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SHOULD YOU BELIEVE IN THE BENEFITS OF SNAIL SLIME IN COSMETICS?
The first traces of the use of snail slime for medicinal and cosmetic purposes date back to antiquity. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, recommended the use of snail slime to treat wounds and inflammations of the skin. (Garcia, 1999)[1]
This brief historical reminder of the therapeutic use of snail slime shows that beyond empirical preparations based on snail, real scientific work has been carried out on the pharmacological actions of snail slime and a a large number of biological and therapeutic properties have been demonstrated.
It has even been shown that the active substances present in the mucus of snails make it a unique natural product that cannot be reproduced in the laboratory with synthetic chemical compounds. (Trapella et al., 2018)[2]
Thanks to over 10 years of research and innovation, Mademoiselle Agathe has created Helicitherapy.
To date, we have carried out around ten scientific studies with the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, the University of Rouen, and other research laboratories, which have allowed us to identify more than one hundred proteins, peptides, vitamins, and other natural antibiotics in our snail slime extract. (Marie A et Al. 2019)
Properties demonstrated by scientific literature.
Furthermore, we are not the only ones to have taken a close interest in *Helix aspersa* mucus. Numerous studies conducted worldwide have highlighted its potential in the cosmetic and health fields, due to its various scientifically documented biological and pharmacological properties. (Iguchi et al. 1982; Shah et al. 2012; Zizioli et al. 2022).
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Adikwu et al. 2008; El Mubarak et al., 2013; Liudmyla et al., 2022
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Gentili et al. 2020; Truchuelo et al. 2020
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Arora, 2021; Cristiano et al. 2022; Liudmyla et al. 2022; Laneri et al. 2019; Tsakanova et al. 2021
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Dwek M.V et al. 2001 ; Noothuan N. et al. 2021 ; Ulagesan et al. 2018 ; Zhong et al. 2013 ; Pitt et al. 2015
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Gugliandolo, Macri et al. 2021; Naruke et al. 2021; Nakajima et al. 2014
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Greistorfer et al 2017; Pitt S.J. et al. 2015; Tsoutsos et al. 2009
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Gugliandolo et al. 2021; Olczyk et al. 2014
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Cristiano et al. 2022
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8 essential snail slime actions that transform your skin.
What scientific literature tells us is that to produce their effects in the body at the skin level, the different active molecules present in snail slime act in synergy.
1- It improves skin elasticity and hydration
Snail mucus has exfoliating and regenerating properties due to the glycolic acid contained in its mucus. It helps to eliminate dead skin cells, and thus helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The presence of mucopolysaccharide allows for considerable hydrogen bonds with adjacent water molecules, leading to effective hydration of surrounding tissues. Furthermore, it stimulates hyaluronate synthesis, resulting in increased water retention capacity and skin viscoelasticity (Gentili et al. 2020). When using a snail slime cream on the skin, peptides are absorbed into the deeper layers where they can interact with fibroblasts. Peptides bind to specific receptors on the surface of fibroblasts, triggering a cascade of events that ultimately lead to increased collagen production (Adikwu et al. 2008; Truchuelo et al. 2020).
2- It reduces wrinkles and fine lines
By improving skin hydration and elasticity, snail slime, through the synergy of its many bioactive molecules, including glycolic acid, hemocyanin, actin, allantoin, elastin, and collagen, helps to reduce wrinkles, stretch marks (Arora, 2021; Cristiano et al. 2022; Liudmyla et al. 2022), signs of skin photoaging, and damage caused by free radicals (Laneri et al. 2019; Tsakanova et al. 2021). The mucus also offers antioxidant activities; the antioxidants in mucus are substances that can protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals or reactive oxygen species. These molecules (SOD & GST) act as antioxidants and protect cellular components from oxidation by reactive oxygen species (Cristiano et al. 2022; Truchuelo et al. 2020).
View moisturizing treatments - normal or combination skin
3- It increases collagen and elastin production
As we age, collagen production slows down, which inevitably leads to wrinkles, sagging skin structure, and other signs of aging. Snail slime proteins applied to the skin are absorbed into the deeper layers where they can interact with fibroblasts. The mucus extract then stimulates cell renewal by increasing the production of type 1 and type 3 collagen and elastin. This will slow down the signs of aging, improve skin texture and appearance. (Adikwu et al. 2008).
