Previously this yr, a new skin care development named slugging exploded in recognition on TikTok. The pattern designed a frenzy amid natural beauty advocates and went viral on the social network due to claims that it can make skin easy and soft — even though wanting (and sounding) super gross.
Never worry, this method doesn’t use any actual slugs. Slugging requires an low-cost home product that your grandma constantly has in her toilet: petroleum jelly.
This is everything you require to know about this gooey pores and skin treatment pattern.
What is slugging?
Slugging is a Korean magnificence skin care practice that signifies slathering petroleum jelly on your deal with. You can use any merchandise from Aquaphor to CeraVe to Vaseline in get to moisturize and secure the deal with right away. Videos of this splendor system — which are likely to truly overdo the quantity they set on — have gone viral on TikTok, with more than 500 million views to day underneath the hashtag #slugging. Quite a few TikTok consumers who have tried using it out for them selves report results such as plump, glowing and moisturized skin.
@edwardzo TikTok designed me consider it: Slugging (w/ @cetaphilusa’s new healing ointment) 🐌 #skincare101#skintok#slugging#skinbarrier#cetaphil#cetaphilpartner♬ primary sound – EdwardZO
The slugging method
Phase 1: Cleanse your deal with.
Phase 2: Pile on hydrating solutions, this kind of as hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
Action 3: Incorporate a nightly moisturizer, like a lotion, oil or product.
Action 4: Load on your occlusive, or the petroleum jelly: Vaseline, CeraVe, Aquaphor or a different brand. (Though you will see TikTokers using a total handful for remarkable effect, you can use as tiny as a pea-sizing amount of money to see added benefits.)
Step 5: Wait a few minutes before getting into mattress.
Sergey Mironov/Minute/Getty Pictures
Intended positive aspects of slugging
Petroleum jelly is composed of oils and waxes that act as a barrier on the pores and skin, trapping humidity beneath. Scientific studies have revealed that Vaseline — just one of the most popular models of petroleum jelly — has homes that may well enable fix your skin’s outermost layer. In addition to holding the pores and skin moisturized, petroleum jelly can boost the efficiency of other products utilized beneath.
Slugging is most powerful when put together with humectants (a dermatology term for components that retain moisture), these kinds of as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or urea.
Noted slugging gains include:
- Moisturized, glowing pores and skin
- More healthy, young-seeking skin
- Repaired skin barrier
- Locking in other merchandise
- Diminished look of wrinkles
What do the authorities say?
Dermatologists are not stunned by this craze, supplied that Vaseline has been a common magnificence product or service for decades. They already know how occlusives (this kind of as petroleum jelly) successfully lock in dampness to preserve pores and skin hydrated and plump.
Board-qualified New York dermatologist Dr. Hadley King agrees with the usefulness of slugging as very long as you “do it the suitable way.”
“Very first apply a item or solutions that incorporate humectants and emollients (moisturizing substances), then include other occlusives. You can start with a serum made up of humectants and insert a encounter oil with emollients,” she said. “The previous stage would be slugging petrolatum as the occlusive. Alternatively, you could apply a moisturizer that includes humectants, emollients and occlusives, and then for excess occlusive homes, implement the slugging petrolatum.”
According to King, the slugging skin treatment development is most handy for all those with dry skin or those who are often uncovered to dry problems provided that “a dry surroundings will exacerbate transepidermal h2o loss and dryness of the skin.”
Even now, King recommends remaining careful when applying occlusives on top rated of topical medicines because it could boost the efficiency, producing adverse consequences.
Slugging just isn’t for everybody. according to Dr. Debra Jaliman, board-accredited New York skin doctor and writer of the book Pores and skin Rules. “Slugging right before you go to slumber is fantastic if you have extremely dry pores and skin, but not a superior concept for acne breakouts-susceptible pores and skin,” Jaliman reported. “Slugging can perhaps lure oils and clog the skin’s pores and primarily irritate acne breakouts-inclined pores and skin, contributing to breakouts.”
She went on to say: “If you are not zits-vulnerable, some very good products and solutions you can use for slugging are CeraVe therapeutic ointment and Aquaphor.” Echoing King’s advice, Jaliman also suggests utilizing a product or service that hydrates, moisturizes and shields all in one: “Personally, I would suggest applying a thick cream this sort of as CeraVe moisturizing cream that has ceramides and hyaluronic acid.”
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Slugging ideas
Apply only at evening
Except you might be in an exceptionally chilly and dry surroundings, it is finest to apply only at night time. That way, you can lock in moisture and other pores and skin care items when you slumber. (Otherwise, you will be going for walks all over all day with slimy pores and skin.)
Mix with your nightly moisturizer
Vaseline is effective by preventing dampness from getting in or out. If there is no dampness on the pores and skin to start out with, making use of petroleum jelly will never present much profit. For the very best outcomes, it’s essential to load up your skin with hydrating and moisturizing solutions initial, then slather your slugging merchandise on best to continue to keep humidity from evaporating off your pores and skin.
Drugstore or large-conclusion solutions will work
Vaseline is a low-priced product that can be discovered at any drugstore, but if you might be searching for luxury products with extra moisturizing homes, King suggests Ghost Democracy Ceramide Cream. “It has ceramides, lipids, squalane and murumuru seed butter to help the skin barrier and lock in moisture. You could increase heavier occlusives on top if preferred,” she mentioned.
King also recommends Innbeauty Project Everyday Moisturizer. “With ceramides, triglycerides, shea butter, squalane, dimethicone and fatty acids and fatty alcohols, this supports the pores and skin barrier and locks in moisture.”
Use regularly to see final results
Darnisha Monson, a licensed esthetician, suggests generating slugging a portion of your nighttime skincare program. In buy to see final results, you have to have to slug regularly for 4 to 6 months. Slugging can’t repair service your skin or your skin’s physical appearance overnight.
Best if employed in the wintertime
The colder months are the moments when our pores and skin loses the most humidity. Slugging will be far more helpful in winter season and in environments that are harsh on the pores and skin. Occlusives can even safeguard in opposition to windburn in the course of your winter season ski journeys.
The information and facts contained in this posting is for academic and informational reasons only and is not meant as wellbeing or clinical guidance. Constantly consult with a physician or other certified wellbeing service provider with regards to any inquiries you may perhaps have about a health care problem or health and fitness goals.
