I came back from Seoul with a jar of the very popular snail cream – face cream made with snail mucus. Eww!! I can almost see all of you cringe 😀
You know what? When I purchased it, I did not feel anything. I mean, I knew snails were involved and I read the brochure but I wasn’t super grossed out or anything. Heck, I’m Chinese. I probably have put stranger things in my mouth 😛 What I was really curious about, was whether it would help skin regenerate and erase lines and pigmentation and brighten the skin as promised.
The brand I purchased was the Tony Moly Intensive Snail Cream. Its not because it was the best nor was it because people love it. It was because I saw boxes of it flying off the shelves, and out of the bulk plastic bags, even before the sales assistants could stock the shelves! So I went over to look and ended up buying a tub that came with an eye cream.
People were buying this by the boxes! When I picked up just one, the cashier looked at me and asked (in Korean) if I was sure I only wanted one box. I understood, because she gestured at the rest of the boxes piled up on the counter. So, I didn’t buy the snail cream from Tony Moly because it was popular or very good or anything. I was just following my herd instinct. You might say it was an impulse purchase 😛
Let’s take a look at this Intense Live Snail Cream then, shall we? 🙂
Snail cream isn’t new, based on my research on the internet. Its been around a while, starting in Chile under different brands but its really taken the Koreans to cause this phenomenon to explode on the skincare scene. Snail cream is like the next biggest thing since Creme de la Mer. Erm… Ok almost 😛
What it is, is a face cream which contains snail mucin. Snail mucin contains an ingredient that helps with the recovery and wrinkle improvement of the skin and also helps with hydration and cell revitalization.
The Tony Moly Intense Repair Live Snail Cream contains snail mucin from raised snails in the area of Geumsan in Chungcheongnam-do and in their brochure, they have taken great pains to tell you that this is a snail secretion filtrate not an extract. Apparently, filtrates are more effective.
Yes, yes, all very nice, but how does it perform? I’m getting to that 😛
It might say snail cream and it tells you that there is snail mucus in there, but really, it looks just like any other face cream. It is even perfumed just like any other face cream. From appearances, and for all intents and purposes, it IS just another face cream.
The texture of the Tony Moly Intensive Snail Cream is rather thick. A friend tried this same cream before I did and broke out within 2 days. They weren’t amused. So I was a little hesitant to give it a go. I started using this cream diligently for a while, and then off and on so I think I finally have formed some thoughts on it.
Keeping my friend’s experience in mind, I only use very little of the cream each time. There is a spatula included in the box, and I use quite a minute amount, because I found this cream was quite oily. A thin layer was fine on the skin, but a little thicker and it would feel a bit uncomfortable.
The oiliness is also why I could not use it in the day. It felt heavy on my skin in our hot and humid tropical weather. At night, I sleep in an air-conditioned room, so I could afford to use a thicker oilier cream. And it does feel quite comfortable used in the evenings. As I have combination skin, I apply it on my cheeks and only very very little on my forehead, nose and chin.
One of the things I noticed almost immediately within a week of using this snail cream, is that my skin felt markedly smoother around the cheeks, where my skin is driest. My skin also looked and felt soft and fine. It was quite impressive. I did however break out a little on my chin where my skin seems to be oiliest. So now, I apply this cream on my cheeks and use only the hint of the remnants on my chin area.
However, I did not experience any lightening of pigmentation or brightening of the skin just from using this cream. Even after a month and then using it off and on, I only really experienced softer, finer skin texture. Fortunately for me, unlike my friend, I experienced break outs only on my chin and when I cut back the use, no more breakouts.
As I have noted however, due to the oily texture of the cream, I only use very little, and only primary on my cheek area. So, was it worth it then?
Yes and no.
Yes, it fulfilled my curiousity. I’d never come across the use of snail slime in cream and now that I’ve tried it, I can say that its not all bad. It did not break my skin out, and the skin on my cheeks look dewy and lovely, but it isn’t a miracle cream as people claim it to be.
No, it did nothing to brighten the skin or lighten spots. My skin felt finer and smoother but that was it.
In a nutshell
An interesting face cream containing snail mucin that is supposed to help regenerate skin, lighten and brighten skin and be moisturizing. I experienced minor breakouts around the oilier parts of my face but my cheeks which are the driest part benefited the most from this cream. The skin looks and feels more dewy and smooth and soft. The cream is rather oily so it is best suited for those with drier skin or for night use in hot humid weather.
