Looking for a solution to treat dry skin? Many beauty aficionados swear by slugging, the latest skincare trend to go viral on Tik Tok and Reddit. Fortunately, it doesn’t involve actual slugs sliding across your face. Instead, it’s an intense form of moisturization that relies on a heavy-duty occlusive (such as Vaseline or petroleum jelly) being slathered on the skin before bed. This helps to lock in moisture along with any other ingredients that have been applied and seal the skin barrier. It gets its name from the slimy film that is left on the skin. Here, board-certified plastic surgeon Alexis Parcells, FACS, founder of Sunnie, shares a few dos and dont’s to make sure you get it just right.
DO consider this technique if you have super dry skin. Sealing in hydration and preventing water loss can help repair damaged, cracked, and flaky skin.
DON’T do this if your skin is oily or you are currently breaking out. This will make things worse.
DO cleanse and exfoliate prior to slugging. Slugging itself is not comedogenic (acne-causing), but if you have clogged pores or haven’t removed all makeup, you could create an infection or outbreak by trapping these particles under the occlusive. Make sure your skin is super clean before sealing it.
DO load up on humectants. Slugging itself isn’t hydrating—it doesn’t infuse the skin with moisture. Rather, it just keeps the moisturizing products you’ve applied from seeping out. Apply glycerin, hyaluronics, or aloe-based products to damp skin (after a cleanse), and then follow with a moisturizer. Lastly, top your skin off with the occlusive.
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DON’T use an active skincare product when slugging. We are talking about BHAs, AHAs, and retinoids. When trapped, these can increase their strength beyond what was concentrated by a chemist, and potentially increase their strength, leading to unpredictable results on the skin.
DO apply about 30 minutes prior to bed and allow it to set before resting your head. While you want to coat your face, you do not need to apply multiple coats. Place a towel over your pillowcase as things can get messy overnight. Consider keeping your hair back in a sleep hat or headband. You may also use cling or Saran Wrap to contain the petroleum after application.
DON’T apply new products in the morning until you have cleansed your face again to remove the occlusive barrier.
For a cleaner version of slugging that is not petroleum-based, consider products rich in ceramides, jojoba oil, or squalene, which replenish the skin barrier and keep water locked in.
