FYI: It doesn’t have anything to do with slugs
I remember going to bed after lathering Vaseline Petroleum Jelly all over my face, elbows, knees, and feet at my grandmother’s house in the winter when I was little- and that’s slugging, which has 1.4 billion views on TikTok but has been practiced for decades before it became an internet phenomenon and was first seen on a Reddit post in 2014.
What is slugging?
We can thank K-Beauty for this viral trend that is actually great for dry skin, especially in the winter, where we use petroleum jelly as the last step in your skincare routine to help seal in the skincare products and also prevent TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss). Slugging is using occlusives as the final step to create a protective barrier for the skin and help soothe irritated skin.
ALSO READ: Best products for dry skin
Benefits of slugging
· It helps prevent TEWL, so it keeps your skin hydrated.
· It protects your skin barrier from external elements like dry air caused by indoor temperatures or chilly outdoors.
· It repairs the skin barrier by restoring lipid levels, moisturizing skin, and maintaining elasticity.
Who shouldn’t try slugging?
If you’re prone to acne, slugging must not be the best idea for you, as occlusive products can clog pores and worsen your acne. It may work if you’re able to find a non-comedogenic occlusive product, but I’d recommend being cautious.
Best products for slugging:
