The Clairence

Who doesn’t love a treatment that leaves your skin feeling like a glazed donut? There is one treatment that can make your skin feel baby-smooth: slugging. Slugging is a moisturizing method that has gained popularity on social media (especially Tiktok). Originating from Korean beauty methods, slugging is used to occlude and trap moisture, leaving your skin refreshed and hydrated. Like all skincare methods, slugging has its misconceptions.

Skin slugging usually involves a thick moisturizer or petroleum jelly such as Aquaphor or Vaseline. Petroleum jelly, also known as petrolatum, is used to temporarily prevent bacteria from penetrating your skin. It is commonly used to protect dry or wounded skin from irritants that could harm your skin. You can slug your face at any point in the day, however slugging before you go to bed is most preferred. Leaving a heavy moisturizer on your face overnight can help lock in moisture as you do not have to wear sunscreen or be active as you would during the day.

You might know that slugging can be used for anti-aging and repairing purposes. But, what most do not know is slugging can actually do more harm than good depending on your skin type and your nighttime skincare routine. On Tiktok, it is common to see an influencer perform skin slugging with a handful of Vaseline. In reality, a thin layer will suffice. A thick coating could not only be uncomfortable but also lead to excessive clogging.

For those with oily or acne-prone skin, this trend is something you could pass on. Slugging can lead to clogged pores and worsen acne. Although for some it might help by repairing the skin barrier, for the vast majority it won’t do much good.

Slugging is used to retain moisture, and should only be used on clean skin. Trapping oil and bacteria is a common mistake most make when lathering one's face in moisturizer. In a similar way, those who use retinoids or AHAs at night should not use the slugging technique. Topical tretinoin, tazarotene, and other retinoids or prescribed products are considered “actives.” When Aquaphor or Vaseline is used after an active it will be trapped and pushed farther into the skin, leaving the skin more irritated.

Personally, I prefer to use Aquaphor when slugging because it leaves my skin feeling the most hydrated. Vaseline contains one hundred percent petroleum jelly. Meanwhile, Aquaphor uses forty-one percent petroleum jelly as well as mineral oil, glycerin, and other deeply moisturizing ingredients. I slug my skin whenever I feel it is dry or irritated, especially during the winter. I avoid slugging my T-zone because it is oily. On nights that I use my dermatologist-prescribed actives, I steer clear of skin slugging.

Editor’s Tip: for those for whom slugging is too heavy and impractical, try using several moisturisers. As for me, I start with a simple lotion to lock in all products, followed by a calming emulsion, finishing up with a cream-balm. I found this absorbs way better into your skin (so you won’t have to worry about a greasy pillow) while offering more skin benefits with richer formulations.

Skincare - Slugging Do's and Dont's