I promise you aren’t losing your mind, this famous Korean essence uses the main ingredient of snail secretion to effectively hydrate and calm the skin (rest assured, there are no actual live snails in the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence). It may seem like a wild concept, but snail secretion is a proven ingredient in most Korean skincare products due to its ability to calm and protect stressed skin and keep it hydrated for longer. For your Korean skincare routine, an essence is an essential part to hydrating and locking in the moisture before you move on to your serums and moisturisers. What are the key benefits of using the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence? Hydrating and watery formula Imparts a natural glow to the skin Can improve the appearance of scarring Helps soothe and repair sensitive skin Promotes collagen production Can repair and protect skin barrier Suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin types What is Snail Mucin? Snail Mucin is a snail secretion filtrate that is quite literally extracted from snails. Snail Mucin is naturally created and used by snails as a way for them to protect themselves, and therefore help to protect your skin barrier. What is an Essence? No 10-step Korean skincare routine is complete without an essence - essentially it’s a lightweight and highly absorbent watery fluid that’s designed to go on after your toner but before your serums and moisturisers. Its purpose? To prime the skin for the next step of your routine and to soothe and hydrate.  How do I use the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence? After cleansing and toning step, dispense essence onto the palm of hands and gently massage onto face. Pat gently to aid absorption.