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If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve likely heard of slugging. This viral skin care trend involves coating your face with a thick, occlusive product before bed to lock in moisture, support the skin barrier and wake up with softer, more hydrated-looking skin. But is slugging worth trying regardless of your skin type? Let’s find out.
Slugging involves coating your face in a thick, occlusive product as the last step in your nighttime skin care routine. This balm, often petroleum-based like Vaseline, acts as a physical barrier, sitting on top of your skin care, sealing in hydration and preventing moisture loss. By forming a protective layer over the face, petrolatum helps reduce moisture loss and keeps the skin feeling hydrated. It can also help limit the evaporation of water from moisturizing products applied earlier in your routine.
Sometimes your skin needs a big infusion of moisture, especially in the cold winter months or when it is feeling dry and flaky. Slugging provides that megadose of hydration by locking the products in, so they don’t evaporate overnight. It has become so popular because it helps with:
Because the occlusive product traps moisture on the face for hours, dry, flaky or dehydrated skin responds well to this viral trend. Skin that is rough, peeling or sensitive after over-exfoliation or retinoid use can also benefit from the added moisture and protection.
The process works to prevent transepidermal water loss by keeping moisture in your skin and enhancing the effects of the products you’ve applied to your face. The result is a smooth-looking complexion that has been hydrated through the night, leaving it supple, moist and glowing.
Does slugging cause acne? We asked Dr. Hooman Khorasani, a quadruple board-certified surgeon specializing in dermatological and cosmetic surgery, what happens when you trap excess sebum associated with acne under a heavy occlusive. He explains:
“If your skin is oily or breakout-prone, slugging can work against you. Sealing the surface with petrolatum keeps oil from moving out of the pores, and that warm, oily, closed-off environment is exactly what clogged pores and blackheads need to form.”
If your skin is acne-prone or on the oilier side, consider an alternative to slugging to avoid trapping any extra oil. Layering a hyaluronic acid-based serum like our Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum with a thicker face mask is a moisturizing option that won’t clog your pores.
Those with combination skin should be mindful about where and how often to apply the heavy layer of product. It is best to skip the forehead, nose and chin if those areas produce excess oil or are prone to breakouts. Better yet, spot-slugging only on dry patches is recommended. If you fall into this category, Dr. Khorasani suggests you reserve slugging for isolated dry spots, “keeping it off the T-zone and anywhere you tend to break out," and limit it to a maximum of two nights a week.
Because mature skin loses moisture more easily, adding an occlusive layer to seal in hydration helps mitigate that issue. Deep moisture also temporarily softens the look of dryness-related fine lines and wrinkles, allowing those with mature skin to wake up looking plump and supple.
One word of caution when using actives like retinol or acids: An occlusive layer like Vaseline can “trap” the ingredients, potentially making them stronger and irritating the skin. Be mindful to do one or the other — not both — in one night. Slugging can be helpful if your skin is a bit dry and flaky from those acids.
We recommend slugging with a moisture-sealing leave-on mask or thick moisturizer. The Kombucha Microbiome Leave-On Masque is a rich, slow-absorbing overnight mask that visibly renews the appearance of the skin while supporting the moisture barrier with probiotic ingredients.
Start about 30 minutes before heading to bed to give yourself time to complete the steps. Allow each product a couple of minutes to sink in before moving on to the next.
1. Cleanse your skin. Gently wash with the Firm Skin Acai Cleanser, an ultra-hydrating and antioxidant-rich way to remove impurities from the skin.
2. Exfoliate for extra smoothness. The Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant contains plant extracts to smooth the appearance of the skin without stripping any moisture. Because this exfoliant is rinsed away, it won't remain on the skin beneath the occlusive layer. Avoid leave-on exfoliating acids or retinoids on slugging nights.
3. Hydrate with a spritz. Enjoy a few sprays of our Neroli Age Corrective Hydrating Mist for a refreshing lift.
4. Treat with a serum or essence. We love the Birch Water Purifying Essence to improve the look of hydration. You may also love our Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum for extra moisture.
5. Apply a moisturizer. The lightweight hydration in our Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Hydrator is a perfect boost of hyaluronic acid, which is a moisture magnet for the skin.
6. Apply a face oil. We love the Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil to deeply hydrate the face. Warm up a small dab of this luxurious solid-to-oil formula in your palm and smooth over the entire face.
7. Time to slug! Take a blueberry-sized amount of the Kombucha Microbiome Leave-On Masque, melting it first in your hands and evenly rolling it over the face. Made with shea butter and beeswax, the balm will act as a coating to lock in hydration and prevent moisture evaporation from the skin. Leave the product on while you sleep.
If you sleep with a silk pillowcase, consider switching back to one made of cotton on a slugging night. Another option is to sleep with a soft towel over your pillow.
Adding slugging to your routine may require some planning as you will want to avoid using any actives like AHAs, BHAs or retinoids on a slugging night. As mentioned above, sealing in products intensifies the effects of some skin care products, especially chemical exfoliants. However, layering gentle moisturizers or hydrating serums while slugging is fine.
Removing makeup and dirt is an essential step before you start layering and sealing — you don’t want to trap any debris or oil that has accumulated throughout the day.
Unless tomorrow is hair wash day, we recommend tying up long hair and pinning back your fringe to avoid waking up with oily hair stuck on your face.
How often should you slug your skin? There’s no set schedule for slugging. Start with once a week and adjust based on how your skin responds. If your skin feels comfortable and hydrated, you can gradually incorporate it more often if your skin is dry. Stick to once or twice a week if your skin is combination or acne-prone.
Can you slug if you have sensitive skin? Yes, but introduce slugging slowly and choose a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer or overnight mask. If your skin is irritated or reacting to a product, give it time to recover before trying slugging.
Should you wash your face after slugging? Yes. In the morning, gently cleanse your face to remove the occlusive layer and any excess product before continuing with your daytime skin care routine.
Can you slug other parts of your body? Absolutely. Slugging can be used on particularly dry areas such as the hands, elbows, knees and feet. Apply a moisturizer first, then seal it in with a thin layer of an occlusive product.
How much product should you use for slugging? A little goes a long way. You only need a thin, even layer of an occlusive product to coat the skin. Applying too much can feel heavy and greasy and may increase the chance of transferring product onto your pillow.
Are you interested in adding a clean slugging step to your skin care routine? Visit your nearest Eminence Organics Spa Partner to find out what products will work best for your skin concerns.
Marle Tyrrell is a skin care die-hard, writer and digital marketer based in Melbourne, Australia. She loves contemporary fiction, reality TV and travel, with an ideal day combining all of the above. Armed with a Bachelor of Journalism from Monash University in Melbourne and postg… Read more
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