Slugging is a skincare trend that’s been around for years but after going viral again on TikTok recently, it’s proving to be as popular as ever. Although it sounds unappealing, it definitely isn’t. This much-loved skincare trend is an effective and gentle way to replenish and restore the skin and is great for people who are prone to dryness and dehydration.
In this blog post, we delve deeper into slugging, explore what it is and explain why you should consider incorporating it into your skincare routine.
WHAT IS SLUGGING?
Slugging is a popular skincare trend that involves applying a thick layer of petroleum jelly or another thick occlusive product as the final step in your evening skincare routine. An occlusive product is any skincare product that acts as a moisturising agent and forms a protective barrier or layer on your skin to prevent moisture loss. The goal with slugging is to create a barrier on the skin's surface to lock in moisture and prevent water loss so you can achieve a hydrated and smoother complexion. The idea of coating your face in a thick product might sound scary but slugging has become so popular because it results in glowing and hydrated skin.
THE BENEFITS OF SLUGGING
The main benefit of slugging is feeding your skin with intense hydration. By sealing in moisture, the occlusive layer prevents water loss and keeps the skin plump and hydrated throughout the night. Slugging also helps to strengthen the skin barrier function as it protects it from environmental stressors and pollutants and it helps to soothe irritations. Applying an occlusive layer as the last step in your skincare routine has been proven to help the active ingredients in skincare products penetrate more effectively too.
WHO IS SLUGGING GOOD FOR?
Slugging is a very gentle process that doesn’t involve active ingredients and instead, is all about using soothing and hydrating products that help strengthen and replenish the skin. This makes it ideal for people who are prone to dryness, dehydration, tight skin or sensitive skin. People with oily or acne-prone skin can still slug but we advise only slugging areas of the face that are not prone to breakouts.
HOW TO SLUG
Begin your slugging routine by thoroughly cleansing your skin and applying your regular skincare products. To avoid blocked pores and breakouts make sure you choose the right occlusive product for your skin type. We suggest using a gentle and non-comedogenic occlusive moisturiser or petroleum jelly. Apply the chosen occlusive product and spread it evenly across your face. Don't be afraid to use a generous amount as the goal here is to create a protective barrier. Slugging is best done at night as part of your evening skincare routine as this will allow the occlusive layer to work while you sleep so you wake up with a hydrated, plump and refreshed complexion.
FIND YOUR SLUGGING STYLE
We suggest experimenting with different types of occlusive products, so you work out which works best for your skin type. How often you slug will also depend on the time of year and the environment your skin is exposed to. In the cooler weather when your skin is feeling more dehydrated, you might want to slug most nights, but during summer you might want to reduce this to a few nights a week. If your skin is feeling extra dry and dehydrated, we recommend using a hydrating sheet mask like our Ultra Hydro Plumping Mask before you slug.
This sheet mask features a powerful concentration of hydrating active ingredients such as sodium polyglutamate and sodium hyaluronate and targets the surface layer and deeper skin cells with intense hydration to leave you with a softer and more even skin tone and a plump and hydrated complexion.