COSRX snail mucin review: I tried the Korean skincare brand for glass skin
GLASS skin is the Korean beauty trend that doesn’t seem to be faltering any time soon and the glowing look is perfect for anyone suffering from dry, flaky skin.
At the helm is one brand which has been praised all over social media for its super-hydrating skincare products, COSRX.
When I visited Seoul last year, I was struck by the fact that the brand's bestselling products champion one key ingredient: snail mucin.
“It’s a nutrient-rich byproduct compatible with all skin types that can help improve a damaged skin barrier by offering deep hydration,” says Julia Marinkovich, the UK COSRX representative.
“This can help contribute to a plumper and more glowing complexion, and there’s also research to support the claim that snail secretion filtrate can promote wound healing and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
With this in mind, I decided to test the five most popular products from the K-beauty brand to see if I could heal my dry and sensitive skin. So read on to find out what happened when I tested COSRX.
COSRX review: How we tested
I have combination skin that's on the dryer side with an oily T-zone. My skin has also become sensitised over the years due to over-exfoliation and testing out hundreds of beauty products.
I swapped five of COSRX’s products with my current skincare routine and tested them for over a month, every morning and night. As I didn’t try out a cleanser or SPF from the brand, I used existing products in conjunction with the tested products.
Pros
- Intensely moisturising
- Non-irritating
- Repairs skin’s barrier
Cons
- Not suitable for shellfish allergy
- Not vegan
- Sticky texture
Overall Rating: 4/5
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Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Pros: Instant hydration, glass-like finish, only need a small amount, heals dryness and scarring
Cons: Sticky consistency, doesn’t pair well with thick moisturisers
Rating: 5/5
The brand’s most popular product is the Snail 96 Power Essence so I couldn’t start this review without mentioning it first, but spoiler, it’s worth the hype.
While it’s labelled as an essence, I think it's better to categorise this as a serum as its viscous texture is similar to Hyaluronic Acid serums, but is less watery in texture which makes applying it much easier.
The trick to getting the most hydration out of it is to apply it on damp skin, so after cleansing, I spritz a facial spray over my face and wait a few seconds before applying the essence. A little goes a long way; you only need one to two pumps to cover the entire face.
It’s got a super-high concentration of snail mucin and I’ve noticed almost immediate effects since using this; my skin feels instantly hydrated and stays moisturised for longer throughout the day.
Moreover, I’m impressed with how it’s managed to soothe my skin’s barrier and even take down some redness I have.
Personally, I prefer using this over Hyaluronic Acid as it keeps my skin hydrated for longer and the texture works for my dry skin. However, oilier types may find it too heavy and I used less on my forehead than my cheeks.
It does take a bit of work to figure out how to layer it too: while it worked perfectly with its snail cream and light moisturisers, it didn’t absorb as well when I layered an E45 face cream over it as it was too occlusive.
But it’s been over a month since I started using this essence and it’s become part of my daily routine, and when I finish this bottle, I’m immediately getting another one.
Size: 100ml Skin type: All, sensitive How to Apply: Apply to damp skin after cleansing or toning and before serums
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Advanced Snail 92 All-in-One Cream
Pros: Gives glowy finish, hydrating, soothes dryness and redness, works under make-up
Cons: Sticky texture, not moisturising enough for dry skin, messy application
Rating: 3.5 / 5
If you want glass skin immediately, then the all-in-one snail cream will deliver just that. Similar to the essence, this cream is infused with a whopping 92% of snail mucin, and when you open the jar it looks exactly like slime.
I didn’t mind the look of it too much but I did find that it’s a bit messy to use. It’s super sticky to the touch, which makes it tricky to extract the right amount, so you'll want to start small and then apply more if needed.
But it’s amazing value for money as only a small amount is needed to cover your entire face.
Surprisingly, when I massaged it on, it didn’t feel greasy at all and left my skin with a glossy sheen, almost filter-like, and I absolutely loved the look it gave. It also works well under make-up, but make sure you layer it with more cream-based products, as opposed to powder, to emphasise the glow.
Despite the glowy look, I actually found that it wasn’t moisturising enough to keep my dry skin hydrated for long periods and I had to apply an emollient cream over the dryer parts of my face.
I’ve since moved this to my nighttime routine as it’s slightly too fussy for me to use in the daytime and I prefer using a richer cream to really lock in that moisture.
Size: 100g Skin type: All How to Apply: Apply to the face after cleansing and toning, avoid mouth and eye area and press remaining residue in with fingers
COSRX Master Pimple Patch
Pros: Effective at reducing redness, invisible, big size, prevents dirt, comfortable
Cons: Can be drying
Rating: 5/5
Even though COSRX is known primarily for its snail mucin products, its pimple patches are one of its bestsellers.
