As a chronically online beauty editor (self-awareness is important, right?) I knew I had to get my hands on the viral COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence when fellow beauty experts started going wild for it. I had used some COSRX products in the past – and have been testing my fair share of Korean skincare since sometime 2019 – but something about the Advanced snail mucin essence stood out above the rest.
I knew snails could repair their own shells after minor cracks or injuries by using this secretion, but had I ever considered using it on my skin? No. That said, I had read that the benefits of snail mucin skincare included wound healing, hydration and reduced transdermal water loss – and that Ancient Greeks used snails to treat skin inflammation. So why wouldn't I? A modern Greek myself! It grossed me out, but I will try (nearly) anything for my job.
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I should state: I’m not always a fan of viral products. They're often over-hyped, expensive and gimmicky. So let’s say I was at least a little dubious after my initial purchase of this popular snail mucin. I was also a bit sceptical about the ethics surrounding snail mucin skincare. How cruel is this process? How is the secretion gathered? What happens to the snails?! (This, unfortunately, is a bit of a grey area, as COSRX doesn’t disclose the exact process. According to Reddit threads and an old blog post from the brand, the process is cruelty-free. They mention that the snail mucin that’s suitable for human use can only be created in a stress-free environment for the snails. More on that later.)
Alas, it’s part of my job to test out talked-about products or beauty techniques and see if they actually work. And the results of this buy? Well, they spoke for themselves. Keep reading.
- What does the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence do?
- Who can and can’t use the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence?
- How I tested the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
- Why you can trust me
- My experience using the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
- How to apply the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
- Can you use it everyday?
- Is the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence cruelty-free?
- Our verdict: Is the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence worth it?
Meet the experts:
- Dr Nora Jaafar, dermatological and aesthetic doctor, is based between the UK and Dubai.
- Dr Aamna Adel, consultant dermatologist, is based in London.
What does the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence do?
As the name suggests, snail mucin, or snail secretion filtrate – a popular K-beauty ingredient – is the secretion snails produce that offers hydration, skin repair and protects the snail’s skin surface. “It contains compounds such as glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, peptides, and antioxidants. Many people find it helpful for calming irritated skin and supporting recovery after breakouts,” noted Dr. Aamna Adel, consultant dermatologist.
“It supports healing and collagen production, hydration, barrier repair and skin regeneration” added Dr. Nora Jaafar, dermatological and aesthetic doctor.
There are similar components between snail secretion and what’s naturally available in our own skin – think: collagen and hyaluronic acid – which is why COSRX has used this ingredient for many years and was one of the first brands to do so. According to the brand (and various studies), snail secretion has various positive effects for our skin, including skin regeneration, reduction in redness and inflammation, improvement in pigmentation, wrinkles and skin elasticity.
But what’s so special about the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence in particular? For one, it has one of the highest concentrations of snail mucin on the market, at 96%. Apart from this star ingredient, it contains soothing and hydrating allantoin and panthenol, as well as sodium hyaluronate. The brand currently has seven snail mucin products in their wider snail mucin range, from a Korean cleanser to a Korean face mask. They also have a dual essence, which, is lighter in texture and also contains niacinamide, but I haven’t tried it.
Who can and can’t use the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence?
Generally, snail mucin is suitable for most skin types. People with dry, dehydrated, inflamed or compromised skin can benefit from this product, as it offers skin barrier support it can be helpful for post-acne marks too.
In certain cases, snail mucin may not be suitable. If your skin is very reactive, allergy-prone or if you have known allergies to snail proteins, apply with caution and always patch test, per the experts I spoke to.
During my research – which included watching endless TikTok review videos – I noticed some people break out in small bumps when using this product. Some mention this might be due to dust mites or shellfish allergies. This reaction can occur, although it’s rare and it might be due to shared proteins such as tropomyosin, the experts told me.
“In clinic, I advise patients with a known shellfish or severe dust mite allergy to approach snail mucin products with caution and always patch test first. If someone notices small uniform bumps, irritation, or signs of folliculitis, they should discontinue use,” said Dr. Aamna Adel.
How I tested the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
It's important to me and the Glamour team that we don't recommend anything we haven't tested (see also: our “how we test” guidelines). So, I have been using the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence on and off for over a year. Ever since my first application, I've been impressed by the instant glow it gives me. My skin felt smoother, more hydrated and soothed.
To write this review, I stopped using any other hydrating serums and products, and applied the snail mucin essence twice per day for over two weeks. Once in the evening, and once in the morning. I applied four pumps of the essence post-cleansing, to slightly damp skin, across my face, neck and décolletage.
In the morning, I follow with sunscreen and in the evening, I either apply a moisturiser or a retinoid. In my routine, essences sit in the ‘toner’ stage, post-cleansing. If I were to use an acid exfoliant, I would use the essence as my third step in the routine.
One of the first things I noticed while testing was its sticky texture. It's a thick, slightly sticky jelly essence. However, it feels lightweight when applied to the skin, and I find it absorbs well.
The main things I were looking for while testing were skin hydration, smoothness and how well it layered with other products. Remember that in order to notice any long-term effects, such as skin smoothing, a product must be used for at least eight to 12 weeks. I've kept this in my skincare routine since my official testing period ended, and I'll continue to update my review with any changes I notice.
Why you can trust me
As a beauty editor and qualified facialist, I have been testing skincare products and in-clinic treatments for over a decade, for magazines in the UK and the US. I’ve thoroughly reviewed beauty tech, skincare and makeup for publications like Glamour, IndyBest, Cosmopolitan, HuffPost US and others. I often attend industry events, in order to discover the new products in skincare, makeup and wellness.
