I tried Ulta’s $25 snail skincare range – it sounds gross but I’m a convert, I’ve re-ordered 5 times
IF you’ve been paying any attention in the last decade, Korean beauty has been on the rise.
Brands like Laneige, Dr. Jart+, and COSRX are now stocked at major Western retailers like Ulta, Sephora, and even Target.
One line of products, in particular, has generated interest due to its unique primary ingredient — gooey snail slime.
I tried the cult-favorite COSRX Advanced Snail line, available in a trial-size kit for just $25 at Ulta.
The kit comes with four key skincare staples: a cleanser, essence, moisturizer, and eye cream, all featuring snail secretion filtrate (mucin) as the star of the show.
Now, to be transparent, I am no beginner when it comes to Asian skincare or snail goo.
Sure, when I first heard of it eons ago (like, 2015?) I was initially a little grossed out at the thought of having a creature’s slime on my face.
But I quickly got over the ick once I had the physical product right before my eyes.
What many first-timers might be surprised to see in this kit is its cosmetic elegance.
CLEANSER
The Advanced Snail Mucin Gel Cleanser ($18), for example, is a non-stripping, non-foaming cleanser that I found to be perfect for those looking for a gentle face wash.
The only product in the line with added fragrance, the scent is barely detectable and slightly lemony but the real upside was how hydrated my skin felt after the cleanse.
There was no squeaky-clean feeling in my skin after use, which I’ve learned is a sign that your cleanser is drying your skin out.
ESSENCE & CREAM
Next up came the two stand-outs: the Power Essence ($25) and All in One Cream ($26).
You can certainly tell the essence is made with over 96 percent snail mucin from its viscosity, but I was surprised to see that it dried down almost instantly on the skin, leaving it hydrated.
The cream was also gooey, which was expected of a moisturizer made with 92 percent snail, but sunk into my skin well and protected it throughout a harsh New York winter.
As for the claims that the brand boasts of the two products on its website, they were partially true for me.
The essence and cream improved my skin texture and scars, provided intense hydration and, to some extent, exercised anti-aging benefits due to its plumping properties.
However, I did not notice any effect on fading my dark spots.
Over time, I noticed a shift in my skin as a result of the two products.
I had started my skincare journey with dehydrated, dry skin, but after a few months of using the skincare line, noticed that my skin type shifted to combination-oily once my moisture barrier had been repaired.
EYE CREAM
The stunning efficacy of these two-star products, however, brings me to the most disappointing of the line — the Snail Peptide Eye Cream ($28).
COSRX’s site claims that the Advanced Snail Peptide Eye Cream’s benefits include firming skin, boosting radiance, targeting fine lines, and reducing dark circles and under-eye puffiness.
If you were considering purchasing full-size products of the line, I would skip the eye cream — I did not see it deliver on these promises.
FINAL VERDICT
My favorites are, without a doubt, the essence and the cream.
I would pick up the cleanser if you’re running low on your current one but would skip the eye cream entirely.
If you were seriously considering pulling the trigger on the line, as someone who has emptied and re-ordered these three products five times, I would also go to retailers besides Ulta for the best deal.
When my own stock lows run and I’m not in a rush, I turn to Korean retailers such as Stylevana, where shipping can take a few weeks, or, if I’m in a rush, Walmart also sells the line for cheaper.
For around $20 a piece, however, I’d say that trying COSRX’s Snail line is a no-brainer — they really hit the snail on the head with this one.
