Se rendre au contenu

Snail Shells

Snail shell

Mineral active — the remineralising ingredient that helps care for the skin and preserve its softness

Common name: Snail shell

INCI name: Helix Aspersa Shell Powder

Where it comes from

Snail shell is of animal and mineral origin. It is the hard part that naturally protects the snail and is mainly composed of calcium carbonate, combined with a small amount of organic matter.

For cosmetic use, the shells are cleaned, dried and then turned into a powder whose fineness can vary according to the intended use.

This material can then be used in certain formulations, notably exfoliating treatments or products containing mineral powders.

How does it work on the skin?

Picture the surface of the skin as a floor on which small dead cells naturally build up over time.

When these cells remain on the surface, the skin can look duller, rougher and less soft to the touch.

When it is fine enough and correctly incorporated into a formula, snail shell powder can have a mechanical exfoliating action. Its small particles gently come into contact with the skin's surface and help loosen some of the dead cells.

It is comparable to a very gentle eraser that helps remove what has built up on the surface, without seeking to change the skin in depth.

After exfoliation, the skin's surface can look smoother, cleaner and softer. The skin can also look more radiant, since the dead cells that gave it a dull appearance have been removed.

As the shell is mainly made of calcium carbonate, it also brings a mineral material to the formulation. However, its main cosmetic value depends above all on the form, the fineness of the particles and the way it is used in the product.

A powder that is too coarse, or exfoliation that is too frequent, can on the contrary be uncomfortable for the skin. This is why the quality of the preparation and the formulation of the product are essential.


Which skin types?

Snail shell powder is particularly suited to:

  • Dull skin : helps remove the dead cells that can make the skin look less radiant.
  • Rough skin : its mechanical exfoliating action helps make the skin's surface softer and smoother.
  • Thick skin : can be valuable in exfoliating care for certain areas of the body where dead cells tend to build up more.
  • Normal skin : can be used occasionally in an exfoliating treatment to keep the skin's surface soft.
  • Skin lacking softness : helps remove dead cells to improve how the skin feels to the touch.
  • Skin with dry areas on the surface : can support an exfoliating treatment meant to clear dead cells from the surface and improve the look of the skin.

It is particularly suited to exfoliating body care, notably for areas such as elbows, knees, feet or hands, depending on the formulation.

For the face, it must be used with greater caution: a powder that is too abrasive, or use that is too frequent, can irritate some skin, particularly sensitive skin.

At CHEM BIODERM

We value snail shell for its natural origin and its mineral richness, as well as for its value in exfoliating care.

Built into a suitable formulation, it provides an action of cleansing the skin's surface and exfoliation, to help the skin gradually regain a feeling of softness and a smoother look.

At CHEM BIODERM, it is therefore part of an approach that combines exfoliating effectiveness with respect for the skin's comfort, with use tailored to the needs of each area.


Browse our ingredient glossary here.