I’m not on Tik Tok. But I do tend to catch the reuploads to Instagram, and that is where I find out what is trending on Tik Tok. Something I love about the beauty community on Tik Tok is that the younger audience is discovering products, techniques, and trends I’ve known and loved for years for the first time. That’s how I recently learned that slugging is back as a big trend in skincare. So today we’re talking everything ~slug~. We’ll tackle questions like: What is slugging in skincare? What are the benefits? Who benefits the most from slugging? We’ll also go over some do’s and don’ts and a few of my favorite products.
What is Slugging?
Slugging is the act of using a petrolatum-based occlusive over top of your skincare to trap moisture on the skin and prevent transepidermal water loss.
Layman’s terms: Using a petrolatum, or petroleum jelly, as a last step in your skincare routine to retain moisture.
And I can hear it now; you’re asking me two questions:
- Is this petroleum from the ground? No. The petroleum used in skin products is incredibly refined, and you’re not going to get any sort of byproduct from actual petroleum. It’s skin safe.
- Isn’t this asking for a breakout? Not necessarily. Pure petrolatums, like Vaseline*, are actually non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog pores.
What are the Benefits of Slugging?
The essence of slugging is to coat your face in a pure occlusive, like Vaseline (or any petroleum-based formula), because they create a physical barrier on your skin. This allows whatever products you put on your skin to stay there, so you’re locking in hydration and preventing water loss.
The term “slugging” comes from the K-beauty space where moisture reigns absolute supreme. So these occlusive products must be super hydrating, right?
Well, no.
Pure occlusives, like Vaseline*, do not hydrate. They don’t moisturize. But what they do is create a barrier between the air and your skin to prevent any of the hydrating/moisturizing goodness from your skincare from leaving your face.
Why is that good for your skin?
- Slugging helps repair a damaged skin barrier.
- It can soothe irritated skin from dryness or skin conditions like eczema.
- By trapping the moisture on your skin, the skin can plump up from hydration and help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- You’ll be left with healthier, glowing skin.
& Is Slugging Right for Me?
We’ve talked about what slugging is and what the benefits of slugging in skincare are. Now let’s talk about who slugging is best for and who should maybe skip it.
Dry skin folks:
If you have dry, dehydrated skin or a damaged moisture barrier, slugging is probably something you’re going to want to try.
After you’ve applied your hydrating skincare, top it off with a pea size amount of Vaseline (or another slugging/occlusive based product). You’re going to lock in the moisture and help it penetrate your skin more deeply.
Oily skin folks:
Surprisingly, Vaseline isn’t comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. It feels greasy to the touch, but it actually isn’t likely to lead to any breakouts.
Even so, if you deal with an oily or acne prone skin type, slugging probably isn’t for you. You’re already producing enough moisture for your skin, and trapping excess moisture could potentially lead to breakouts and other irritations.
However, if you are someone with dry skin that is acne prone, slugging may be a good technique to try in conjunction with your hydrating products on days/nights you aren’t using acne fighting actives.
Have rosacea?
If you are someone who deals with rosacea, I wouldn’t recommend slugging. Rosacea doesn’t like heat, and, unfortunately, any kind of occlusive barrier on the skin can trap heat on the skin and cause a rosacea flare up.
What about eczema?
On the other hand, someone with eczema may find slugging very beneficial. Because it will trap moisture on the skin, your eczema will get a targeted dose of hydration.
But if you’re someone dealing with any kind of skin condition, I’d recommend consulting with a dermatologist to make sure you aren’t going to wreak havoc on your skin.
The Do’s & Don’ts of Slugging:
DO: Use a small amount.
You only need to use a pea size amount of Vaseline* or your slugging agent of choice.
I’ve seen a handful of Tik Tok videos applying very liberally. And will it hurt? No, probably not. But it’s not necessary. A little goes a long way in creating that occlusive barrier.
DON’T: Slug over harsh actives.
I highly don’t recommend slugging over any kind of harsh active. And when I say active, I’m talking about vitamin C, retinol, BHAs, AHAs, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids.
Why? Because slugging is creating a barrier to trap ingredients on the skin, it can actually increase the potency of those ingredients. Not everybody is going to be as sensitive to this as others. But when it comes to actives, I like to err on the side of caution.
So if it’s a night where you’re using any kind of harsh exfoliating or treatment actives, skip out on the slugging and save it for a replenishing, hydrating night instead.
DO: Apply a few hours before bedtime.
I like to slug a few hours before I’m ready to go to bed. Because the products don’t fully absorb into your skin, rather they sit on top of the skin for a while, applying right before your head hits the pillow could lead to a messy situation.
A lot of your slugging agent is likely to rub off, minimizing the slugging benefits and leaving a mess on your bedding.
DON’T: Apply to bare or freshly cleansed bare skin.
Remember, an occlusive is going to create a barrier to trap whatever is beneath it on the skin. Creating this layer over bare skin is going to trap any oils, environmental pollutants, or other icky bits already on your skin. This can potentially lead to breakouts or other irritations.
So applying on bare skin sounds good, right? But that isn’t going to be beneficial either. Some cleansers can be drying. If you apply your occlusive over bare dry skin, no matter how clean, you still aren’t adding moisture or hydration, just a layer over bare skin. And that can also lead to irritation.
My Favorite Products for Slugging:
Vaseline*:
- 100% petrolatum
- Not going to moisturize – a pure occlusive
- Very multi-use & something I always keep in my bathroom
Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Skin Protectant*:
- 56% petrolatum
- Tube packaging makes it easy to apply
- Not as greasy feeling as Vaseline + offers some moisturizing benefits
- Also a great multi-use product
- A great luxury option if you’re kind of a brand snob… What? Some people are!
CeraVe Healing Ointment*:
- 46% petrolatum
- Contains added ceramides, which help retain moisture and preventing entry of germs into your body, as well as other hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid
- Feels lighter in weight than Vaseline* or the Elizabeth Arden cream*
Aquaphor Healing Ointment*:
- 41% petrolatum
- Contains glycerin and panthenol, humectants that help pull water from the deep layers of your skin to the surface to keep skin hydrated
- Numerous packaging options
Nivea Creme*:
- Contains some petrolatum to create an occlusive barrier on the skin
- But also contains added emollients to moisturize and hydrate the skin
Hopefully that answers any questions you have about slugging. But if it doesn’t, reach out in my email or in the comments below, and I’ll make sure we get an answer to your question.
Do you use slugging within your skincare routine? What’s your favorite skincare technique to keep your skin hydrated?
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