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I admit I never tried anything containing snail mucin – or snail secretion filtrate, as it is correctly called, so I won’t be able to tell you if the Vegreen Vegan Mucin Toner and Serum, presented as a vegan alternative to popular things like the CosRX Advanced Snail Mucin Power Essence do live up to the original.
But judging from the growing number of people concerned with using vegan skincare, I figured it might be interesting to see how they perform anyway – maybe someone in the comments who has tried both wants to add the direct comparison?
So without further ado, let’s talk about why anyone would use snail mucin in the first place, what the Vegreen Vegan Mucin Toner and Serum claim to do, how they actually work and if they get my seal of approval despite the annoying focus on clean beauty that is used all over their marketing.
Why Snail Mucin?
Now if you want me to do a separate “Ingredient Spotlight” Snail Mucin and its benefits in skincare, just tell me (Here it is: The benefits of snail mucin in skincare explained), but in short: Snail Secretion Filtrate is the liquid snails release when they are under stress, and it contains high levels of hyaluronic acid for hydration, but also things that increase wound healing like growth factors, peptides, small doses of glycolic acid and things that soothe the skin like Allantoin. (More info: All the benefits of Hyaluronic Acid in your skin)
Due to the fact that it is released “under stress”, the harvesting isn’t always done in an animal friendly way, although it seems to be possible to get it without electricity or other forms of snail torture – at least that is was more reputable brands claim. If you have more insight into this, please share them in the comments.
Now you know I am a fan of lab-made stuff, so if I want Hyaluronic Acid, peptides, Allantoin or glycolic acid, I usually reach for a product that has a defined concentration of that rather than a natural blend that will for obvious reasons very much NOT have defined percentages. But for those of you that feel different there, snail secretion filtrate does offer a lot of good stuff! (More info: Everything you need to know about peptides in skincare)
What the Vegreen Nature Mucin Serum claims
It contains 63% mucin from wild yam extract that restores tired skin and improves skin vitality. Panthenol provides deep moisturizing, and skin barrier strengthening ceramide helps firm and keep your skin off from stress.
The corresponding Alcohol-Free toner has no special claims other than that it contains 66% wild yam extract.
Facts about the Vegreen products
Prize and size
The Vegreen products are kind of hard to get. You can find them on Amazon, in select K-Beauty stores and on their own website, and the prices will vary depending where you get them from. The toner contains 200 ml and is sold for around 20$ here, the serum contains 50 ml and is available for around 18 $ here.
Texture and smell of the Vegreen Nature Mucin products
Both are clear, have no real scent to them, maybe a faint hint of earthiness, and both feel rather thick. I mean thick in a good way, they are not watery, but more substantial in touch while still being easy to spread.
How to use the Vegreen Alcohol-Free Nature Mucin Toner and Serum?
Both can be used morning and night, layer well with other products and offer hydration without heaviness. As the serum has copper peptides in the ingredient list, you might be careful when pairing it with Tretinoin, as that is something that some brands advise against. (More info: Copper peptides)
I usually pour some of the toner in the palm of my hand and then pat it on my face, followed by 2 pumps of the serum for my face and neck.
Ingredients of the Vegreen Alcohol-Free Nature Mucin Toner
Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Now the most important thing first: I have found no information if wild yam extract offers the exact same benefits as snail secretion filtrate does. It is supposed to – caution, that is word of mouth, not multiple studies here! – have antioxidants and antiinflammatory properties as well as a substance called Diosgenin that protects collagen (whatever that is supposed to mean).
Other than that the toner offers different humectants and Panthenol for soothing.
Ingredients of the Vegreen Nature Mucin Serum
Hover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
Again Wild Yam Extract, but this time paired with humectants, Niacinamide, Panthenol, a bunch of peptides, one copper peptide and Ceramide NP. As it is often the case, the serum offers more punch than the toner in terms of beneficial ingredients, and I have to say that I quite like the Niacinamide/ Panthenol combo. (More info: The benefits of Niacinamide explained)
Do they live up to their claims?
Yes, although I am not entirely sure what “restores tried skin and improves skin vitality” is supposed to mean – I really hope my skin stays vital without the help of these products.
But my skin feels well hydrated and calm after using it and especially with the serum I would imagine that it helps against the signs of premature aging.
How do they compare to…
the Purito Centella Unscented Toner and Serum
I hope you forgive that this comparison is made mainly because Purito is the K-Beauty brand I am most familiar with and only in small parts because both toner and serum feel similar in terms of texture. I mean, I am not sure if you can actually compare a Centella Asiatica based product and a Wild Yam Extract one, but here we go. As I said, the texture is similar in both, with the Vergreen products being a little firmer in direct comparison. Vegreens Serum can be felt longer on the skin than the Purito one, and feels more hydrating by a fraction, and Vegreen has the added copper peptide while Purito has Green Tea Extract in the ingredients.
So while when comparing the two serums, I actually like the Vegreen one a little more, but when it comes to toners both are equal in how much I enjoy them.
You can read my full review of the Purito Centella Unscented Toner here.
You can read my full review of the Purito Centella Unscented Serum here.
Would I repurchase?
Probably not, because they really are hard to get for me here in Germany.
Whom do I recommend them to?
I think these products are suitable for all skin types and especially good for those that are sensitive to fragrance.
If you want to get a vote in the next Ask Doctor Anne Topic, Ingredient Spotlight or product I review, don’t forget you can head over to my Patreon account to get more involved!