Very dry and dehydrated skin can benefit from slugging, the new skincare technique that involves applying an occlusive product such as petroleum jelly at the end of your evening routine. Let's see how it works, for which skin types it is recommended, and in which cases it is best to avoid it.
WHAT IS SLUGGING SKINCARE? CAN IT CAUSE ACNE?
Slugging is the latest skincare trend made famous by social media.
It is essentially a widespread custom, particularly in Korea, which consists of spreading a layer of pure petroleum jelly on the face after skincare.
Slugging involves the application of an occlusive product which, it seems, helps to maintain skin hydration because it traps moisture in the skin, preventing water from evaporating.
Those with very dry skin or who suffer from dermatitis and eczema claim that slugging is a life-changing TikTok trend, significantly improving the appearance of their complexion.
Experts warn, however, that if not done correctly, slugging can cause acne and therefore be counterproductive.
There are now countless beauty and skincare trends on social media that promise to give us flawless skin; the latest is called slugging. The translation of slugging should not be literal, as snails have nothing to do with this skin hydration technique: it takes its name from the very greasy final effect it gives the skin. Slugging is the application of an occlusive product at the end of your routine, such as petroleum jelly, which seals products into the skin, blocking water evaporation.
But for whom is slugging recommended? Is petroleum jelly good or bad for the skin? Read on below to discover everything you need to know.
HOW THE SLUGGING TREND EMERGED AND WHAT IT SPECIFICALLY CONSISTS OF
This is not the first time the skincare world has talked about the slugging procedure, but thanks to social media, this practice has recently spread like wildfire and there are now many beauty enthusiasts sharing it with their followers, especially on TikTok.
Looking at social media, in fact, it seems to be a miracle remedy in the fight against dry skin.
Specifically, slugging consists of applying a generous layer of petroleum jelly, an occlusive product, to the skin of the face after your usual evening skincare routine. It is therefore recommended as a substitute for night masks.
The use of a product that clogs pores might immediately make you think of acne: in reality, according to those who have tried this method, slugging only causes acne if it is not executed well, so much so that experts agree, and warn against practicing it without the various precautions necessary to avoid breakouts.
WHY SLUGGING WORKS FOR DRY SKIN, MAKING IT MORE HYDRATED
But why can slugging dry, flaky skin really be a discovery? Ladies, the explanation is simpler than you think.
SLUGGING HELPS DRY SKIN
The reason skin dries out is that the hydrating substances present on the skin, primarily water, tend to evaporate: this is a completely normal process that cannot be stopped, except by using a product that clogs the pores.
Slugging therefore works precisely because petroleum jelly has an occlusive effect on the skin, preventing normal exchange between the external environment and the skin.
In general, therefore, dry skin and petroleum jelly go very well together, because spreading petroleum jelly on the face after skincare allows you to seal in the work done by your hydrating products. However, slugging cannot only be done on the skin of the face, quite the contrary!
Applying petroleum jelly to your lips after using a hydrating or nourishing product helps to make them softer, as it ensures that the lip balm or mask is actually absorbed by the skin.
WHICH SKIN TYPES SHOULD TRY THE SLUGGING TECHNIQUE AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU USE PETROLEUM JELLY AS THE LAST STEP OF YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE.
At this point, it is natural to ask which skin types benefit most from slugging. The answer is not simple, ladies, because it all depends on the condition of the skin at the time you use this technique.
Although it can indeed help fight skin dryness, psoriasis, or dermatitis, it should not become your standard evening skincare norm.
Experts recommend using slugging as needed and never overdoing it, not exceeding 2 or 3 applications per week.
Petroleum jelly is safe for the skin, even though it is derived from petroleum: all skincare ingredients and products go through several strict checks and safety protocols before being put on the market. Choosing a product tested for the skin will therefore not result in any surprises and will not increase skin impurities.
However, petroleum jelly can cause acne if it is used on skin that has not been properly cleaned or on skin that is too oily and congested.
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF SLUGGING, WHEN EXPERTS ADVISE AGAINST IT
If you suffer from acne, rosacea, or have extremely sensitive skin, you should avoid slugging.
Experts actually recommend other techniques to maintain hydration for a long time, such as using a face oil as the last step of your skincare routine, or using overnight face masks.
SLUGGING IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CERTAIN SKIN TYPES
There is also a school of thought that suggests letting the skin breathe as much as possible at night, avoiding petroleum jelly or occlusive products. Furthermore, special attention must be paid to evening skincare when slugging: if the skin is not deeply cleansed, and if makeup residues and dirt are not removed, petroleum jelly will trap them in the skin, which can lead to the appearance of pimples and impurities.
You must therefore be very careful to clean your skin before applying petroleum jelly.