Slugging skincare is a K-beauty phenomenon that involves carefully applying a petroleum-based product as the final step in your regimen to help lock and seal in your skincare products overnight, then wiping it off the next day with a cleanser.
No slugs were hurt in the making of this skincare fad, and you won’t have to apply any creepy crawlies to your face to get radiant, supple skin.
What does Slugging skincare mean?
Slugging is a skincare method that entails slathering your face with a thick coating of petroleum jelly or Vaseline as the final step in your procedure. This, according to Koreans, helps to seal skincare ingredients into the skin overnight. Some experts suggest that, especially during the winter months, this might be good for dry and sensitive skin types. While petroleum jelly is best recognised for relaxing the skin and speeding wound healing, it may also be used as a protective barrier.
The phrase “slugging” refers to the belief that after applying Vaseline to your skin, your face would seem glossy and slimy, similar to that of a slug. Yum. Slugging originates from the realm of K-beauty, where moisture is the most crucial part of skincare, and slugging is the ideal approach to maximise your moisture, as Dr. Mudgil points out.
What are the benefits of Slugging skincare?
Anyone for baby soft, well-hydrated skin? Slugging forms a barrier across the skin, preventing transepidermal water loss and protecting and repairing the natural lipid barrier that connects skin cells together. “A common analogy for the interaction between your skin and their lipid barrier is that it’s similar to a brick wall—the skin cells are so much like the bricks, constituting the bulk of the physical structure; the lipids are primarily the mortar for the wall, holding the bricks together and supporting the overall integrity of the wall,” says Ali Tobia, a licenced esthetician in New York City. “And, like a brick wall whose mortar fractures, your skin is far more vulnerable to injury when its lipid barrier isn’t operating as effectively as it should.”
Yes, in a word. “This is definitely not for acne-prone, oily, or mixed skin,” Dr Kim warns. Also, if you’ve been having breakouts with masks, be cautious: “This will clog pores, worsen mask, and create acne flare-ups. It can create milia, which are tiny cysts with dead keratin within if applied too regularly.”
How do you slugging skincare on your face
Slugging can be done in two ways: overnight (the conventional method) or on a short-contact basis (like a wash-off face mask). Here’s how to complete each of them.
How to slug for the night
Because your skin repairs itself mostly while you sleep, slugging immediately before bed is the most common and favoured way. What’s the drawback? Get out your white linens and accept a little facial discomfort until you get used to the slug life.
You’re going to stick to your pillowcase (and leave some grease stains behind), so get out your white linens and accept a little facial discomfort until you get acclimated to the slug life.
- Follow your regular skincare routine, but leave out any spot treatments or facial oils.
- Apply a pea-size scoop of Vaseline to your skin while it is still somewhat moist from the products. You don’t need a heavy layer—you’re fine as long as you’re covered.
- Cleanse your skin in the morning to remove any excess Vaseline.
Are the Skin Benefits of Slugging?
Slugging may be thought of as a super-hydrating sheet mask, and it’s a terrific alternative for individuals with dry skin, says associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. It can also be a beneficial step for individuals suffering from age-related skin disorders, according to one woman who claims she slugs nightly for this reason. “Reduced barrier repair, reduced hydration, drooping skin, and more visible wrinkles are all signs of ageing. Slugging functions as a buoy to the barrier, keeping water trapped within and the skin plumped “she observes
Its advantages for the skin barrier make it something that people suffering from irritation and eczema should think about, says Dr Zeichner. Y. Claire Chang, M.D., a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, says it’s safe even for individuals with very sensitive skin or eczema.
While petrolatum is not comedogenic, Dr. Camille H-Verovic, a dermatologist in New York City, advises that if you have acne-prone or acne-prone with sensitive skin, you should avoid anything occlusive, including petrolatum. “I would not propose occlusive substances to someone with acne,” H-Verovic said. The problem, according to H-Verovic, emerges when we make broad assertions, which she avoids. According to H-Verovic, using broad generalisations like “x component will cause x” ignores the intricacies in your own skin. What is her recommendation? “Think about why you’re using petrolatum as an occlusive.” In my situation, yes. My skin is parched, and I’ll seize anything I can.
What are the results of slugging skincare
Despite all of the discussion of going to bed coated in mucus didn’t find the process to be particularly sticky, and there were no wetness trails across my pillow the next morning. The improvement in my skin was night and day: splashing water on my face the next morning felt insanely silky, albeit a little strange—your skin feels so smooth that the water practically glides off. However, there is no oil or jelly left once you dry off. Your skin looks silky and lush, and the effect lasts throughout the day.
My face has never been so soft, and the flakes around my lips are a distant memory after a few weeks of slugging. I’d never stop caressing your face if it wasn’t a recipe for catastrophe. Another technique to ensure the safety of your petrolatum? Inquire about the brand’s “USP”—the manufacturer will have it, and certain companies, such as Vaseline, may list it on their packaging. If a brand uses “USP” petrolatum, it meets or exceeds the United States Pharmacopeia’s criteria, indicating that it is suitable for food, drug, or medical use. NDC listings and NDClist.com, on the other hand, are the simplest way to determine the purity of your petrolatum. Vaseline, CeraVe, and Aquaphor are some of my favourite brands.