Skincare and beauty TikTok is constantly plugging us with a new trend, craze or hack to try.
We must admit though, more often than not, we can’t resist the urge to see what all the fuss is about. So we jump on the trend just to see for ourselves if it's worth the hype (at least, this is what I do).
One such trend is the viral beauty hack known as slugging. With promises of providing an overnight glow, dewiness and hydration to the face, slugging refers to the process of trapping moisture into the skin.
Although it's been popularised as a face treatment, this little beauty trick is suitable for other parts of the body too - from your lips to ankles.
The way it works is simple: After cleansing and applying your nightly serum or moisturizer the way you normally would, seal in the moisture with an occlusive agent, such as a thin layer of Vaseline. This should stay on overnight, to allow the hydration to soak into the skin.
If you’re out of Vaseline, any petroleum-based ointment can work. Petroleum is occlusive, meaning it creates an insoluble barrier over the skin, which seals in the moisture from products underneath it.
According to dermatologist Dr Shari Marchbein, dermatologists have technically been slugging for years. “We just didn’t come up with a cute name for it,” she says.
Dr Marchbein recommends using just a small amount of your petroleum-based product, and those with oily skin also need to beware.
“If you're trapping things and occluding the skin, there is definitely a potential for breakouts," she says. Instead, you can use a more targeted approach by only slugging on those dehydrated or eczema-prone spots.
“If you're acne-prone but want a similar effect, I would use a creamy moisturizer instead of petrolatum. Look for ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and dimethicone. And then you can spot treat with Vaseline where you're drier," she adds. And remember to always keep the petroleum layer thin.
Happy slugging!
