Description
Filtered mucin secretion from cultivated Helix aspersa (garden snail), the active that built the global snail-skincare category through K-beauty. Contains a complex matrix of glycosaminoglycans, glycolic acid, allantoin, copper peptides, and antimicrobial peptides delivering hydration, gentle exfoliation, and repair effects.
Pale yellow to translucent viscous liquid with a faintly sweet odor. Fully water-soluble. Typically supplied as 60 to 100 percent filtrate; downstream brands further dilute in finished formulations.
We supply cosmetic-grade Snail Secretion Filtrate from manufacturers in China holding ISO 22716, ISO 9001, Halal and cruelty-free third-party audit certifications relevant to the product and production. Cultivation follows non-stress collection protocols where the snails are not harmed.
Common market grades include Standard 60% filtrate, Concentrated 90% filtrate, and Lyophilized snail mucin powder for anhydrous and powder-format products. Total solids and protein content are the primary differentiators across grades.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering total solids, protein content, allantoin and glycolic acid markers, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Introduction
Snail mucin was first recognized as a topical active in the 1980s in Chile, where Helix aspersa snail farmers noticed that their hands healed faster than expected from cuts and abrasions. Commercial cosmetic development followed in the 1990s in Latin America and accelerated globally in the 2010s through K-beauty brands, most notably COSRX and Mizon.
Industrial production uses cultivated Helix aspersa under controlled humidity and temperature, with secretion collection by gentle non-stress stimulation. The raw mucin is filtered through micro and ultrafiltration to remove particulates, standardized for total solids, and preserved with cosmetic preservative systems. Sterile-filtered grades for clean-beauty positioning are also available.
Regulatory status is that of a listed cosmetic ingredient in CosIng, the PCPC INCI dictionary, and China IECIC. China's NMPA cosmetic ingredient list places snail filtrate in a routine cosmetic-ingredient category. The U.S. FDA treats it as a standard cosmetic ingredient. Cruelty-free certification is available through third-party schemes that audit collection protocols.
Clinical evidence is moderate but expanding. Peer-reviewed studies demonstrate measurable improvement in fine line appearance, post-acne hyperpigmentation, and skin hydration at finished-product use levels of 30 to 96 percent SSF over 8 to 12 weeks. The multi-component matrix means efficacy is not driven by a single active.
Strategically, snail mucin remains the signature ingredient of K-beauty's repair category, with COSRX Advanced Snail 96 essence anchoring global mass-market awareness. Demand growth has been steady through the past decade and the category continues to expand into Western and Southeast Asian markets.
Where it is used
- Repair and hydration essences (K-beauty defining category)
- Anti-aging serums positioned around regeneration
- Post-acne mark fading products
- Soothing creams for compromised barrier and post-procedure skin
- Sheet mask essences and ampoules
- Eye contour creams and serums
- Spot-treatment products for blemishes and scars
- Premium night creams and sleeping masks
- Sensitive-skin product lines
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale yellow to translucent viscous liquid |
| INCI Name | Snail Secretion Filtrate |
| Filtrate content | 60% to 96% min (per grade) |
| Total solids | 0.8% to 2.5% |
| Protein content | 0.1% to 1.0% |
| Allantoin (marker) | Detectable by HPLC |
| pH | 6.5 to 8.0 |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 10 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 2 mg/kg |
| Total plate count | ≤ 100 CFU/g |
| E. coli, Salmonella, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa | Negative |
| Source | Cultivated Helix aspersa, non-stress collection, filtered |
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