Emily Ratajkowski uses this $21 snail serum to fight wrinkles

Emily Ratajkowski's skincare routine (opens in new tab) has taken a strange turn. Normally the epitome of glamour, she has admitted to using snail slime (yes, you read that right) to fix her 'freaked out' isolation skin (opens in new tab).

When faced with breakouts, most skincare obsessives would revamp their routine to perhaps include salicylic acid or niacinamide (opens in new tab).  Emily (opens in new tab) has plumped for a less conventional route: snail mucin. 

The star's product of choice? Cosrx Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essence (opens in new tab), which contains 96% Snail Secretion Filtrate to hydrate dry skin (opens in new tab), smooth wrinkles and take down inflammation.

Also known as snail slime, snail mucin is one of the buzziest new ingredients in the skincare world.  You probably won't be surprised to learn that snail mucin originated from Korea, where it has long been a staple in skincare regimes. 

And once you get over the idea that this is the gooey trail snails leave in their wake, you can appreciate the impressive benefits.

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Cosrx Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essence, $21 (opens in new tab) [£24, Lookfantastic (opens in new tab)]

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What is snail mucin?

Simply put, snail mucin is the excretion from a snail, which is why it appears on ingredient labels as snail secretion filtrate, or SSF. Snail mucin is naturally created and used by snails as way to protect themselves. As such, it's packed with skin-friendly vitamins, growth factors and even collagen-boosting glycolic acid to deeply hydrate and improve the look of fine lines. Not to mention, allantoin, to help calm irritation. 

Also worth noting: snails are not harmed in the collection of snail mucin for skincare purposes. Phew.