I’m no stranger to trying new things when it comes to skin care. In fact, before I was slathering jellyfish mucin on my face, I become a huge fan of using snail mucin. Since I got real results from the snail mucin, I was intrigued by whether jellyfish would perform the same, or maybe, even better.
With this thought in mind, I got to scouring the internet to find jellyfish mucin-infused skin care products. Unlike snail mucin, there weren’t quite as many options for me to choose from. But, I was able to get my hands on a serum and hydration pads from a Scandinavian skincare brand called Mantle, and on Amazon, I found a pack of Korean sheet masks laced with jellyfish extract.
If you’re wondering “Why jellyfish mucin?” you’re not alone. The ingredient is certainly unconventional, not to mention there are so many other skin care options available. When I asked board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, she pointed to the marine animal’s special hydrating abilities. “Jellyfish have a unique, water-retentive structure, their mucin is often explored for its moisture-binding properties,” she says.
For more on the impressive (and non-traditional) ingredient, we asked Dr. Gohara and Mantle’s formulator, Ulrika Ramberg, everything you need to know. Keep reading for their insight on jellyfish mucin skincare and my own personal experience using the products.
What is jellyfish mucin?
Jellyfish mucin, also referred to as qniumucin, is derived from the mucous jellyfish secrete. “Jellyfish mucin is a naturally occurring substance rich in glycoproteins, peptides, and amino acids,” says Dr. Gohara. Many of these properties likely sound familiar to you since they’re often found in skin care products, furthering the relation between jellyfish mucin as a skin care ingredient.
JMsolution Active Jellyfish Vital Mask
Amazon
What are the benefits of jellyfish mucin in skin care?
“In skin care, jellyfish mucin is thought to support hydration, strengthen the skin barrier, and potentially improve elasticity,” says Dr. Gohara. She breaks this down into three primary benefits:
- Enhance Hydration– The glycoproteins in jellyfish mucin may help the skin retain moisture, similar to how jellyfish themselves retain water.
- Support the skin barrier – Some researchers propose that its composition might reinforce the skin’s protective layer.
- Improve elasticity – Because of its collagen-like peptides, it has been suggested that jellyfish mucin could contribute to firmer-looking skin.
“Mucin’s primary function is to maintain hydration and provide lubricating and anti-adhesive properties between cells,” says Ramberg. “In skin care, jellyfish mucin increases the moisturising activity in the skin, protects epidermal cells by minimizing inflammation and reduces cellular damage induced from environmental stressors and provides skin with a boost of collagen.”
What’s the difference between jellyfish mucin and snail mucin?
Although they’ve both become buzzy skin care ingredients, there are some key differences between jellyfish mucin and snail mucin. “Snail mucin is a glycoprotein-rich secretion that protects and heals the snail’s skin,” explains Ramberg. “In contrast, jellyfish mucin consists mainly of type II collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which closely resemble components of human skin. The concentration of these two components is very high in jellyfish mucin but only present in small amounts in snail mucin.”
How is jellyfish mucin extracted from jellyfish?
Mantle sources its mucin through a regulation process called “jellyfish blooming.” These jellyfish are harvested from areas where there is a risk of overpopulation, which would disturb marine ecosystems. In these areas, jellyfish are used to supply the food and skin care industry. “The jellyfish used in the Hydra serum is of ‘food grade,’ meaning it is of the highest quality,” says Ramberg. “The jellyfish are frozen before they are dried and the mucin is extracted.”
How does jellyfish mucin compare to other hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (HA)?
“HA is well known for its ability to bind large amounts of water, acting as a powerful humectant,” says Dr. Gohara. “Jellyfish mucin is theorized to provide hydration while also delivering peptides that could contribute to skin elasticity.” So, they work slightly differently.
She adds an analogy to help explain the different modalities of the two hydrating ingredients. “HA is like a water magnet, while jellyfish mucin might act more like a hydrating cushion that also provides structural support.” However, further research is required to verify these effects.
