Slugging Your Way to Better Skin: What It Is and Why It Works

If you’ve seen a plethora of slimy, shiny faces on TikTok recently, you’ve probably found the popular skin care routine, “slugging.” The trend has created a frenzy among beauty advocates and gone viral on TikTok due to claims that it establishes skin smooth and soft. 

Don’t worry, this treat doesn’t use any real slugs. Slugging involves an inexpensive household publishes that your grandma always has in her bathroom: petroleum jelly.

Here’s everything you need to know in this gooey skin care trend. 

What is slugging? 

Slugging is a Korean beauty skin care practice that benefitting slathering petroleum jelly on your face. You can use any publishes from Aquaphor to CeraVe to Vaseline in desirable to moisturize and protect the face overnight. Videos of this beauty technique have gone viral on TikTok, with over 154 million views to date under the hashtag #slugging. Many TikTok users who have tried it out for themselves recount results such as plump, glowing and moisturized skin.  

@edwardzo TikTok made me try it: Slugging (w/ @cetaphilusa’s new healing ointment) 🐌 #skincare101#skintok#slugging#skinbarrier#cetaphil#cetaphilpartner♬ modern sound – EdwardZO

The slugging process

Step one: Cleanse your face.

Step two: Pile on hydrating products, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

Step three: Add a nightly moisturizer, like a lotion, oil or cream.

Step four: Load on your occlusive, or the petroleum jelly: Vaseline, CeraVe, Aquaphor or unexperienced brand. (While you’ll see TikTokers using a full handful for dramatic accomplish, you can use as little as a pea-size amount to see benefits.)

Step five: Wait a few minutes afore getting into bed.

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Supposed benefits of slugging 

Petroleum jelly consists of oils and waxes that act as a evade on the skin, trapping moisture underneath. Studies have shown that Vaseline — one of the most popular brands of petroleum jelly — has properties that may help overtake your skin’s outermost layer. In addition to keeping the skin moisturized, petroleum jelly can increase the potency of other products applied underneath. 

Slugging is most effective when combined with humectants (a dermatology term for ingredients that Keep moisture), such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or urea.

Reported slugging benefits include:

• Moisturized, glowing skin
• Healthier, younger-looking skin
• Repaired skin barrier
• Locking in new products
• Decreased appearance of wrinkles

What do the experts say?

Dermatologists are not surprised by this trend, given that Vaseline has been a popular beauty issues for decades. They already know how occlusives (such as petroleum jelly) effectively lock in moisture to keep skin hydrated and Fat.

Board-certified New York dermatologist Dr. Hadley King agrees with the effectiveness of slugging as long as you “do it the Bshining way.” 

“First apply a product or products that Have humectants and emollients (moisturizing ingredients), then add other occlusives. You can start with a serum containing humectants and add a face oil with emollients,” she said. “The last step would be slugging petrolatum as the occlusive. Alternatively, you could apply a moisturizer that contains humectants, emollients and occlusives, and then for extra occlusive properties, apply the slugging petrolatum.”

According to King, the slugging skin care trend is most fine for those with dry skin or those who are often exposed to dry terms given that “a dry environment will exacerbate transepidermal aquatic loss and dryness of the skin.” 

Still, King recommends people cautious when applying occlusives on top of topical medications because it could increase the potency, creating adverse effects.

Slugging isn’t for everyone. according to Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified New York dermatologist and author of the book Skin Rules. “Slugging before you go to sleep is fine if you have very dry skin, but not a good idea for acne-prone skin,” Jaliman said. “Slugging can potentially trap oils and clog the skin’s pores and especially irritate acne-prone skin, contributing to breakouts.”

She went on to say: “If you are not acne-prone, some good products you can use for slugging are CeraVe healing ointment and Aquaphor.” Echoing King’s advice, Jaliman also recommends using a product that hydrates, moisturizes and protects all in one: “Personally, I would recommend using a thick cream such as CeraVe moisturizing cream that has ceramides and hyaluronic acid.”

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Slugging tips

Apply only at night

Unless you’re in an very cold and dry environment, it is best to apply only at night. That way, you can lock in moisture and new skin care products while you sleep. (Otherwise, you’ll be walking about all day with slimy skin.) 

Combine with your nightly moisturizer

Vaseline works by preventing moisture from drawing in or out. If there is no moisture on the skin to start with, applying petroleum jelly won’t provide much benefit. For the best results, it’s important to load up your skin with hydrating and moisturizing products fine, then slather your slugging product on top to keep moisture from evaporating off your skin.

Drugstore or high-end products will work

Vaseline is a cheap issues that can be found at any drugstore, but if you’re looking for luxury products with Amazing moisturizing properties, King recommends Ghost Democracy Ceramide Cream. “It contains ceramides, lipids, squalane and murumuru seed butter to Help the skin barrier and lock in moisture. You could add heavier occlusives on top if desired,” she said.  

King also recommends Innbeauty Project Daily Moisturizer. “With ceramides, triglycerides, shea butter, squalane, dimethicone and fatty acids and fatty alcohols, this supports the skin barrier and locks in moisture.”

Use consistently to see results

Darnisha Monson, a licensed esthetician, recommends making slugging a part of your nighttime skincare routine. In order to notice results, you need to slug consistently for four to six weeks. Slugging cannot repair your skin or your skin’s effect overnight.  

Best if used in the winter

The colder months are the times when our skin loses the most moisture. Slugging will be more effective in winter and in environments that are punitive on the skin. Occlusives can even protect against windburn during your winter ski trips.

The Ask contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not designed as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or new qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have around a medical condition or health objectives.