4- It acts as an anti-pollution barrier
The presence of mucopolysaccharides, according to a 2020 study by Gentili, acts as a barrier to prevent epithelial cells from being damaged by pollution. The presence of polyphenols could give mucus the ability to prevent and counteract pollution-induced oxidative skin damage. Snail slime acts as an anti-pollution barrier to prevent premature skin aging. In the same study, the authors also argue that the topical use of mucus is a very good natural anti-pollution technology to prevent premature skin aging. (Gentili et al. 2020)
5- It stimulates the repair and regeneration of the skin
The keratolytic effect is based on the ability of bioactive molecules in the mucus to penetrate the epidermis, dissolve intercellular bonds, and facilitate the exfoliation of dead skin cells. All metabolites in snail slime trigger a cascade of events to stimulate regeneration and produce new cells. By stimulating cell renewal, this increases the production of collagen and elastin, which improves skin texture and appearance (Adikwu et al. 2008). To produce its regenerative effects on the skin, mucus increases the migration and expression of cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion molecules in fibroblasts and keratinocyte cells (Liudmyla et al., 2022). Thanks to these characteristics, mucus extracted from Helix aspersa Muller has been successfully used as a re-epithelialization treatment in the management of burns in adult patients (Tsoutsos et al. 2009)
View anti-aging skincare - mature or dry skin
6- It is antimicrobial and bacteriostatic
Several independent studies have shown the ability of snail extracts to act as immunostimulants and to possess antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. (Dwek M.V et al. 2001; Noothuan N. et al. 2021; Ulagesan et al. 2018) The presence of antimicrobial activity in snail mucus was reported as early as the 1980s. (Zhong et al. 2013) In 2015, scientists Pitt S.J. and collaborators reported in a preclinical study published in the British Journal of Biomedical Science the antimicrobial properties of mucus on several types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, as well as on certain antibiotic-resistant strains. The antibacterial properties of the mucus are not attributed to a single peptide, but rather to a combination of several peptides. The "bacteriostatic" effect that we demonstrated with the University of Rouen is ideal for improving acne-prone skin, as a stronger "bactericidal" action would lead to the loss of good bacteria also present on the skin.
See purifying skincare products - oily or acne-prone skin
7- It boosts healing mechanisms
Wound healing is a physiological process comprising several coordinated phases, such as inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Normally, the result of these well-coordinated sequential phases is complete wound healing with the restoration of a normal skin structure. However, in the presence of various pathological factors, such as an underlying disease state or infection, the wound may become chronic. The efficacy of snail slime in wound healing has been proven both in vitro and by clinical studies. Snail mucus accelerates wound healing by inducing fibroblast migration and improving the expression of wound-healing-related genes. Snail mucus further regulates a family of proteins called metalloproteinases (MMPs) which play a key role at all stages of the healing process by modifying the wound matrix. (Gugliandolo et al. 2021; Olczyk et al. 2014)
8- It enhances the skin's anti-inflammatory activity
In recent years, studies have shown that the slime secreted by the snail Helix aspersa Muller has strong anti-inflammatory activity (Gugliandolo, Macri et al. 2021; Gugliandolo, Cordaro et al. 2021). Snail slime is able to act as an antiallergic agent by significantly inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (Naruke et al. 2021). Studies also demonstrate that mucus attenuates the development of skin inflammation (Nakajima et al. 2014). Snail mucus exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through various mechanisms. The combined action of different anti-inflammatory molecules contained in snail slime: Actin, Allantoin, peptides, enzymes, glycoproteins, and amino acids. Antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids neutralize free radicals that damage skin cells and trigger inflammation. Polysaccharides retain water and hydrate the skin, which helps reduce inflammation by preventing the skin from drying out. (Messina et al. 2022)
See restorative care - atopic or fragile skin
In conclusion, Helicitherapy operates thanks to the synergy of all the molecules present in snail slime. Despite the predominantly aqueous composition of mucus, all this scientific research confirms that it is precisely the harmonious interactions between proteins and secondary metabolites that give snail slime extract its broad spectrum of cosmetic activity. Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of this unique synergy and give your skin the radiance it deserves with our treatments. It's not magic, it's helicotherapy!
Source :
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