Review: COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence

Where to purchase: Available on Yesstyle HERE

You can use my Discount Code: CVQFZA

Price: £16.08

Volume: 100ml

What is it?: A lightweight Snail Secretion Filtrate Essence which absorbs into the skin and provides a hydrated, plump look.

What it does: Cosrx state this is good to plump, recover the skin from redness and nourish the skin.

Good for: Oily, acne prone skins and those who live in hot humid weathers. Also Dry skins as those who love the Hada Labo Premium Lotion (Review HERE) would also enjoy this texture.

Packaging: This is the new Pump Packaging – so the cap and lid has vastly improved from its predecessor! It’s less messy to use and easier to travel with. I really like this pump and the cap feels secure.

Directions: ”1. After cleansing and toning, apply a small amount on your entire face. 2. Gently pat using fingertips to aid absorption, and then go forth with your moisturisers.”

How I use it: Because this is 1. cooling, 2. Hydrating and 3. Lightweight – I have been using this as a toner! I apply it onto a cotton pad and swipe my face. And then I dab my face to ensure all product has been smoothly spread, and then this absorbs nicely and I can move onto the next step of my skincare (Argireline solution 10%, Review HERE), with plump skin ready to absorb product!. If I want, I can even apply a second layer with no issues. Or if it’s very hot, I use this as my toner, put on my serum, and then my Skinceuticals HA intensifier (review HERE). These 3 layer well and don’t cause the skin to feel too heavy.

Key Ingredients: 96.3% Snail Secretion Filtrate – (great repair and hydration properties) – This contains Sugars, Hyaluronic Acid, Copper peptides, Antimicrobial peptides and elements such as Zinc and iron – it’s great for the skin as a humectant. Snail mucin also helps replenish moisture and soothes irritated skin.

Betaine – a great moisturiser. Butylene Glycol – a humectant. Sodium Hyaluronate – Humectant. Allantoin – Soothing Panthenol – skin calming. Arginine – barrier repairing.

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

NOTE: The Incidecoder have a full product breakdown HERE

Texture: COSRX describe this as ”a Lightweight, yet moisturising texture that gives one long-lasting hydration.” – I agree. This is lightweight and moisturising as well as hydrating. It feels like a glass of water for the skin but it is thick (close in texture to the Hada Labo Premium Lotion!). It has that sort of gloop that snail mucin provides, there is some viscosity and heaviness to this product – but that makes it all the more hydrating and moisturising. I find that this layers fine under and on top of products. I do think it may be too much for hot and humid weather if a relatively thick moisturiser is also applied on top.

What I like the most about this is that the finish isn’t oily or greasy.

A small amount is absolutely enough to spread ALL OVER the face – the spreadability of this is amazing. So I think this would last one a long while since you need so little to cover the face.

It literally slathers on the skin – it’s absolutely got that snail mucin texture that’s gloopy BUT doesn’t ball/pill up under other layers. It just feels so cooling and almost like applying aloe vera gel on the skin WITHOUT the stickiness that occurs once the product has dried down.

Youtube Video! – Live Swatching the Snail Essence if you want to see its Texture! (and how I incorporate it into my routine)

Fragrance?: No added Fragrance or Essential Oils

Good Under Makeup?: Yes!

How long have I been using this?: Just over a Month

The Effect?: Plumped out + Hydrated skin + this does calm down irritated skin

What I like:

• Didn’t irritate / aggrevate my skin
• Actually helped calm down my skin
• Lightweight without it disappearing in the skin (the mucin helps this form a layer on top of the skin yet this product still feels breathable) – no oily residue
• Hydrating
• No added fragrance
• I like that it has other good additional ingredients other than Snail mucin (i.e Arginine, Adenosine, Panthenol, Hyaluronic Acid…)
• Great packaging (I like the pump and the cap) – easy to travel with + less messy than the previous version.
• Cools the skin too (great for hot weather)
• Layerable
• Not sticky even though it forms a layer
• Spreadable – a little goes a long-way, so it takes a while to get through

What I don’t like:

• Snail Mucin has an aquired taste – i.e. if you like the feel of snail mucin (sort of gloopy/mucosal) then this is great. But sometimes I’m not in the mood for a product containing snail mucin as it never full disappears into the skin and sometimes I need my essence to do so (really saturates the skin)

Youtube Video: Live swatching the Snail Mucin Power Essence

Overall Rating and Conclusion: 4.5/5 – I think if you like the Hada Labo Premium Lotion (review HERE) – You would like the texture of this. I’ve seen people apply this essence and then the Snail All in One Cream, if they have dry skin – and that really locks in the hydration and moisture in for them! But for those with oily skin, I think this is excellent – it doesn’t feel heavy, it doesn’t feel pore clogging and it doesn’t have an oily or greasy finish. Dehydrated skins – this is a great humectant product that should help provide that needed water to the skin. Dry skins – just pair this with a moisturiser and one is good to go!

Would I purchase?: Yes – I like this product! It’s lightweight and I can use it both as a toner and/or an essence! It’s great for hot and dry weather and there’s no fragrance/essential oils. It’s fine under makeup and I like the packaging 🙂

Dupe?: The Closest thing for me has been the Hada Labo Premium Lotion Review HERE (however it doesn’t have that snail mucin gloopiness, but this has the same level of viscosity /texture). Both are layerable and don’t ball /pill on the skin. Of course they differ in terms of the ingredients. if you want similar ingredients then the secret key snail serum feels similar and has that snail mucin residue gloopiness.

My Skin Type: I am acne prone and have combo skin. My skin is usually tight where the cheeks and eye area is and the outer parts of my face. My T zone is oily. My skin isn’t a fan of thick/heavy formulas so I opt for lightweight formulas to prevent it from clogging up. My skin doesn’t like essential oils either and I try to avoid fragrance when I can.

Disclaimer: I am a skincare enthusiast and not a skin expert. I am not qualified to give out dermatological advice. This type of advice should only be given by a medical practitioner. Upon trying / using any of the reviewed products on the blog, please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings and please seek medical advice if needed.