I really enjoy quizzing dermatologists, product developers, brand founders and reading scientific papers to understand what goes into a product or treatment. I’ve had acne since my teens, so believe me when I say skincare found me, before I found it. I know the journey to skin health isn’t linear, nor easy. I focus on long-term results rather than “quick” fixes or TikTok beauty hacks, but I’m always happy to test them out and give them my stamp of approval (or disapproval).
My experience using the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
My experience testing this product has been positive. I actually received many compliments on how glowy and healthy my skin looked! I really enjoyed the instant plumpness and glow it gave me.
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What surprised me the most, is that after a few days of using this essence, I did not need any extra hydration from hyaluronic acid serums or similar products. This product does all the hydration in a simple, quick and easy step. Perfect for those days I’m in a rush.
As the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is quite thick, I layer from thinnest to thickest. The final step is always the sunscreen, after all the other layers are dry. The sequence depends on the thickness of the products I use each day. For example, my vitamin C serum is thinner than this essence – generally, vitamin C should be applied on dry skin.
I find it layers well with other products, but that may require some trial and error depending on the textures used and how minimalistic a routine is.
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In terms of hydration and plumpness, I noticed the results immediately and they only got better day after day. This is the closest product I’ve used that gave me a ‘glass skin’ effect with low effort.
How to apply the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence should be applied to slightly damp skin, similar to any hyaluronic acid product. I either add a little water or use a water mist (the Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray or the Evian Facial spray, whichever I have handy) before applying.
“Snail mucin works best when applied to slightly damp skin, similar to hyaluronic acid. Applying it after cleansing or after a hydrating toner helps it attract and retain moisture more effectively,” said Dr. Nora Jaafar.
The brand recommends two to three pumps for the face only, and four to five for face, neck and décolletage. It can be applied once or twice a day. Apply it on cleansed skin and continue with any heavier serums or moisturisers.
“Applying it after cleansing or after a hydrating toner can help improve absorption and enhance its humectant properties. It should then be followed with a moisturiser to seal in hydration,” noted Dr. Aamna Adel.
Can you use it everyday?
Yes, the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence works best when used daily. As the purpose of this product is hydration and barrier support, you will reap the full benefits when you incorporate it into your daily routine. But, you can also include it in certain parts of your routine, such as a makeup prep serum.
Is the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence cruelty-free?
I hadn’t looked into the entire mucine extraction process until writing this review. The available information on how ethical this process is, is unclear to say the least, as it all depends on the supplier each brand uses. COSRX has claimed their process doesn’t harm the snails.
"Some brands state that the secretion is harvested without harming the snails, but practices can vary, so transparency from brands about their sourcing methods is important for consumers concerned about animal welfare,” said Dr. Nora Jaafar.
Based on a relatively old YouTube video, the snails aren’t harmed in this process. However, according to a recent PETA article, snail mucin isn’t at all ethical. Indeed, there are highly unethical methods that involve boiling or chemically stimulating the snails, but COSRX mention they don’t use such methods.
While many brands claim they are cruelty-free in their snail mucin extraction process, their practices are often unverified. Many don’t disclose any specific information, making it difficult to confirm if their products are indeed cruelty-free.
The below excerpt from a FAQs post COSRX shared in 2021 is the only relevant information I could find from the brand. This was also sent to me via email from the brand’s press team, confirming this process is still current in 2026.
COSRX doesn’t sell directly in physical stores within mainland China, which means they avoid the mandatory animal testing required by Chinese law, for imported cosmetics. I reached out to the brand press representative, who confirmed this information.
Based on the information I found on Korea’s Legislation Research Institute for cosmetics, I confirmed that it is indeed illegal to manufacture or distribute products in Korea that have been tested on animals.
But is COSRX cruelty-free? They don’t currently hold any official certifications. Though that’s not always required, it can make it easier for consumers to understand a brand’s stance. Further, COSRX is on Logical Harmony’s pending list, meaning the website has “reached out about their stance on animal testing and is waiting to receive a response or is waiting for the brand to finish completing the documents to be listed on Logical Harmony.” Similarly, they are in the ‘grey area’ on Cruelty Free Kitty’s website.
The brand also shared with me the following info regarding its cruelty-free status: “COSRX do not test their products or ingredients on animals, nor do they sell in mainland China, where animal testing is required by law. As of 2026, COSRX is not certified by major official, third-party cruelty-free organisations like Leaping Bunny or PETA."
While many popular brands use non-lethal methods, industry-wide standards are lacking, so we can’t be certain of the ethical and cruelty implications mucin extractions for snails.
It’s up to you to decide whether to use snail mucin products and whether you accept the brand’s claims. However, no snail mucin product will be suitable for vegans.
If you have ethical concerns about using snail mucin, there are plant-derived alternatives, like synthetic mucin or mucin produced from yam root, like Vegreen’s Nature Mucin Serum or Isntree’s Yam Root Vegan Milk Toner.
Our verdict: Is the COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence worth it?
The COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence is a great product for skin hydration, offering a glass skin effect and reducing water loss. If you are looking to improve hydration and support your skin barrier, this could be an excellent addition to your routine, but it’s not an essential step. “There are many well-studied ingredients that provide similar benefits, so whether I recommend it depends on the individual’s skin type, concerns, and overall skincare routine.” said Dr. Aamna Adel. I will continue using this product, as I'm quite happy with the short and long-term results it gives me.
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