Social media’s latest trend, “slugging” your skincare products, is being touted as the best moisturizing skincare hack of 2022. But what exactly is slugging? Let’s take a closer look at this viral beauty hack to discover what slugging is all about so that you can decide for yourself whether it’s a skincare trend worth trying!
What Is Slugging?
Slugging is a K-beauty DIY strategy for improving the absorption functionality of your moisturizing skincare products. It involves sealing or locking in your skincare products by applying a thin layer of Vaseline on top of them once they’re applied. The trend embraces the process of occlusion (sealing the skin barrier) to prevent water loss and help your skin maintain moisture while fully absorbing the active ingredients in your products. While coating your face with Vaseline might evoke anxiety at the prospect of turning your face into a shiny, sticky oil slick, the amount of Vaseline recommended for this hack is a mere pea-sized amount.
Pros of Slugging
The process of slugging to lock in your favorite moisturizing products is being promoted as the ultimate solution for those with dry, cracked, and dehydrated skin. Once the Vaseline does its job and your complexion is fully hydrated, there are many other benefits for the look and feel of your skin, including a more youthful appearance, improved elasticity, and a brighter, more even skin tone.
Cons of Slugging
Before you grab a jar of Vaseline and go to town on your skin, there are a few downsides you’ll want to consider. For example, coating your skin with a thin layer of Vaseline seals your moisturizing products, but it also locks in any trapped dirt, oil, dead skin, and makeup. In other words, if your skin is not completely clean and clear before applying the Vaseline, it could cause pimples, acne, and irritation. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you should also be wary of slugging because slathering Vaseline on your skin means adding excess surface oil that you likely don’t need or want.
Steps to Follow if You’re Ready to Slug
- Thoroughly cleanse your skin.
- Apply your moisturizing skincare products as usual.
- Layer a pea-sized dollop of Vaseline above your moisturizer.
Have you tried slugging? Share your experience with us in the comments below!