Tag: snail

The renewal of the Rich Snail Mask: what’s changed?

You’ve loved our Deep Moisturizing Rich Snail Mask. We’ve loved our Deep Moisturizing Rich Snail Mask. And while the saying goes “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it,” we felt it was the right time to update our favorite baby, so it better aligns with our current brand philosophy and values.

Today, we’re spilling all the tea there’s to know about the revamping of the snail mask. Everything from formula to packaging got a handsome upgrade while remaining the mask that all of us know and love. Keep on reading to learn more!

  1. The Fragrance.

First, let’s talk about the formula. We wanted our new formula to reflect MOTHER MADE’s core principles, which is clean and safe skincare that everyone, even the most sensitive skin types, can enjoy using worry-free. And that meant we had to solve one big problem – the fragrance.

In the past, using natural fragrances like blends of various essential oils that can adequately cover any unpleasant base odor, but also are beneficial to the skin, worked well for us. Sadly, though, a lot of essential oils are classified as allergens, which makes them unsuitable for people with allergy-prone and sensitive skin. With essential oils out of the equation, we turned our gaze to the world of synthetic fragrances. One thing to note about these types of fragrance is that “synthetic” doesn’t immediately translate to “bad” or “harmful.” Beauty science has come a long way, and we now have allergen-free synthetic fragrances that are safer than many natural alternatives (read, essential oils). Admittedly, the choices are still limited, and while the absence of any allergy inducing parts is excellent, the smell is a work in progress. As the “synthetic” moniker in the name implies, the scent is, well, synthetic.

We requested several samples from the lab, hoping it won’t come off as strong when mixed with the natural smell of other ingredients in the formula. But each sample proved us wrong. It didn’t feel (or smell) like our snail mask.

Fragrance samples

The conclusion? We bit the bullet and chose not adding any scent at all. The mask still has a faint smell that comes from the base formula and other ingredients, but it’s barely noticeable and doesn’t linger.

  1. The Snail Filtrate.

Previously, the mask featured 5,000 ppm, which is a pretty standard amount (if not on a higher side) for sheet masks. But our renewed formula boasts a whopping 10,000 ppm. Double “yes” for a double snail mucin goodness!

To put these numbers in perspective, more budget-friendly brands choose to add as little as 1-2,000 ppm while some might go as high as 7,000 ppm. Generally speaking, 5,000 ppm is considered pretty high, and finding sheet masks with even higher concentration is rare. Why? Snail filtrate has a natural texture that is far from ideal for a sheet mask essence – it’s thick, gloopy, and extremely sticky. The essence/serum for a sheet mask, however, must have a watery enough consistency so that the sheet can be fully saturated. That is why snail filtrate has to be diluted quite a bit to become “sheet mask friendly.”

That isn’t, however, to say that since snail mucin in the sheet mask has lower concentration, it isn’t effective. The smaller amount of filtrate is compensated by the fact that sheet masks adhere closely to the skin, making sure ingredients in the mask get absorbed better.

Still, we wanted to see how far we can push to create a really “rich” (snail-rich, that is) product. Our partnering labs worked hard to come up with a formula that is more concentrated and more effective, yet feels light and non-sticky on the skin. It took us more than six months to settle on a final formula, but the wait was well worth it, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.

  1. The Packaging.
Responsibly-produced packaging

The third and final major update in the mask is our packaging. We’ve been slowly transitioning to more sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options for months now. That’s why we were so thrilled when we discovered a packaging paper that doesn’t use virgin wood. You can see on the picture below a label that guarantees just that. FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, and it’s a non-profit organization that provides solutions for sustainable management of forests. FSC Mix is an official FSC label that means wood that was used to produce this paper comes from a mix of sources: recycled materials, FSC-certified forests, and a so-called “controlled wood,” which is a type of forests that can’t be harvested illegally. Deforestation is a huge worldwide issue, and we were so happy we could minimize our impact by choosing paper that doesn’t deplete the resources of virgin wood.

