I
grew up hearing that to have a great skin you have to get rid of the oils but I guess they were trying to say have and keep a healthy moisture barrier whose duty is to keep in the good stuff in your skin, and the bad stuff out resulting to hydrated, glowing and even skin. So, when I see anyone with a dry skin I wonder what it is like for them building up a moisture barrier.
Over the past couple of months, shiny faces have become prevalent on social media making viral the popular skin care routine “slugging”. The beauty trend has gotten the attention of many due to claims that the beauty routine helps achieve smooth and soft skin.
Here is what you need to know about slugging and not to worry the routine does not involve using real slugs.
What is slugging
Slugging is a Korean inspired beauty skincare routine that involves slathering on petroleum jelly on your face overnight to protect and moisturize your face throughout the night. Petroleum jelly products like the popular household Vaseline or any other petroleum based product is used for this routine. The internet has been buzzing over the past months with praise reports from users who having tried out the beauty routine reported to getting plump, glowing and moisturized skin after the routine. Popular opinion has recorded that the beauty routine locks in moisture and prevents water loss from the skin. The thick, slimy and glossy texture of the petroleum jelly on the face is comparable to a slug’s mucus hence the term “slugging”.
It is no doubt that the Koreans have some of the most popular skincare routine that has been trend-setting in the past years.
Does slugging work?
Petroleum jelly is made up of oils and waxes. The oil and the wax helps trap in moisture in skin by acting as a barrier on the skin. Our first thoughts when we think of petroleum jelly are of no doubt about its moisturizing, soothing and healing properties. I for one grew up with using petroleum jelly for mostly everything ranging from being a body cream to slathering it on wounds and on dry lips etc. the list is endless and I am sure you all can relate with this. So you already know and are aware that petroleum jelly is great and can be applied on skin. The overall purpose of slugging is to lock in hydration because the jelly on the skin insulates the skin and prevents it from losing moisture. Vaseline which is the most popular brand of petroleum jelly has skin repairing properties and it helps to activate the potency of other products applied underneath. When petroleum jelly is combined with humectants which are moisture retaining products like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, slugging becomes more effective.
Reported benefits of slugging include:
⦁ Locking in other products applied underneath as base products
⦁ Decreases appearance of wrinkles by giving face a full look
⦁ Repairs skin moisture barrier
⦁ Healthier and young looking skin
⦁ Moisturized and hydrated glowing skin
The slugging process
Follow the following steps to get your slugging process right.
Step 1: cleanse your face by either washing or wiping
Step 2: apply hydrating and moisturizing products like glycerin or hyaluronic acid on face
Step 3: layer on lotion, oil or a cream night moisturizer to provide another layer of hydration
Step 4: layer on your petroleum jelly (Vaseline or any petroleum based product). Just a pea sized amount can do the magic as well compared to the handful amount applied on social media.
Step 5: sit a few minutes before hitting the sheets.
Step 6: wake up and wash off thoroughly
What the experts are saying
Experts agree with the effectiveness of slugging if it is done the right way which involves applying on humectant and moisturizing products before layering on with petroleum jelly. They have suggested that slugging is most helpful for dry skin or for people who are exposed to dry environmental conditions since dry environments enhances water loss and dryness of skin. Slugging has also been tagged unhealthy for acne-prone skin since petroleum jelly may or may not be comedogenic thereby trapping in oil and clogging the skin pores which in turns irritate acne-prone skin and contribute to breakouts. Slugging are also said to be most effective in colder months or seasons since that is the time your skin loses most of its moisture.
All in all, slugging could be dependent on your skin type or skin concerns. For dry skin, slugging several times a week or daily can be helpful but for oily skin, you might want to do it less often or only during winter.
Slugging tips
⦁ Slugging should be done only at night except in cold and dry environments where you are trying to lock in your skin moisture, then a pea size can be applied during the day and this can be uncomfortable since the face will attract dust easily. Otherwise, it is best applied at night so you can lock in moisture and other skin products while you sleep.
⦁ Always apply on a moisturizer before you slug. Since petroleum jelly builds a barrier to ensure moisture does not get in or out of the skin so, if there isn’t any moisture provided on the skin then the jelly will not be doing much other that clogging your pores so it is important to moisturize your skin first before slugging to prevent your base product from drying off your skin.
⦁ Vaseline is a cheap product that is very accessible to everyone and can be found at any drugstore compared to other luxury petroleum based products. This works well for your slugging routine.
⦁ Slugging consistently can hasten results. Making slugging a night time beauty routine consistently for at least 4 to 6 weeks increases skin moisture repair in no time and since your skin cannot be repaired overnight, consistent use is advised.
You can try out the beauty routine and let me know how it worked out for your overall skin health.
I will do same and keep you posted. Thank you.