Recently during at a dinner with friends I was given the opportunity to nerd out over skincare to a new mate who had not heard of slugging.
"Oh, it's a game changer!" I said excitingly zoning in her curiosity. "You basically put a thick layer of a vaseline all over your face before you go to bed and overnight the skin absorbs it like a sponge. My skin is so damn plump come morning!"
That was followed by questions about how much I used and if it would clogged the skin. So what exactly is slugging skin care, and why is it so popular? Let's dive in.
Slugging involves applying a thick layer of occlusive skincare product, such as petroleum jelly, over your moisturizer as the final step in your skincare routine. This creates a barrier that seals in moisture, preventing water loss and keeping your skin hydrated throughout the night.
As an oily skin girly I've surprisingly found the process to be a great solution to excessive oil as it gives my skin a break from having to produce so much of it. The lines on my forehead and smile have even disappeared after a few months of adapting this method.
Benefits of Slugging
Hydration: As mentioned, slugging helps to lock in moisture, preventing water loss and keeping your skin hydrated throughout the night. This is especially beneficial for those with dry or dehydrated skin.
Softness: Slugging can help to improve the texture of your skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth to the touch. This is because the occlusive layer helps to trap in moisture, which can lead to plumper and more youthful-looking skin.
Barrier Protection: By creating a protective barrier, slugging can also help to prevent environmental pollutants and other irritants from penetrating the skin. This can be especially beneficial for those with sensitive skin.
Reduces transepidermal water loss: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) occurs when the skin loses water through evaporation. Slugging can help to reduce TEWL, keeping your skin moisturized and preventing dryness.
Improved Product Absorption: By sealing in your moisturizer and other skincare products, slugging can also help to improve their absorption into the skin. This means you can get the most out of your skincare routine.
Thinking back my aunt and cousin would do something similar by over moisturizing their face and skin before leaving the house. We jokingly referred to it as "greasing up." Call it slugging, call it greasing up. ToMAYtoe, ToMAHtoe.
If you've found your skin losing it's elasticity or appearing more dull than you should recommending give this a try. Here are the products dermatologists recommend you use:
Vaseline Pure Petroleum Jelly Original
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Cerave Healing Ointment
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5
While slugging skin care may not be for everyone --- If you're acne prone it will probably cause more problems than solutions --- many people have found it to be a game-changer in their skincare routine. If you're interested in trying it out, look for a high-quality occlusive skincare product and apply it as the final step in your nighttime skincare routine.
Warning before venturing into slugging:
1. You will look like you just woke up with night sweats (don't accidentally leave the house like I did because people will stare out of concern).
2. Don't forget to moisturize your neck. A juicy face and dry neck is a wild combination!
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