And there you have it! Three significant upgrades that make us (and hopefully you too) about the revamped Rich Snail Mask.

The mask will become available on Amazon.com and our website from November 27. Follow us on Instagram (@mothermade_global), where we’ll be sharing more info about these masks and other upcoming products.

With love,

MOTHER MADE xxx

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INGREDIENT SERIES: Snail Secretion Filtrate

snail

A quick and concise guide on why we love snail mucin and you should, too.

As a brand that sings praises to versatile ingredients that make life easier and skin healthier, we love snail mucin dearly. From providing a boost of hydration and filling wrinkles, to fading dark spots and healing sunburns, it seems like there is nothing snail mucin can’t do. It’s also a compliant team player. You can safely pair with any other ingredients in your routine and be assured it won’t give you any unexpected surprises.

Sounds rather magical, isn’t it?

But there is a simple explanation for why so many people swear by snail products as their anti-aging holy grail. It has to do with the chemical composition of the mucus. Read alone for the scoop!  

Snail mucin is in and of itself is an animal-derived growth factor. Growth factors are natural proteins that signal skin cells that some housekeeping – such as repairing broken skin – is due. This wound-healing property is what initially made the “icky” ingredient famous, but if we look at a more detailed chemical breakdown, it will show that snail mucin can do so much more than just tissue repair.

So, what’s in snail mucin?

  • Allantoin –  a soothing moisturizer that can also treat, prevent and reduce scarring.
  • Glycolic Acid – a type of AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) that works as a chemical exfoliant and has well-documented anti-aging benefits. Skincare community praises glycolic acid for its ability to improve skin texture, smooth stubborn wrinkles making the skin thicker and bouncier overall.
  • Hyaluronic Acid – does it need any introduction? Hyaluronic acid is uber-famous for its water-binding properties. It’s an excellent humectant that draws moisture from the environment into the skin and with that prevents trans-epidermal water loss.
  • Glycosaminoglycans – sugar-based molecules that maintain healthy collagen and elastin levels. They also help the skin to retain moisture better to keep that supple, hydrated look and feel longer.
  • Copper peptides – aptly named as a “natural botox,” this family of peptides are known for their ability to make the skin more firm and plump. They also promote faster skin healing while improving the overall texture of the skin.
  • Last but not least, Natural Anti-bacterials – as the name suggests, these substances are meant to destroy bacteria and prevent them from growing and multiplying.

That’s an impressive list you’d typically find in tried-and-tested anti-aging products. This makes snail mucin a natural age-defying ingredient that can treat the skin suffering from extreme dehydration and dryness, loss of firmness, elasticity, and wrinkles. It can also help to fade away dark spots and hyper-pigmentation. Some even suggest that snail mucin goes further than just a cosmetic spot treatment and is capable of repairing sun-damaged skin on the cellular level.

The main question is – is it as effective as more conventional anti-aging treatments like retinol creams and products with a high concentration of glycolic acid? The answer is, as always, it depends. While retinoids and glycolic acid have a long trail of clinical studies to support its efficacy, they are also infamous for being very harsh and irritating. To the point of making it a persona non grata in the skincare regimen of those with sensitive skin types. Snail products then become a milder, safer alternative without unpleasant side-effects. Some dermatologists even recommend it over potent actives because it minimizes the risk of allergic reactions, doesn’t cause dryness and is easy to incorporate into anyone’s skincare routine. Snail products are also an excellent entry-level option for those who are just starting their anti-aging game and simply don’t want anything too sensitizing.

But it is precisely the gentle and non-irritating nature of snail mucin that makes it more of a long-term ingredient rather than an overnight fix. Yes, you will notice the instant glow and feel the boost of hydration, but to really reap those long-term sustainable anti-aging benefits you should give it some time. Apply it diligently, mix with other nourishing products and one day you will look in the mirror and be surprised how much younger, firmer and bouncier your skin looks.