Having used these patches in the past, I was excited to test out a fresh pack of them as I loved them so much on my first go.
Happily, these didn’t disappoint. They were great for targeting spots and have a transparent look, so they look invisible on.
They’re also comfortable to wear and I liked wearing the stickers to bed or when I would be working from home.
They are a bit fiddly at first as you can only apply them onto dry skin, so it’s best to wait until after your skincare products have been absorbed before putting them on.
My partner has acne-prone skin and enjoys using the pimple patches as they help prevent dirt from touching the spot and allow the skin to properly heal.
The patches were effective in reducing any redness and excess oil and definitely minimized the appearance of spots.
Plus, you can get up to 90 in a pack, which is excellent value for money.
Size: 36-90 pack Skin type: All How to Apply: Apply gently with the sticky side down. Leave on overnight
AHA / BHA Exfoliating Facial Treatment
Pros: Gentle on sensitive skin, effective, non-irritating, great value for money
Cons: Application needs more thought
Rating: 4/5
Having over-exfoliated my skin in the past, I was a bit hesitant about using this COSRX treatment.
The AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is an exfoliator wth an ingredient list that includes 0.1% glycolic acid (AHA) and 0.1% Betatine Salicylate (BHA), but since it's got a low concentration of both acids, it’s gentle to use even on sensitive skin.
I was surprised to discover that it didn’t irritate my skin and actually helped to clear my blackheads, particularly on my nose.
Over time, it helped to slog away dead skin cells, leaving my skin more radiant and when I layered the essence or an active ingredient on top of it, it didn’t sting.
The instructions state that you should spray the exfoliator on a cotton pad and then swipe the pad across the face.
However, I found it easier to spray the product directly onto on my face as the cotton pad wasted a lot of product, and I could target the exfoliator on areas of my face that needed it more, like my T-zone.
While you could use it every day, I prefer to use it once or twice a week as I don’t suffer from active breakouts, so that’s why it became my least used product of the ones I tested.
But if my skin breaks out, this will be the first product I’ll be reaching for.
Size: 150ml Skin type: All How to Apply: Spray on a cotton pad after cleansing than wipe over face, or spray directly onto the face
Retinol 0.5% Oil
Pro: Gentle beginner retinol, nourishing, reduces breakouts, good for sensitive skin
Cons: Takes a long time to see results, maybe too thick for oily skin types
Rating: 4 / 5
I love using retinol in my skincare routine as its anti-inflammatory properties really benefit my skin.
In the Corsx product, there is quite a low concentration of retinol, making it best for beginners as opposed to regular retinol users or those looking for a low dosage, but I love its formula.
More similar to an oil, it feels nourishing thanks to the blend of Vitamin E and Squalane and it didn’t dry my skin out.
It also pairs well when layered over the essence and under both thicker and lighter moisturisers. It has an earthy scent which isn’t too pleasant, but it does dissipate.
It’s too early to truly tell the difference as you need at least three to six months to see whether it’s made a real impact, but I’ve had fewer blemishes and redness since using it without having to go through purging.
Oiler skin types may prefer a retinol cream, but I now use this every evening as I love how soothing it feels.
Size: 20ml Skin type: All How to Apply: Apply in PM on cleansed skin, after essence and before moisturiser
COSRX snail mucin review: final verdict
After using COSRX for over a month, I’m a snail mucin convert. I’ve really noticed that both the essence and the cream helped to soothe a lot of redness that I experience from dry weather and also keep my skin hydrated.
Not to mention, it creates a glass-skin-like effect on your face that’s pretty perfect for glowy skin lovers.
While it’s not vegan, COSRX is cruelty-free, and a good option if you’ve been let down or have suffered from sensitivities to Hyaluronic Acid.
Most of the products I tried from COSRX are geared towards dryer skin, but I believe every skin type can benefit from them.
Particular highlights for me were the Advanced Snail Mucin Essence and the retinol; those two are going to become staples in my skincare routine.
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Where can I buy COSRX in the UK?
Originally from South Korea, COSRX is now available globally with plenty of beauty retailers stocking it in the UK. Here’s where you can shop the K-beauty brand.
How much does COSRX cost?
Cosrx has a range of products but it’s on the more affordable side of skincare, in line with the pricing of most high-street brands, and can be found in many drugstore shops.
The famous is typically priced at £21.99, but is currently on sale on Amazon for just £14. The priciest product tested was the which retails for £27, but is on sale on Amazon for £14.
The cheapest product was the , which is £10.99, and on sale for just £7.86.
From our reviews, we found that the products were generally quite good value for money and lasted a while thanks to generous sizing.
You can generally find most products from COSRX for around the £20 mark and under.