The Nigerian beauty industry has done it again! After lots of digging and research, I found the perfect substitute to the Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence or COSRX Snail Mucin Essence for short, which seemingly has your favourite beauty bloggers in a choke hold. If you are an oily or combination skin girl living in a humid region like myself, then you’d want to consider giving the Hidirose Ultra Hydrating Serum with Snail Mucin and Hyaluronic acid a try.
Information on the importance of hydrating your skin has become increasingly popular. “Your skin gets thirsty too”, seems to be the slogan for every beauty article and it is true. However contrary to popular belief, hydrating and moisturizing your skin are two very different things in the world of skincare, along with the awareness of the need to hydrate your skin came the popularization of now mainstream miracle hydrating ingredient, ‘Snail Mucin’, a best kept beauty secret which originated from South Korea.
In my current journey on the road to healthy skin, my quest for a hydrating product to give my skin that glazed donut look led me to discover K beauty brand, Cosrx and their snail mucin product that everyone and their esthetician has been raving about. I secured a bottle, gave it a try and although I had some satisfactory results, I noticed a few cons about this product that not many people talked about. I decided to keep searching for a better substitute, which is how I found Nigerian beauty brand Hidirose’s Ultra Hydrating Serum with Snail Mucin and Hyaluronic Acid as its key ingredients. Of course, I had to try it out and believe me when I say it did not disappoint!
Here’s my experience using both brands as an oily skin girl and my personal recommendation after having used both brands.
But First…What is Snail Mucin?
Snail mucin also known as snail slime (pretty weird right?) is the external bodily secretion produced by snails and has become a highly acclaimed skincare ingredient popularized by the Korean beauty industry. It is known to be a great hydrator for the skin. Snail mucin has been said by experts to help improve skin texture, tone, hyperpigmentation and overall, helps to protect the skin barrier and boosts collagen products. Although not a lot of research has been put forward towards this ingredient, it is loved by many and has been tagged as one of the best hydrating ingredients perfect for all skin types with the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence crowned as the mother of all. My question however is this, ‘Is it really the best there is? Let’s find out.
First Impressions And Product Reviews
Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence: I had no idea what to expect when I first got the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence, but I did not see the slimy texture coming at all. My first time incorporating it into my skincare routine was at night time and my skin felt its calming effects instantly and looked visibly hydrated the following morning.
I have sensitive oily skin and I will say that the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence is perfect for sensitive skin, but not so much for oily skin from my experience. I noticed after incorporating it into my daytime skincare routine that it made my skin significantly more oily during the day which is a major con for me. As someone who does not wear makeup everyday, I can’t imagine how my skin would have looked and felt if I had applied makeup while wearing the product. With that being said, I will say the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence really helped calm and soothe my skin and it provided me with immediate relief when my skin was inflamed from using a really harsh astringent. It’s a great product but I just cannot see past the fact that it made my skin look extra shiny by mid-day which is not the “glazed donut” look I was hoping to achieve. I would not recommend using this product during the day if you have oily/combination skin but it would definitely get the job done at night time.
Hidirose Ultra Hydrating Serum: My first impression from using this product was so satisfying! I was expecting it to have a normal serum texture but it indeed had the slimy texture similar to the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence which I have oddly come to love. We cannot skip over the fact that the Hidirose Ultra Hydrating Serum also contains Hyaluronic Acid, which is an amazing hydrating ingredient that helps the skin retain moisture giving it that plump effect, while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This is another factor which makes this product perfect for all ages and skin types.
I started this product off by adding it to my night time skincare routine before moisturizing and my skin instantly felt hydrated and supple. I woke up the next morning with my skin looking plump and it had a healthy look and feel to it. I was shocked to say the least and decided to try it out during the daytime just to be extra sure, and it did not make my skin oily at all! This serum is very hydrating but at the same time has a lightweight feel on the skin which I am sure my oily/combination skin girls will love and appreciate because it really is perfect for all skin types.
It is the perfect hydrating product if you live in warmer/humid climates like we have in Nigeria. People of color tend to have oily skin so this truly is one of the best hydrators for your melanated skin. In addition, it’s made by people with melanated skin who genuinely understand what it means and feels like to have one! Due to the serum being lightweight and gentle without it being overbearing, it is perfect to layer it with your other serums such as Vitamin C, Niacinamide and so on. A little goes a long way with this product, so three to four drops is usually enough for both my face and neck.
The Editor’s Recommendation
Although the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence is a crowd favourite, I have to say the Hidirose Ultra Hydrating Serum is the real deal for me. I believe the Cosrx Snail Mucin Essence is perfect for dry skin in colder regions but it is no match for this Lagos heat. The Ultra Hydrating Serum will be your best friend if you have oily/combination skin and are trying to achieve that plump healthy skin look. If you’re feeling extra and would like an additional burst of hydration, I would recommend using a liquid toner specifically for hydrating your skin before applying the Hidirose Ultra Hydrating Serum. However, don’t forget to moisturize afterwards and you’ll wake up in the morning feeling like you just got back from a spa appointment. Trust me, your skin will love it!
Shop for the Hidirose Ultra Hydrating Serum With Snail Mucin And Hyaluronic Acid Here!
Thanks for the review.