Slugging 2.0, Why Are We Sealing Snail Slime to Our Faces?
Super Slime or Slimey Scam?
By Danny, Founder of &SOM Skin
There's a new skincare trend crawling around the internet, and it's called Slugging 2.0. If you haven't seen it yet, brace yourself.
It starts with a snail mucin sheet mask literal snail slime. You apply it like any normal mask… but then you go one step further.
You cover it in a thick layer of Vaseline and sleep in it.
It's like a cross between a hydration treatment and a night at a haunted house.
What is snail mucin anyway?
Snail mucin or "snail secretion filtrate" if you want the fancy name is known for being rich in:
- Glycoproteins
- Hyaluronic acid
- Enzymes that support skin repair
It's the stuff snails naturally leave behind when they move. Believe it or not, it can help with:
- Moisture retention
- Smoothing fine lines
- Improving skin barrier function
So yeah, I'm not here to say snail mucin is completely nonsense it actually does have some legitimate skin benefits.
But here's the problem…
This new version of "slugging" involves putting a heavy occlusive usually petroleum jelly on top of the snail mucin sheet mask.
The theory is that it seals everything in, so the skin absorbs all the goodness overnight.
The reality?
This combo can backfire hard for some people, especially those with oily or acne-prone skin.
You're not just locking in moisture, you're locking in:
- Bacteria
- Sweat
- Dead skin cells
- Leftover SPF (if you haven't appropriately washed)
I've seen more than one person try this and wake up with a breakout that looked like it needed its own postcode.
Let's talk ethics — because we need to
Look, I'm a realist.
I know we use natural ingredients. I'm a fan of science-backed naturals. But there's a difference between natural and needlessly exploitative.
Snails are often placed on glass or mesh to extract mucin in dark, humid rooms. Some farms do it gently.
Others? Not so much.
Some suppliers literally stress the snails out to get more secretion.
So, if you're into cruelty-free skincare, you should really know where your snail mucin is coming from. Most brands will not tell you.
My honest opinion?
If you've got dry, resilient skin — maybe this works for you.
But for most people? Better ways to hydrate your skin without sleeping in grease and slime exist.
At &SOM, we focus on formulas that support the skin barrier without suffocating your pores or compromising your values.
Because skincare should never require a trauma response — from you or a snail.
Stay smart. Stay hydrated. And maybe keep the Vaseline out of your bedtime routine.
— Danny
