Skin Care Trend - Slugging

If you’ve been near TikTok or InstaGram in the last 6 months, chances are you’ve seen something on there called slugging. These videos claim that slugging has helped them to have perfect skin. This skin care trend originated in South Korea and has recently taken the United States by storm. Today, let’s talk a little bit about what it is, how it works for the skin, and if it causes breakouts.

What is slugging?

After washing your face for the night, you coat your skin with a thin layer of vaseline. When you do this, your skin will have a shine to it … that looks a little like a slug. (Yes, the bug.) Which is why it is called slugging. You can leave it on overnight OR do it just like you would a mask. Apply for a short period of time (up to 2-3 hours) and gently wash off.

How does it work for the skin?

Vaseline will help trap the moisture in the skin, preventing it from escaping. If you are dry, or you’ve tried over correcting your skin by using too many ingredients (you’ll know because your skin could feel more sensitive), this trend could definitely work for you and it’s worth a shot.

Will rubbing Vaseline all over my face make me break out?

For most clients, the simple answer is no. The molecule size of Vaseline is too big to enter the pores.

But if you are oily, you might want to rethink this one. You need the oil to be able to have a way out of your skin and not irritate the follicles underneath.

Bottom line. If you are seeing your Esthetician regularly, the number one goal for them is to make sure that your skin is working properly … the natural barrier function. The main job of the skin is to hold a secure barrier with lipids and prevent any bad guys from entering (ie - free radicals, UV radiation, bacteria, toxins, you name it!) If your skin is struggling to do that job, it cannot work on the other things you’d like to accomplish.

Do NOT over process your skin by using too many acids. Too much of a good thing is a bad thing.

If your skin is dry and you’d like to have a go at this new and popular trend, I say, why not.

Don’t forget to

Breathe. Let Go. Relax.

Zoey Jolley, LE