Trendy Tiktok Skincare Trend "Slugging"
“Slugging”, in terms of skincare, is just as it sounds. It is simply coating the face in a layer of Vaseline, or any other petroleum jelly product. The term itself was coined recently within the Korean beauty community and Reddit, but the practice of slugging in skincare has been around for years. Many people say that they had been taught the skincare trend from their mothers or even grandmothers. As popular as the skincare trend has become, what exactly does slugging do for the skin?
The Slugging Effect
Image via Good Housekeeping
Our skin gets extremely dry and rough in the Winter to the point where our moisturizer just isn't doing the job. Adding slugging into your skincare routine can help repair the skins’ moisture barrier. The protective layer formed with the petroleum jelly will seal the skin to prevent any water loss which will allow the skin to repair itself. Once the slugging layer is removed, the skin is left extremely moisturized and glowy. Slugging is best and most effective when the skin is extremely dry or damaged. For those with oily or acne prone skin, it’s best to either avoid slugging or use a lighter product for slugging.
How to Slug
Image via Stylist
Now don’t just go slathering on that jar of Vaseline on your face. Slugging isn’t something that should be done every night. Rule of thumb is - slug when you need it. If you feel your skin is extremely dry and flaky or cracking, slug away. Overhydration or moisturizing of the skin may cause more problems down the line so only slug when you need to. It’s also best to avoid using any retinol or active acids in your routine when you are slugging.
There are two ways you can include slugging into your routine:
- One way is by doing your regular nighttime skincare routine (leaving out any active acids or retinol of course) and then applying the Vaseline or vaseline-like product overnight then wash it off with cleanser in the morning
- The second way can be to do a shorter type of slugging which is only leaving the Vaseline on for a few hours before washing off.
When you do need to repair your skin and want to incorporate slugging into your routine for the night, it is best to use a hydrating moisturizer or serum underneath the slugging product. Again, slugging is meant to lock in the hydration that your skin needs to heal itself so using a hydrating serum or moisturizer will be most effective. These are a couple of my favorite hydrating serums and moisturizers to use:
1. COSRX Hydrium Triple Hyaluronic Moisture Ampoule
2. ROUND LAB Birch Juice Moisturizing Cream
Say Yes to the Slug
Though slugging has been around for quite a while it has definitely made itself a household name in the past year. The idea of slathering on Vaseline (or anything like Vaseline) may seem a bit off-putting at first, the results are definitely worth it. Like with most skincare methods, it's wisest to do what is best for your skin type. Know what your skin needs and methods like slugging can do wonders for the skin when done properly. So, if you’re someone who has perpetually irritated and dry skin (much like me this winter season), then say yes to slugging and give your skin the hydration it needs for glowy and healthy-looking skin.