Pros: Dry skin on my cheeks look smoother and feel softer
Cons: Oily and can break people out, Did not brighten skin nor lighten spots
I do not know if there are snail creams from other brands available here in Malaysia at this time. I never paid much attention because whilst I have tried this and am still using it now and again, I cannot see myself repurchasing. It just doesn’t have a wow factor for me.
I hear there’s a cream out there made with nightingale droppings which I don’t think I’ll be giving a go any time soon. Feel free to go “Eww!” now 🙂
Paris B
Ingredients: Snail Secretion Filtrate, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Niacinamide,Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Cetyl Ethylexanoate, Glycol Stearate SE, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Octyldodecyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Sodium Hyaluronate, Limnantes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Propanediol, Glyceryl Stearate, Dimethicone, Beeswax, PEG-100 Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyacrylate-13, Laureth-23, Stearic Acid, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Panthenol, Polyisobutene, Citrus Medica Limonum (lemon) peel oil, Centella Asiatica Extract, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Adenosine, Butylene Glycol, Citrus Auranthum Bergamia (Bergamot) fruit oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Polysorbate 20, Citrus Arantium Dulcis (Orange) peel oil, Citrus Aurantifolia (lime) oil, PEG-8, Pinus Sylvestris Leaf Oil, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Carbomer, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol
Tony Moly Intense Repair Snail Cream and eye cream box set was purchased in Seoul for 36,000 Won (about US$36) and is available at all Tony Moly stores or at the Lotte Duty Free department store.
I remember seeing on some travel show where the French who produced them escargot snails slapped them onto their faces… hmmm…
Well, at least I don’t have to put up with it with my oily skin, heh heh!
I was going to ask if it would be cheaper to just slap a snail onto one’s cheeks but I guess you beat me to it. :))
I’ll pass…. you’re so brave, PB!
Bravery – my middle name after Stupidity 😉
Yeah oily skins need not apply 😛 and the french just slapped snails on their face? Now that’s eww!
oh…how disappointing that its sooo oily…i dont think i’d be able to use it then…thx for the review 🙂
Yep it is oily so best not to try it!
I’ve read about this before and strangely, I’m not grossed out because I’ve been heading out every night with torch light and salt to kill slugs and snails who’ve been going after my plants. I’m still not at the point where I’d like to place that on my skin because I hate those buggers with a vengeance 😛
I’m glad it sort of worked for you, it’s not that pricey and I’d classify it as drugstore moisturiser?
I wouldn’t say its pricey. This set is one of the pricier ones in the Korean market I think. Korean cosmetics are generally really cheap and I can’t figure out why 😛
I bought a different package containing serum and the snail cream. Same brand different package though..
I found the snail cream is thick and creamy, therefore, I used it during the night in a air condition room too and used other moisturiser during the day. I don’t feel grossed out when applying the cream onto my face. To me it’s does give smoother and softer skin the next day. The snail cream is just meh to me.
However, I do love the serum!! and I definately repurchase the serum again..
I bought another snail cream from It’s Skin and haven’t got a chance to use it yet.. hahaah Looking forward to use it tonight and see how’s the different comparing to Tony Moly!
I’d love to hear how the It’s Skin one’s like! I recently went to Korea to and got snail creams and serums from It’s Skin, Tony Moly and Missha for my mom…=D
Ooh thanks for sharing! I might have seen the set with the serum too but I think I passed on it because it was pricier and I wasn’t sure if it’d work for me. I rarely use eye creams anyway 😛
AHCHOO! *sorry*.
i guess those with oily skins like me may not benefit too much from this hey?
Ahchoo? Are you allergic to snails? 😛
I’m curious, but sad I can’t try this particular brand since I have oily skin. It seems to contain a ton of oils and plant extracts; I wonder which is doing what? I also wonder if rubbing pure snail mucus (sans other ingredients) in a jar would be too horrible… 😛
Haha I think from what I read, the mucus is obtained by “massaging” the snails so they excrete the mucus which is then processed. Not so keen to try it now eh? 😛
When I visited Korea, it was the “IN” thing in Korea. I went “eeew” hahhahaha soI didn’t purchase any as I haven’t read anything about it til recently!!! Ok, snail mucous? BRING IT ON!!!
Haha you should have tried! 😛
ewwww!! ;P
Err I’m guessing you won’t be trying it then? 😛
Next stop, Elicina cream? 😀
I’m not even sure where to get that here! I think they were at the forefront of snail creams though 🙂
I received samples of this with purchase. When I took a good look at it back home, I was so grossed out I threw the samples away with a cringing face. No thanks to snail. No matter how effective it can be, I think there’s other alternatives out there. Eeeks. Very brave, girl!!