My experience using jellyfish mucin skin care
As mentioned, it was definitely much harder to get my hands on jellyfish mucin products. Because of that, I wasn’t able to do as deep of a dive as I had with snail mucin, but I appreciated that more because it didn’t feel as overwhelming. The products fit seamlessly into my routine without having to overhaul it. Here are my key takeaways.
It’s a good hydrator
The hydration claims about jellyfish mucin proved accurate. I started using Mantle The Hydra Serum and loved the way it felt on my skin. It’s lightweight, but not sticky at all, which some hydrating serums (especially with hyaluronic acid) can be. And even better, Mantle claims that jellyfish mucin has the “ability to bind water in the skin three times more effectively than hyaluronic acid,” so I’m sold.
I do have to point out that the dropper was a little challenging to use as the serum is a bit thick, but once it’s on skin, it absorbs well. I love wearing it under a lightweight moisturizer (I’ve been using Dieux Air Angel Gel Cream and they pair perfectly together) for optimal hydration. While The Hydra Serum doesn’t leave a dewy or visible finish, it’s more about the way it makes my skin feel, which is smooth and hydrated.
Mantle The Hydra Serum
mantleskin.com
The JMsolution Active Jellyfish Vital Mask was another deeply hydrating formula in the form of a sheet mask. I found these on Amazon, so don’t know anything about the brand, but there are thousands of reviews and they tout sales of over 2 billion sheets, so it’s certainly not an undiscovered product. I’m not really into sheet masks, but did wear these a few nights during my evening binge-watch sessions.
While I certainly felt the hydration boost–it’s hard not to, the mask is filled with so much goopy essence–this certainly wasn’t my favorite way to use jellyfish mucin. The mask and the sachet were so overloaded with product that it was difficult to unfold and apply to my face. Another thing I noticed immediately was the added fragrance, which wasn’t terrible, but definitely not preferred.
As the packaging instructed, I left it on for 20 minutes, then rubbed the extra essence into my skin. However, I felt like the essence was just sitting on top rather than absorbing, so I wound up washing it off. Was my skin super smooth after? Yes. Am I rushing to go through what’s left of the ten sheet masks? Not so much.
It pairs well with other active ingredients
I’m a loyal devotee to my Barefaced Glow Peel Pads which are total rockstars for deep exfoliation once a week, so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about incorporating Mantle The Hydra Pads into my routine. However, I quickly loved them since they serve a different purpose than my trusty Barefaced Glow pads. Mantle’s pads are great for boosting hydration while mildly exfoliating, making them gentle enough for daily use.
Similarly to The Hydra Serum, the pads feature Mantle’s mPelagic2TM Complex which pairs jellyfish mucin with deep sea arctic algae and lactobionic acid (for gentle exfoliation) and mint for a cooling cryogenic effect. It promises to leave your skin feeling clean, radiant, and refreshed.
The cooling effect was one of my favorite takeaways. The pads are easy to swipe and feel refreshing—because of that, they’ve found a home in my morning routine. I only wash my face with water when I wake up, but now I’ve started using these pads to clear my skin of any oil or dirt that may have accumulated overnight. I do find that my skin has been more balanced and the cooling feeling in the morning is a pick-me-up that I now look forward to ahead of starting my day.
If you have sensitive skin–especially if you don’t already have an exfoliation regimen in place–I would ease into using these. Start with a few times a week, then work your way up to every other night and see how your skin responds.
The Hydra Pads
Mantle
I’m going to stick with it
As someone who dislikes using hyaluronic acid serums (due to its stickiness and inadequate hydration) I found jellyfish mucin to be a great alternative and will continue using it in my routine. Proving Mantle’s claims, I’ve found that jellyfish mucin is even more effective at binding water than hyaluronic acid, leaving my skin deeply hydrated and smooth.
Best of all, the products fit right in with my regular skincare routine. After using jellyfish mucin myself and learning about its impressive ability to hydrate, repair the skin barrier, and boost elasticity, I believe more brands will soon be incorporating it into their products.
Lisa DeSantis is a freelance writer and has contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Health, Real Simple, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Motherly, Well & Good, and more.
The post I Used Jellyfish Mucin on My Face for Two Weeks—Here’s How My Skin Responded appeared first on Glamour.
