Are you looking for a new technique to fight dry skin? Skin slugging aims to do just that. The viral skin care trend has gained popularity over the past year as a possible solution to dry, flaky skin.
Like any skin care trend, it’s important to understand the facts and potential downsides. Read on to understand what skin slugging means, learn about its pros and cons and consider tips when trying it out for the first time.
What Is Skin Slugging?
You’ve probably encountered the terms “skin slugging” or “slugging” on social media. This skincare trend has been making rounds online, and for good reason. Unlike other complicated beauty trends, this one only requires one household product:
petroleum jelly.
Skin slugging is a Korean beauty practice where you slather petroleum jelly or any other heavy emollient on your skin as the last step of your
nightly skincare routine. The goal is to provide moisture overnight.
The term “slugging” first appeared online in a
2014 Reddit subgroup post where the author claimed to have turned themselves into a “slug” after applying Vaseline to their dry skin. The practice went viral when Charlotte Palermino, an aesthetician and co-founder of skin care brand Dieux, posted a video about how slugging made her skin “juicy.”
How to “slug” your face
The slugging process only takes a few minutes of your time. Here’s how you do at night:
- Cleanse your face.
- Apply your usual skincare products.
- Scoop a handful of petroleum jelly or any occlusive of choice and slather all over your face. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, apply a pea-sized amount.
- Let it sit for a few minutes before getting into bed.
Why use petroleum jelly?
Petroleum jelly, also known as petrolatum, was first introduced by
Vaseline. This product is a yellowish or white semisolid, jelly-like matter made of mineral oils and waxes
that help seal skin with a water-protective barrier.
Its healing powers come from its main ingredient, petroleum, which helps soothe minor burns, remove eye makeup and provide moisture. Many people use this product for slugging because it’s generally safe. It’s an occlusive that
creates a physical barrier that prevents pollutants from damaging the skin.
What are the benefits of slugging?
Why do many people love slugging? Discover the known benefits.
It’s cheap
Petroleum jelly is cheaper than trendy skincare products. It’s accessible and only costs a couple of dollars.
It provides moisture
Slugging helps retain skin moisture, resulting in softer skin. It’s tried and tested by many individuals. Unlike beauty fads, petroleum jelly
can address many skin concerns, such as dry skin, chafing, diaper rash and brittle nails.
It helps repair skin damage
Slugging can provide a soothing effect if you have an impaired skin barrier, as the layer of petroleum jelly prevents your skin from irritation and friction.
Fights dryness
Since it’s a moisturizer, petroleum jelly helps fight the signs of dryness, such as itchy, flaky or cracked skin. It’s also beneficial in winter if cold weather makes your face drier than usual.
The drawbacks of skin slugging
This skin care practice is not without its negative side. Petroleum jelly is occlusive, so it
has a potential risk for harm since it increases the intensity of the products placed underneath it. Here are some of its possible cons.
It may cause breakouts
While it’s commonly safe, the practice is not recommended for people with sensitive skin. Those who are acne-prone or have a skin condition must be careful since they have a greater likelihood of irritation and side effects.
It can be uncomfortable
Applying petroleum jelly to the whole face before bed can be challenging because of its sticky nature. Your face might stick to your pillowcase as you toss and turn and leave oily stains.
Face slugging tips for beginners
Now that you know the pros and cons, it’s time to try it out on your own. Follow these tips as you slide into the slug life.
1. Do it at night
Applying petroleum jelly during nighttime helps lock in moisture while you sleep.
2. Put a clean towel on your pillow
Do this to prevent petroleum jelly from getting on the pillow. Switch the towel every night to prevent bacteria from your pillowcase from spreading to your skin.
3. Avoid retinoids
Putting a retinoid underneath your slugging mask
may cause irritation or breakouts. Avoid using these products simultaneously.
4. Try other products
Vaseline,
CeraVe and
Aquaphor are commonly used for slugging. However, if you’re looking for high-end products with added moisturizing properties, consider products that contain ceramides.
Other benefits of slugging
Aside from moisturizing your face, slugging can help treat other common
skin issues. You can apply petroleum jelly to other parts of your body as well. Anywhere you experience dryness, you can try slugging the area. Here are a few more ideas of ways to try skin slugging.
1. Smooth crow’s feet and wrinkles
If you have mature skin, slugging can help smooth fine lines and wrinkles. As you age, you might develop dryer skin over time and lose the oiliness that many have as teenagers. The petroleum content of the product helps trap moisture in the skin, which helps to smooth fine lines.
Apply a pea-sized amount of petroleum jelly lightly around the eyes to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet.
2. Hydrate your lips
You can use petroleum jelly or
lanolin balm to combat cracked lips. If normal
lip balms don’t seem to cut it for you in the winter, try something heavier to really lock in the moisture. Search for a cream with
coconut oil to boost the hydrating effect and apply it every night.
3. Use the slugging technique on your body
Your face isn’t the only place you can try this technique. You can also apply petroleum jelly to your neck and hands, which also tend to show signs of aging.
Try skin slugging today
If there’s any TikTok beauty trend worth trying tonight, it would be this one. It’s cheap, easy and proven to be generally beneficial. If you have a skin condition or are unsure about slugging, it’s best to visit your dermatologist first to get the go-ahead.
