In its 2025 trend breakdown, Spate recently noted that Google searches for snail serum between September 2023 and September 2024 grew 54.2%, signaling not only interest in snail mucin, but also K-beauty at large. Snail mucin is also all over TikTok. Phytomucin concepts have been around for a while, but Byoma's new Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum appears to tap into both the K-beauty craze and the desire for vegan, plant-based alternatives to conventional materials.
The 5-in-1 formula comprises a biobased mucin alternative derived from "Japanese roots and plants" (konjac is often used as a plant-based mucin alternative, for example).
These plant sources are rich in polysaccharides, offering skin plumping and water-loss-prevention benefits, as well as a barrier-strengthening effect.
The Byoma serum also includes panthenol (provitamin of B5) for water retention in the skin, as well as anti-inflammatory effects, as well as hydrating hyaluronic acid.
The non-stick skin barrier repair serum can act as a primer for makeup application and imparts the ever-popular "glass skin" effect.
Byoma's external clinical tests reportedly showed that skin tone can be brightened by as much as 22% and that redness can be reduced by as much as 34%.
The serum is available at Target ($15.99) and Ulta ($16.99).
