Emily Ratajkowski uses this $21 snail serum to fight wrinkles

Emily Ratajkowski's skincare routine 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.

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

The star's product of choice? Cosrx Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essence, which contains 96% Snail Secretion Filtrate to hydrate dry skin, 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.

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.