Snail mucin (snail secretion filtrate) is increasingly popular in skincare products, particularly for addressing dry and flaky skin. Scientific evidence supporting its use centers on its composition, which includes glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, allantoin, and various enzymes and peptides. These components are known to have moisturizing, regenerative, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that snail mucin can enhance skin hydration and promote wound healing. For example, a 2013 clinical study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology reported that creams containing snail secretion filtrate improved skin hydration and reduced roughness in participants with dry skin. The mucopolysaccharides in snail mucin help to form a moisture-retaining barrier on the skin, which is beneficial for alleviating dryness and flakiness.

While traditional use of snail products for skin health has been documented in some cultures, most of the current justification for its topical application is rooted in modern scientific research and the observed biochemical effects of its components. However, most clinical studies are small and some are not placebo-controlled, so while the evidence is promising, more robust trials are needed to confirm efficacy.