Love COSRX's Snail Mucin? Check Out These 8 Alternatives

Interestingly, the first alternative is from COSRX itself, which is the Galactomyces 95 balancing essence that claims to fix dullness, rough skin, and dark spots, while promoting hydration, recovering and moisturising the skin. What I love the most about this product is how it claims to do the same things as the snail mucin, but instead with Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate (which is a yeast derivative) and Niacinamide. 

Features: Even out dull skin, improves firmness, provides anti-ageing benefits

Key Ingredients: 95% Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate, 2% Niacinamide

If you are looking for a product that is loaded with anti-ageing benefits, Beauty Of Joseon's Ginseng Essence Water is the one to cart. It's a watery toner that is made with 80% ginseng root water and berry extracts, along with root ferment. Furthermore, 2% niacinamide will act as an armour, protecting your skin from oil, fighting breakouts, and easing irritation, if any.

Features: Reduces inflammation, brightens skin, makes skin more youthful

Key Ingredients: Ginseng root water 80% + Ginseng complex, Niacinamide 2%

Pro-Tip: 10 Best Face Toners

As a brand, belif's products are inspired by nineteenth-century apothecary techniques, creating a unique range of products that follow Korea's intricate skin care regimen. When it comes to the Numero 10 essence, it claims to help with immediate hydration as well as prep the skin to better absorb the next product, be it a serum or a moisturiser. The formula is packed with the herb rose of Jericho, while the essence locks up moisture, increasing skin hydration levels. 

Features: Retain skin moisture level, keep the skin hydrated, boost the efficacy of the next skincare product

Key Ingredients: Herb rose of Jericho, mineral oils

The key ingredient of Conscious Chemist's essence is a 6-peptide complex, which helps with skin regeneration and fading away visible wrinkles by providing intense hydration, eventually making skin firmer. Just apply 2-3 pumps of it on damp skin for better absorption and follow up with your favourite moisturiser to lock in hydration.

Features: Refines visible wrinkles, restores firm skin, provides intense hydration

Key Ingredients: 6-peptide complex, propylene glycol

Though on the pricier side, we cannot pass on Forest Essentials' activating serum. Now, even though this isn't an essence, it does have the benefits of both an essence and a serum, similar to Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair. This one claims to effectively permeate the skin while helping tremendously with hydration. Further, it is inspired by the ancient Indian ritual of Ushapana, which is the 'first drink of early morning water, the life-giving nectar of life.' It helps make the skin smoother, buoyant, and radiant while helping rejuvenate the skin cells. If you're someone who likes multi-purpose products or doesn't want to add one too many steps to their skin care routine, then add this to your CSMS routine. 

Features: Rejuvenate skin cells, lightweight, chemical-free

Ingredients: Liquorice, Betaine

Pro-Tip: Read more about the CSMS routine here. 

We have always loved Innisfree for their reliable potent skincare, and in the top 5 comes this essence. All the ingredients are worth mentioning, really, since they do their own important jobs, like Orchid extract that repairs uneven skin tone, hyaluronic acid for retaining moisture, and cocoa extract to treat acne and blemishes. Results? Firmer and nourished skin. 

Features: Improves skin firmness, boosts skin elasticity

Key Ingredients: Orchid extract, oat kernel extract, niacinamide

A little (read: a lot) on the higher end, Mixsoon essence is a lightweight and vegan formula that delivers what it says. If you have textured skin, then you must choose this one as it majorly focuses on deeply exfoliating and hydrating the skin. Plus, it is mild and absorbs pretty quickly, so zero stickiness whatsoever. Another great part is that the ingredients are fermented and extracted for up to 72 hours, which helps in preserving potency. 

Features: Repairs skin damage, free from harsh chemicals, enhances natural radiance

Key Ingredients: Fermented Soybean Extract, barley seed ferment

Pro-Tip: Your Ultimate Guide On How To Use Face Serum

It is a hydration-all-day serum that will never make your skin look like it is desperately looking to quench its thirst. As the name suggests, it's a multi-active serum, meaning multitalented enough to soften the skin, making it intensely hydrated, and providing barrier support. 

Features: Keeps skin hydrated, increases penetration of skincare ingredients

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Citric Acid