What is slugging? And can it help my skin?

One of beauty craze’s on TikTok’s is ‘Slugging’ – But What Is It?

We know that TikTok is not the place for beauty advice, but there is no denying that millions view all the crazy trends that appear on it.

Luckily enough though there are a growing number of skin experts who are going on there to debunk the madness and myths, saving Gen Z's skin, from the crazy beauty trends.

One skin trend is Slugging.

Curious to know what it is, or whether this TikTok's craze actually holds some weight? Here’s the lowdown.

What is slugging?

Slugging, it involves coating your entire face in a thick occlusive like Vaseline before bed as the last step in your routine.

The aim is to reduce TEWL (that's trans-epidermal water loss, which in short is the process whereby hydration is lost from the skin). Load up your skin with hydrating serums, mists, and moisturisers; the occlusive nature of Vaseline acts as a 'seal', locking all of that moisture in. Therapist Jules O’Driscoll points out that slugging won't add moisture, it creates an airtight seal to stop you losing it. It gives skin a chance to repair and recuperate.

Is slugging good for the skin?

Plenty of dermatologists and skincare experts attest that for SOME skin (particularly drier) types, it can be a beneficial treatment to occasionally retain moisture. Jules only recommends this method to clients with dry, flaky skin - especially if you're experiencing this after an intense facial treatment, or reaction to a new skincare product.

"If you're prone to acne, this would be a Very, Very occasional add-in,'. 'For others, I'd use it no more than you need to (only when your skin feels compromised). If you've had an aggressive chemical peel, have overdone it with your active ingredients (e.g., too much retinol) and your skin is burning, 'slugging' for a few days could help."

What should I use to slug?

Most of the tik toks use Vaseline and petroleum jelly, that’s a big NO, (for heaps of reasons)

Come for a good facial or Use a quality mask like @ocosmedics sleep mask, Balm or the #ayurvedic, Mango mask. The secret to success is what you layer in to the face then what you use to seal it. Do it right for success 👍