Slugging Your Option to Higher Pores and skin: What It Is and Why It Works

In the event you’ve seen a plethora of slimy, shiny faces on TikTok not too long ago, you have most likely discovered the favored skincare routine, “slugging.” The development has created a frenzy amongst magnificence advocates and gone viral on TikTok resulting from claims that it makes pores and skin clean and tender. 

Don’t fret, this course of would not use any actual slugs. Slugging includes a cheap family product that your grandma all the time has in her lavatory: petroleum jelly.

Here is all the things that you must find out about this gooey skincare development. 

What’s slugging? 

Slugging is a Korean magnificence skincare follow meaning slathering petroleum jelly in your face. You should use any product from Aquaphor to CeraVe to Vaseline so as to moisturize and defend the face in a single day. Movies of this magnificence approach have gone viral on TikTok, with over 154 million views so far below the hashtag #slugging. Many TikTok customers who’ve tried it out for themselves report outcomes similar to plump, glowing and moisturized pores and skin.  

@edwardzo TikTok made me attempt it: Slugging (w/ @cetaphilusa’s new therapeutic ointment) 🐌 #skincare101#skintok#slugging#skinbarrier#cetaphil#cetaphilpartner♬ unique sound – EdwardZO

The slugging course of

The first step: Cleanse your face.

Step two: Pile on hydrating merchandise, similar to hyaluronic acid or glycerin.

Step three: Add a nightly moisturizer, like a lotion, oil or cream.

Step 4: Load in your occlusive, or the petroleum jelly: Vaseline, CeraVe, Aquaphor or one other model. (When you’ll see TikTokers utilizing a full handful for dramatic impact, you should utilize as little as a pea-size quantity to see advantages.)

Step 5: Wait a couple of minutes earlier than entering into mattress.

Supposed advantages of slugging 

Petroleum jelly consists of oils and waxes that act as a barrier on the pores and skin, trapping moisture beneath. Research have proven that Vaseline — one of the common manufacturers of petroleum jelly — has properties that will assist restore your pores and skin’s outermost layer. Along with preserving the pores and skin moisturized, petroleum jelly can improve the efficiency of different merchandise utilized beneath. 

Slugging is best when mixed with humectants (a dermatology time period for substances that retain moisture), similar to hyaluronic acid, glycerin or urea.

Reported slugging advantages embrace:

• Moisturized, glowing pores and skin
• More healthy, younger-looking pores and skin
• Repaired pores and skin barrier
• Locking in different merchandise
• Decreased look of wrinkles

What do the specialists say?

Dermatologists should not stunned by this development, on condition that Vaseline has been a preferred magnificence product for many years. They already understand how occlusives (similar to petroleum jelly) successfully lock in moisture to maintain pores and skin hydrated and plump.

Board-certified New York dermatologist Dr. Hadley King agrees with the effectiveness of slugging so long as you “do it the appropriate manner.” 

“First apply a product or merchandise that comprise humectants and emollients (moisturizing substances), then add different occlusives. You can begin with a serum containing humectants and add a face oil with emollients,” she mentioned. “The final step can be slugging petrolatum because the occlusive. Alternatively, you could possibly apply a moisturizer that accommodates humectants, emollients and occlusives, after which for additional occlusive properties, apply the slugging petrolatum.”

In response to King, the slugging skincare development is most useful for these with dry pores and skin or those that are sometimes uncovered to dry circumstances on condition that “a dry atmosphere will exacerbate transepidermal water loss and dryness of the pores and skin.” 

Nonetheless, King recommends being cautious when making use of occlusives on prime of topical drugs as a result of it might improve the efficiency, creating antagonistic results.

Slugging is not for everybody. in keeping with Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-certified New York dermatologist and writer of the e-book Pores and skin Guidelines. “Slugging earlier than you fall asleep is ok you probably have very dry pores and skin, however not a good suggestion for acne-prone pores and skin,” Jaliman mentioned. “Slugging can probably entice oils and clog the pores and skin’s pores and particularly irritate acne-prone pores and skin, contributing to breakouts.”

She went on to say: “In case you are not acne-prone, some good merchandise you should utilize for slugging are CeraVe therapeutic ointment and Aquaphor.” Echoing King’s recommendation, Jaliman additionally recommends utilizing a product that hydrates, moisturizes and protects multi function: “Personally, I’d suggest utilizing a thick cream similar to CeraVe moisturizing cream that has ceramides and hyaluronic acid.”

Slugging suggestions

Apply solely at night time

Except you are in an especially chilly and dry atmosphere, it’s best to use solely at night time. That manner, you’ll be able to lock in moisture and different skincare merchandise when you sleep. (In any other case, you may be strolling round all day with slimy pores and skin.) 

Mix along with your nightly moisturizer

Vaseline works by stopping moisture from getting in or out. If there isn’t a moisture on the pores and skin to start with, making use of petroleum jelly will not present a lot profit. For the very best outcomes, it is necessary to load up your pores and skin with hydrating and moisturizing merchandise first, then slather your slugging product on prime to maintain moisture from evaporating off your pores and skin.

Drugstore or high-end merchandise will work

Vaseline is an inexpensive product that may be discovered at any drugstore, however in the event you’re in search of luxurious merchandise with additional moisturizing properties, King recommends Ghost Democracy Ceramide Cream. “It accommodates ceramides, lipids, squalane and murumuru seed butter to assist the pores and skin barrier and lock in moisture. You might add heavier occlusives on prime if desired,” she mentioned.  

King additionally recommends Innbeauty Challenge Day by day Moisturizer. “With ceramides, triglycerides, shea butter, squalane, dimethicone and fatty acids and fatty alcohols, this helps the pores and skin barrier and locks in moisture.”

Use persistently to see outcomes

Darnisha Monson, a licensed esthetician, recommends making slugging part of your nighttime skincare routine. With a view to discover outcomes, that you must slug persistently for 4 to 6 weeks. Slugging can’t restore your pores and skin or your pores and skin’s look in a single day.  

Finest if used within the winter

The colder months are the occasions when our pores and skin loses essentially the most moisture. Slugging will probably be more practical in winter and in environments which are harsh on the pores and skin. Occlusives may even defend towards windburn throughout your winter ski journeys.

The data contained on this article is for instructional and informational functions solely and isn’t meant as well being or medical recommendation. All the time seek the advice of a doctor or different certified well being supplier concerning any questions you will have a couple of medical situation or well being goals.