin.
• Infused with sodium hyaluronate, allantoin, panthenol and arginine to hydrate and soothe skin and to boost skin elasticity.
• Made free of harmful chemicals such as parabens, ethanol, synthetic fragrances, synthetic surfactants and artificial colorants.
• Hypoallergenic, Dermatologist tested, Animal Testing-FREE, Parabens-FREE, Sulfates-FREE, Phthalates-FREE.

Ingredients: Snail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Butylene Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Ethyl Hexanediol, Carbomer, Panthenol, Arginine

Advanced Snail 92 All in one Cream (100g).  An all-in-one solution cream that repairs and soothes irritated, sensitized skin after breakouts. A rich gel-type cream absorbs instantly into the skin with a full of nourishment while leaving your skin feeling fresh and comfortable.

• Snail Mucin 92%: Infused with 92% of snail mucin, this cream glides onto the skin and builds a moisture barrier to plump, hydrate and soothe skin.
• Repair, Recover, Rebuild!: An all-in-one solution cream that repairs and soothes irritated, sensitized skin after breakouts.
• Light-weight, Non-greasy: A rich gel-type cream absorbs instantly into the skin with a full of nourishment while leaving your skin feeling fresh and comfortable.
• No harm to the Snails! The snails are placed over a mesh in a dark and quiet room, where they are left alone to freely roam the net and leave mucin in their trails.

Ingredients: Snail Secretion Filtrate, Betaine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Carbomer, Ethyl Hexanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Arginine, Dimethicone, Sodium Polyacrylate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Palmitic Acid, Panthenol, Xanthan Gum, Stearic acid, Adenosine, Water, Myristic Acid.

Advanced Snail Mucin Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask (3 ea). Achieve glass-like skin in just one use with the premium Snail & Collagen Hydrogel Mask! Formulated with 25% Snail Secretion, this mask turns transparent as it deeply moisturizes, enhances radiance, soothes sensitive skin, and softens texture—delivering instant benefits you can see and feel.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water, Snail Secretion Filtrate, Glycerin, Acrylates Copolymer, Niacinamide, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua (Carob) Gum, Chondrus Crispus, Butylene Glycol, Betaine, Potassium Chloride, Agar, Erythritol, Sclerotium Gum, Sucrose, Cellulose Gum, Allantoin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Panthenol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Adenosine, Sodium Phytate, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Gluconolactone, Ceramide NP, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide NS, Cholesterol, Phytosphingosine, Hyaluronic Acid, Ceramide AP, Ceramide AS, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ceramide EOP

How I find it

Let’s have a look at the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence first. I have actually used this essence many years ago and this product is still so popular and has ketp the same packaging through the years. No surprise because this essence has been the holy grail of so many people and it is probably their first k-beauty product. I still remember so much hype with snail mucin – the stringy, slimey texture, the lightweight feel on the skin and it’s repairing benefits. This essence is suitable for all skin types, whether you have combination skin, oily skin or dry skin, this essence can be a part of your skincare routine if you want to increase skin’s hydration, relieve dryness, repair skin barrier and increase skin brightness.

This essence is more of a serum in my opinion, but it is very lightweight and watery on the skin. When you press and pull away from the essence, you get this stringy, slimey texture which can look at feel kind of weird. I try not to think of the actual snail when I use this because it can gross me out a little. After cleansing and toning, this essence is the best to be applied before any thicker serums. I have not experiened any conflict between this essence with my other serums and creams. Therefore so far so good. I do feel that is it very hydrating for the skin, and even though I do not suffer from acne as much as I did before I still find myself reaching for this as it alleviates any dryness without greasy feeling.

Next, this is my first time trying the All in one Cream. As you can see, this jelly-like cream has that stringy, slimey texture as well. It looks so hydrating and fresh in the jar and that is exactly how it feels on the skin. After the essence, you can jump straight into the cream for a deeper hydration and moisture. This gel-cream also has snail mucin as the first ingredient, there is also added adenosine which the essence does not have, as an important compound in our body that has vital cell-signalling role. It is wound healing and anti-inflammatory and can help with barrier repair. It also contains a few more emollient and moisturising ingredients to make this a lot more moisturising that the power essence.

Lastly, COSRX is late but better than never to hop onto the hydrogel bandwagon. Honestly, I have not been a big fan of hydrogel masks because I do not get that glass-skin effect like a lot of influencers get online. However, my skin does feel hydrated after peeling off this Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask, after 2-3 hours of wear, this mask is quite decent. My skin did not feel dry and tight, but it feels like I have applied serum and cream and let it absorb for a few hours. The hydrogel mask does dry down to transparent, showing that the product has been absorbed (actually I thint it’s just the gel drying up). I would try out hydrogel masks if I am sent these, but I would not purchase them because I would prefer using cloth or mesh masks instead.

Overall

I fell in love with the power essence again and I will be reaching for this serum in my skincare routine. It can be used in the AM and PM, and does not counteract with my other serums (vitamin C or Retinol). It is a lightweight hydrating serum which I will be reaching for when we are approaching the height of summer here in New Zealand. The all in one cream is also very comfortable to use and very suitable for summer months or hot weather. It provides my combination oily skin the right amount of moisture for the day, without feeling oily or greasy. If you have dry skin, you might need something a little more rich on top of this. As for the hydrogel mask, you know how I feel about these masks. They seem to work great for some people on social media, but it just did not really work quite a well on me.