Our head of beauty Zoe puts her unfavourable thoughts about snails to the side in a bid to see if COSRX’s Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream lives up to its hydrating and plumping promises
If you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through skincare TikTok or browsing Amazon’s beauty section best sellers, you’ve likely come across a little buzzword: snail mucin. Yes, you read that right. One of the beauty industry’s most, err, unique ingredients, snail mucin is making waves, and today, I’m diving face first into a product that harnesses the power of this gooey yet supposedly plumping and generally anti-ageing ingredient: COSRX’s Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream.
Newly launched in tube format in a 50g or 100g size, the previous tub packaging has been given an upgrade to make it easier than ever to dispense and apply– and without letting any bacteria into an open pot.
If you haven’t heard of the Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream, it’s a cult-favourite moisturiser packed with 92% snail secretion filtrate—don’t let that name put you off; it’s actually a lightweight, hydrating powerhouse designed to deeply nourish and repair the skin. It promises to leave your complexion looking plump, smooth, and refreshed, which is why so many skincare enthusiasts are raving about it. From dry patches to acne scars, this cream is said to tackle a wide range of skin concerns.
READ MORE: Drunk Elephant moisturiser that ‘helps with redness’ and is ‘perfect for winter’ hits sale with £20 off
The burning question is, does it contain actual snail slime?
Yes. The hardworking but well cared for 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. That mucin goes into the product and onto your face.
If it sounds a bit new age-y to you, this ingredient isn’t actually a Gen Z-initiated trend. For decades, snail secretions have been a key ingredient in K-beauty (Korean beauty) formulations, even before their mainstream rise in popularity.
The slime factor: Love it or hate it? Zoe puts it to the test…
After hearing all the buzz about snail mucin in skincare, I finally decided to try the COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream, and I’m glad I did. It took a few applications for me to get past the slightly icky thoughts of snail slime all over my face, but after two weeks of daily use, I’m happy to report I no longer think of the cream as slimy. It probably helps that the cream doesn’t have a scent to it, which I’m grateful for.
I will say the hydration it provides is incredible—my skin feels plump, soft, and deeply moisturised without that greasy after-effect. It’s lightweight but packs a punch, giving me that dewy, fresh look that makes it seem like I’ve been taking extra good care of myself.
The biggest surprise for me has been how well it helps with healing and calming my skin. I have a few acne scars and some lingering redness from old breakouts, and after using this consistently, I’ve noticed those marks fading and my skin looking much more even. Plus, it’s incredibly soothing when my skin flares up or feels irritated (ie, when I’ve used too much retinol).
That said, the texture might be a bit off-putting for some—it’s a little slimy and sticky at first, but once it’s absorbed, it’s barely noticeable. It’s a bit heavier in texture than my usual day cream, considering I have combination skin and go for lighter formulas, but for the hydration and healing benefits it brings, this cream has definitely earned a spot in my skincare routine.
Check out our roundup of five best hydrating moisturisers to keep your face feeling soft and nourished all day here.