Aww… they aren’t gross in feel or smell or anything 🙂 Just smells and feels like a regular face cream but I think once you know whats in there, the repulsive feeling can kick in 😉 Yes there are other alternatives of course but I think the Koreans find this the most “effective” in the shortest time 🙂
LOL! This post cracked me up. Not suitable for my face, but the concept is interesting 😉
I wonder what they’ll come up with next eh? We’ve done placenta, snail mucus, nightingale droppings…
Love this post! 😀 I’ve been wanting to try snail mucus cream- the only one available in Malaysia is from Etude House, I think? Can’t seem to find the others 🙁 But I’m more concerned on whether or not it’ll work for me rather than the snail mucus because I have crazy sensitive skin haha! 😛
Ah thanks for the info! So Etude House does carry theirs here then? Could you beg a sample off Etude House? I read theirs is not bad (from those who use these things regularly)
Yes, I can confirm that Etude House carries the snail cream- it’s named the Darling cream 🙂 I keep seeing it in the Pavilion booth, and I’ve seen it before in the 1U shop, too. Ah, I keep forgetting to ask for samples! 😛 Mainly because every time I plan to sample/try the snail cream another moisturiser/skincare/makeup product enters my brain and kicks the snail cream out of the spot of interest haha!
Oh, and they have the sheet mask for it, too!
Oh yes I remember seeing the sheet masks with snail mucus extract! Almost all Korean brands have them but I think I passed on those because they were pricey!
Eeee…..!!!! I heard about snail stuff from Tina (at Chasing Elixir)…but I don’t think I could put that stuff on my face!
Haha if no one told you what it contains, you just might! 😉
I like the concept, but I guess it’s not a miracle cream after all. I’ve heard of a nightingale droppings scrub from japan.
I’d be disappointed if there wasn’t really snail mucous in the cream! 😀
btw, u read about the empire mall blast? so shocking n sad (one of my fav malls too) 🙁
Yes it was everywhere yesterday. I’m actually more worried now about the structural integrity of the building after what seems like a huge explosion. Hopefully they reinforce it and everything so its safe 🙂
I heard of some skincare containing nightingale droppings too! I wasn’t sure if it was Japan or Korea but I knew it had to be one of them LOL! I wonder if that one stinks 😛
I am now getting curious about these snail creams ….
That’s what happened to me too! Curiousity 😀 Who knows if they’ll work better for you than they did for me 🙂
erm, thanks for the review. I’ll stick with peptides and retinol, thank you!
LOL! I would too actually. Probably works better!
I have been quite interested with the concept of snail cream but if its heavy and it only gives a smoother skin, then it might not be that interesting a product keeping in mind that snail secretion is the first ingredient in the list too…great review 🙂
Thank you. Perhaps it will work best for those who want smoother skin or perhaps it might just work better for someone else.
Tony Moly one I heard only suitable for dry to very dry skin. I personally haven’t tried it before. The one I have tried and repurchased is from It’s Skin. It’s Skin snail cream is really good. I have sensitive combination skin, and been using the cream every evening and I have seen great improvement on my skin. 🙂 It makes my skin so smooth and glowy. But, I can’t see any brightening improvement though. Most importantly no breakouts! Hehe. Lucky me I guess.
I didn’t do my research before I went to Korea so I didn’t know haha… but after trying it, yes I can confirm that its more suitable for those who have dry skin. Glad the It’s Skin one works for you though!
I love escargot, so I don’t think it would gross me out to use this. I just discovered the tiniest of lines around my eyes last night, so the race is on. I have been using common drugstore eye creams, but now I’m going for the big guns. So, I am definitely on the lookout for some good creams. Thanks for the info.
Oh! And, I LOVE the cartoon on the image. Very cute.
I’m not sure this is your best bet for an eye cream although the eye cream version might be worth a shot.
I got sucked into buying Nature Republic’s Snail Therapy line while in Korea! 😛 Happened when my friend bought some stuff in Apgujeong’s Nature Republic and they gave us some samples of the Skin Booster and Emulsion. Used it during my whole week in Korea cause I love the smell and ended buying home the eye cream, ampoule, cream and emulsion! :O
Have yet to open cause I’m still using the samples. But it’s a bit oily for me, it was okay when I used it in Korea (since it was cold) but now that I’m back in Malaysia, I realised that it might not be so suitable.
Boo. 🙁