Do you guys mind using products with "Snail Secretion Filtrate"?

[lanart]

Before I switched all my makeup to vegan/cruelty free products, I used to use the It Cosmetics CC Cream. I probably purchased 4 tubes not realizing one of it's main ingredients is snail slime. Snail slime grosses me out, but how do you guys feel about it? Would you use products containing snail slime?

[thebeautyhelper]

Most likely not because I like cruelty free brands 

[Teddysmom24]

It’s extremely important to ensure you have a reliable source when seeking answers for important things, such as whether or not something is cruelty free. 

While snail mucin is believed to be good for skin in several different ways, per “The Mayo Clinic” this is really the truth about collection of the mucin: 

“Is snail mucin cruelty-free?

Snail mucin is collected in different ways — some friendlier than others. To produce a particular protective mucin, snails must be under stress. To stress the snails, they’re often poked with a stick or sprayed with a small amount of sodium chloride to start the stress response. The snails are in a machine that collects their slime. The snails are kept in a safe place while they recover and then are released back to their homes.

In another process, snail shells get cracked and the snail bodies are removed. The snails are washed in cold water to separate the mucin for collection.“ This site won’t allow me to include the link from the Mayo Clinic re snail mucin. It’s legitimate. Look up “the real truth about snail mucin” under “the Mayo Clinic”. 

I don’t find any of those collection processes acceptable. “Poked with a stick” WTH? 

I’m almost 60 and would love to turn back the clock on my face in various ways. But I cannot do it at the expense of a helpless, vulnerable animal. I wouldn’t be able to look at myself in the mirror. It very disturbing what is still being done (beagles raised and living their entire lives in cages and used for cruel and inhumane PERFUME testing - yes! In the US!), and this kind of stuff, on snails. Some people will invariably think “snails don’t “feel” or that since they’re not mammals that it doesn’t matter. 

Being inhumane and cruel is inhumane and cruel. No matter how you try to spin it. 

[cinchan]

I, too, just realized that It Cosmetics CC cream uses snail secretion filtrate only after I almost finished my first tube, and that grossed me out.. But then, I haven't found anything as good, and honestly I would rather use something organic/natural than chemical, so I decided to keep using it. The fact that the cream uses snail secretion that means it uses natural ingredients, and that's much better, in my opinion, than a bunch of chemicals that I don't know how to pronounce. I did some research and it seems that snail secretion is a popular natural ingredient for cosmetics and the snails are not killed during extraction, so no worries about animal cruelty if that's a concern. 

[6come6]

CosRx's snail secretion Essence is amazing. I was quite hesitant at first, but it really adds hydration to my skin. I am glad to have incorporated it into my routine and don't plan to stop. I actually want to expand to other skincare products that carry the same ingredient. I hope you find that it works well with your skin!

[Malmo]

I also use the CosRx Snail Essence and it has done wonders for my skin. I highly recommend that product. It is a little icky at first but now all I think about is how amazing my skin looks now.

[heylady14]

I love CosRx Snail Essence as well-I did a lot of research to verify that snail mucinen is extracted in a cruelty-free way and was excited to find out that it is. Honestly, my combo skin loves the stuff. It controls oil, reduces breakouts, and makes my skin feel amazing. I am constantly telling my friends and family to embrace the snail!

[Anonymous]

Gross! Lol. I've probably made similar mistakes before making the switch to cruelty free leaning vegan. 🙂 I also avoid pearl powder (Tatcha and most Sunday Riley products, even the oils). Bite lipstick has snail in it too I think. Sad because it looks like a great product otherwise...

[Anonymous]

I use CosRX's snail mucus and I love it. I haven't looked into it, but I've heard that the snails aren't harmed.

[khalano]

I LOVE using products with snail mucus! I wish I could just pick up any snail and let it crawl on my skin for the same results. Snail Secretion Filtrate sounds gross and isn't vegan, but I have not had better results with any other "Holy Grail" ingredient. My skin is softer, healthier, and my scars are less noticeable. Snail Slime is something I look for in a product, and having it in the product will increase my chance of buying the product.

[magicmonkiee]

I know snail secretion is supposed to be good for your face, and that so many people love the it cosmetics cc cream, but I choose not to use items with snail. It's a personal choice you have to make for yourself. Personally I just can't get into it. It weirds me out too much to put snail on my face.

[Anonymous]

I've heard that snail slime is good for your face, but as someone who has kept land snails as pets, I'd never buy a product made with snail slime. Snails naturally secrete slime as they motor around, but it's only a little bit. To get large quantities of slime, you'd have to keep unthinkable numbers of snails. How would it be collected? Would they be cared for gently and properly? Honestly, collecting slime wouldn't be cost-efficient. Probably, the snails are bred, raised to a certain size, and killed so slime can be extracted from their bodies. Snails are such sweet & gentle, softly inquisitive, quietly charming animals. There are plenty of other humane ingredients we can use to benefit our faces; bypass the snail slime.

[MertS]

I actually looked into how this secretion is produced and learned that they use environmental adjustments to arouse the snails. This produces the slime without harming the snails and they can be used to produce the product for the farm for weeks and weeks. In the past, they basically dried out the snails using salts and vinegar, but this newer method is cruelty free and more cost effective for the farmers!

[quspork]

There are large scale snail farms throughout South America and Italy, as well as other places, and they do no kill the snails to gather the secretions. 

[Coquetries]

Snail is a very popular ingredient internationally because of its ability to effectively hydrate while also being suitable for sensitive skin. Google "snail in asian skincare" or korean skincare and you'll find a lot of info about what's in it, such as hylauronic acid (a great humectant) and peptides. I've used lots of products with it and have no problem with the idea. Considering it is a filtrate, filtered multiple times to purify it, it's cleaner and arguably more "natural" then some other chemicals in skincare.

If you're concerned about the vegan or cruelty free aspect of it, I suggest looking up videos or articles on the snail farms in Chile and France. Though it's animal derived, it can be collected without harming snails, so it may still suit your ethical priorities. 

[quspork]

Several years ago, I started getting into Korean skincare and there are many products across several brands there that contain snail secretion as an ingredient. Honestly, I love it! It's so good for redness and healing acne. I know it's in the IT CC cream you posted and I would love to see it used more in other Western brands.