First it was the bee venom facial pre-Princess Kates wedding and now its snail slime.
Snail slime can be found in skincare products from masks to lotions compounded for dry, normal and oily skin types.
Snail slime sales people tout the slime as being antioxidant rich and packed with hyaluronic acid - an ingredient found in dermal fillers that plump up the skin.
If this is the case should you start collecting snails for their slime? Is snail slop really a super food, or 21st century snake oil?
As a plastic surgeon I look at the science behind the claims before advising my clients to invest in products and services.
A review of the scientific literature revealed a paucity of information about the actual ingredients in the slime produced by snails. Therefore, the beneficial effect of the slime itself cannot be plugged.
It is more likely that the ingredients that cosmetic companies add into the product provide more benefit than the snail slime. These add-ins include: Allantoin, a product that sooths irritated skin; Collagen and elastin, that are structural proteins of the skin; Hyaluronic acid, that moisturizes, lubricates and softens the skin. All these ingredients have large molecules that do not penetrate the skin’s protective barrier (stratum corneum). Therefore, their effect is superficial.
Glycolic acid, another of the added products, is a chemical peel that exfoliates and eliminates dead cells on the skin surface.
In summary, we are unable to find any well-controlled scientific studies that support the beneficial effect of snail slime on rejuvenating facial skin.
As the snow melts and spring blossoms, hold off rushing into the garden to collect the unsuspecting snails!
They, the snails, benefit more from their slime than we humans do!
Julie Spehar, PA Student
University of Mount Union
Bryan J. Michelow, MD
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