Knowing how great the essence is for your skin, this would be the next logical question to ask to ensure you’re getting all the beauty benefits. Dr. Farhang walked us through her preferred application method and the science behind her recommendations.

One of the primary ingredients in the snail mucin essence, apart from snail mucin, is hyaluronic acid. According to Dr. Farhang, “That’s the product that we usually say, “OK, apply it on a damp face and then put your moisturizer on top so the hydration capabilities are optimized,” because with hyaluronic acid, it’s pulling in moisture.”

However, she added, “If your skin is dry and you also live in a dry climate — like where I live, in Arizona — it could potentially dehydrate the skin because it doesn’t have any water to pull from so it’s going to pull it from your own dehydrated skin, basically. So, that’s why we say apply it on a damp face. It doesn’t have to be wet.”

In fact, Dr. Farhang advises against applying this on a wet face, equating it to an “oil-and-water phenomenon.” Instead, she recommends that after washing your face, you should lightly (lightly!) pat it dry so it’s slightly damp, after which you can apply the snail mucin and your other skincare.

But wait, there’s more! If you’re a fan of facial tools, the COSRX snail mucin is the perfect medium for providing the necessary smooth glide over your skin so it’s not being tugged and traumatized. According to Dr. Farhang, you can use tools like a gua sha, jade roller, or the cult-fave Solwave skincare wand, which she “really like[s].”