Your thoughts probably don’t immediately go to glowing and youthful skin when you hear the word “slug.” Slugs are notoriously known for having dull and lifeless skin. However, a beauty hack that has gone viral and is known as “slugging,” which includes covering your face with a thin layer of a product that is derived from petroleum, such as Vaseline, maybe the solution to your concerns over your skincare routine. You read it correctly: the holy grail product that might offer you skin that is firm, hydrated, and free of wrinkles may already be sitting in the medical cabinet in your home. Continue reading to find out more about slugging and to decide if it’s something you want to try for yourself.
What is slugging?
Slugging, which got its start in the South Korean beauty market in the year 2020 and made its way to the United States through social media platforms like TikTok, was given its name for the slimy texture that it initially provides your skin (I know it sounds revolting But bear with me). Its ease of use (just one product is required), its availability (Vaseline isn’t exactly rare or expensive), and, most likely, the fact that it is innovative all contributed to its meteoric rise in popularity. How amusing is it to say “Time to slug?” in this context?
The final phase of your evening skincare routine should consist of applying Vaseline or another product containing petroleum to your freshly washed face. This is the slug. It is believed that using this procedure will increase the skin’s moisture, which will provide anti-aging effects. Although the term “slugging” has only been used for a short while, the behavior has been around for far longer. “Slugging is truly nothing new; we simply lacked a catchy word for it at the time… Chloe Savvides, a medical aesthetician, told Prevention that slugging may be thought of as the original anti-aging moisturizer. “We can think of slugging as the OG anti-aging moisturizer.” One user of TikTok named @CaitKiernan claims that Martha Stewart was slugging long before it became trendy:
Why should I try slugging?
You might be curious as to the reasons behind and mechanisms behind the efficacy of slugging. This practice may have specific benefits for older people’s skin, even though it is extremely popular on TikTok. According to Haley Wood, nurse practitioner and proprietor of The Look, an aesthetic nonsurgical rejuvenation clinic, “As we age, our skin loses its capacity to retain moisture, which leads to less hydration and more fine lines and wrinkles over time.” Therefore, if you are concerned about wrinkles, maintaining adequate hydration is essential. Wood says, “the petroleum jelly functions as a protective barrier to lock in moisture and prevent water loss.” [citation needed] As a consequence, the skin retains its natural moisture and volume, which makes it look like there is less skin drooping.
According to Good Housekeeping, products based on petroleum are occlusives, which means they are effective at preventing moisture from escaping the skin. These are distinct from humectants, which are moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid that deliver water to the skin. Therefore, if you want the best possible effects from your nighttime skincare routine, it is recommended that you first apply an occlusive after you have used a humectant. In this manner, you are attracting and retaining moisture in the environment.
If you are hesitant about using petroleum jelly on your face, you need not be concerned about doing so. It does not clog pores and is suitable for use on sensitive skin. “We use it on wounds all the time since it speeds up the healing period and is better, cheaper, and has fewer side effects than stuff like Neosporin and Bacitracin,” a dermatologist named Dr. Kavita Mariwalla told InStyle.
How can I start slugging?
Do you want to fight? (This is a question that has never occurred to me in the past.) The following is a guide provided by @KellieAnnBeauty, who is a user of TikTok, on how to attain soft and smooth skin with this method:
There are a few things you should be aware of before you start slugging. Wood cautions, “Remember that slugging isn’t for everyone” when discussing the sport. This is not the trend you want to follow if you have skin that is prone to acne. But if your skin is severely dry and you’re an older adult, giving it a try could be beneficial. She also mentions that constant use is required to notice benefits, and she suggests slugging “no more than twice a week.” [citation needed] If you are prone, Dr. Mariwalla advises that you should not include any AHA acids or retinoids in your routine since petroleum could accelerate the absorption of these ingredients to excessively high levels, which could irritate. CeraVe Healing Ointment (Buy from Amazon, $10.49) and Aquaphor Healing Ointment (Buy from Amazon, $15.19) are both well-liked options in addition to the classic variety of Vaseline (which can be purchased from Amazon for $3.65).
Are you ready to check out this hack that has gone viral? Put some on your face and down it. If you’re not going to bed looking like a glazed doughnut, you’re not doing it right, as the Twitter user @KellieAnnBeauty puts it.
