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Slugging: The Skincare Trend Taking Over TikTok

Slugging: The Skincare Trend Taking Over TikTok
Natalie Rosselli
Writer and expert2 years ago
View Natalie Rosselli's profile

Slugging: A K-beauty skincare trend that will leave you feeling fully moisturized and, well, slug-like.

Slugging has managed to stand the test of the micro-trend cycle, starting to gain traction in 2021 and taking over TikTok within the last few months. Everyone is boasting its benefits, while cautioning others about the slickness they can expect when slathering their faces. Among its effects are moisturized complexions and bouncy, plump skin.

By now, most of us know the basics of slugging—after you finish your nighttime skincare routine, from cleansing to moisturizing, you dip your hand into a vat of petroleum jelly and cover every inch of your face—but the basics aren’t the whole story. Before you start slugging, it’s important to know why you’re doing it and how to do it right.

What is Slugging? 

Slugging is a process where you apply an occlusive agent to the skin (typically petroleum based) in order to seal in skin’s moisture. Leaving the product on overnight leaves you with beautifully soft skin in the morning without the hassle of a multiple-step routine.

What Does Slugging Do? 

The number one reason people start slugging is to trap moisture beneath a self-made barrier to get the most out of the hydrating products used in their routine. This is extremely beneficial during the winter when the air is dry and your skin is at a higher risk of losing moisture. Slugging can also be used to help calm eczema and relieve dryness anywhere on the body.

How To Do Face Slugging: 

To slug, all you really need is a petroleum-based ointment. The most commonly used is Vaseline, but what goes under the barrier is just as important.

In order to lock in your skin’s moisture, you need to hydrate. Layering serums, moisturizers, and oils will help you reap the full benefits of the trend. We’ve supplied a roundup of some of our go-to hydrating products perfect for layering before slugging.

Those with oily and/or acne prone skin beware of slugging your entire face, as this may cause more congestion and breakouts. The process locks in moisture, but in doing so, it also locks in everything else under the barrier created. Instead, consider using slugging as a spot treatment and focus the product on the places that are the driest.

Whether you try it once or become a master, we wish you a very Happy Slugging!

Natalie Rosselli
Writer and expert
View Natalie Rosselli's profile
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