March 29, 2024
Skin slugging
Skin slugging is a trending skincare routine, especially to beat the harsh winters and repair the skin barrier overnight. Here's an article on how the iconic petroleum jelly Vaseline is now a part of the much-coveted skincare trend.

Vaseline – Does it ring a bell? Maybe, memories of your grandma or mother slathering Vaseline petroleum jelly on your skin – the slimy warrior to rescue the winter chill. Vaseline and winters were kind of tied to the hip back in the day. Slimy, oily, and just the kind of thing that keeps off the winter dryness at bay is now used to build a strong moisture barrier. Do not believe us? You will soon as you continue reading.

Little did we know that the iconic vaseline will now become a viral TikTok trend #skinslugging. Vaseline is now used as a precursor for smoother, shinier, and well-hydrated skin that maintains the skin barrier. With influencers and beauty buffs from across the world jumping into the not-so-new skin slugging trend, we club together the do’s and don’ts – and the right way to try the trend.

What is Skin Slugging?

Skincare trends come and go and skincare experts debunk a plethora of these backed by science. But, one trend that’s worth the hype or let’s say approved by a dermatologist is – Skin slugging. It is a simple skincare trend that involves applying a layer of petroleum jelly or Vaseline on your face. As per dermatologists, people with dry skin should graduate to the next level and ditch the cold cream for Vaseline to heal dry skin.

Skin slugging hence involves a process of covering the face overnight with an occlusive product like Vaseline petroleum jelly or heavy cream-based moisturiser. The intention is to keep the moisture intact and prevent transdermal water loss. The old-school product is now a slugging staple, and here’s how to do the lipid spread on your face the right way.

Do’s and Don’ts of Skin Slugging 

As much as skin slugging help maintain the moisture barrier, it needs to be done the right way. Let’s get into the dos of skin slugging first, shall we?

The Do’s

Make sure your skin is super-clean before slugging it with an occlusive product. It’s best to pair slugging skincare routine with products enriched with glycerin, aloe vera, or hyaluronic acid. Here are the steps to follow for skin slugging:

  • Cleanse
  • Exfoliate
  • Moisturize with a humectant-based product
  • Apply the slugging product (occlusive)

Our recommendation for Aloe-Vera ProductBubblefarm Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera Gel by Bubble Farm
Aloe Vera Gel by Bubble Farm

The Don’ts

If you have oily skin or acne-prone skin, skin slugging is not for you. The petroleum-based ointment is non-comedogenic and generally does not clog the pores. However, what you apply before layering the skin with occlusive product impacts the clogging of pores. Avoid using an oil-based serum or other product if you follow slugging.

Avoid using retinol-based serum or moisturizer for skin slugging. Also, it is advised not to use products with active ingredients like AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) or BHA (beta-hydroxy acids) with slugging. Slugging should be best paired with humectants like aloe vera or hyaluronic acid.

Our recommendation for hyaluronic serum – Conscious Chemist Hydro+ Multi Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Conscious Chemist Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Conscious Chemist Hyaluronic Acid Serum

Advantages of Skin Slugging 

Vaseline acts as an occlusive that locks in moisture by preventing almost 99% transepidermal water loss. For anyone with extremely dry skin, layering your skin with the final layer of occlusive seals the skin and forms a nearly impermeable barrier. This helps in repairing the skin barrier and healing dry skin. Occlusive is like watering thirsty skin and is just the right way to keep the moisture intact.

However, listen to your skin and do slugging only if your skin loves the attention of occlusive. If you have dry skin, it is safe to say that you can go for skin slugging 3 to 4 times a week, but restrict it to bedtime skincare. However, for oily skin once a week is fine to repair the barrier.

Have you tried the viral trend yet? Let us know in the comment if your skin approves of the skin-slugging trend.

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