Skin Slugging for Beginners: 9 Tips and Products

If you’re an avid scroller of beauty TikTok (or even TikTok in general), chances are you’ve come across skin slugging. While this skincare ritual is nothing new, it’s back in full force thanks to social media and it has people fascinated and wondering: Does it work? Should I do it? And what exactly is skin slugging? We’re answering all your questions in today’s post, plus sharing the best tips and products for slugging your skin at home.

What is Skin Slugging?

Skin slugging is a moisturizing technique that involves applying a heavy duty occlusive ointment, usually petroleum, to the skin over a thin layer of moisturizer or hydrating serum. This is typically done overnight, but you can also opt to do it for a few hours during the day if sleeping with Vaseline on your face doesn’t sound appealing to you. Slugging has been around for many years (it originated in South Korea) but has recently exploded thanks to TikTok and other social media platforms. Occlusives such as petroleum jelly create a barrier to keep hydration from evaporating off of the skin. They seal in moisture, making them especially beneficial for super dry skin.

Keep in mind, slugging isn’t for everyone. While those with dry skin can benefit from regular slugging, those with oily skin should consider slugging less or not at all. And if you have acne, you should stay away from it altogether as slugging can make any active breakouts even worse. Your slugging frequency may also depend on the weather. If you notice your skin becomes drier and more irritated in the colder months, it may be helpful during that time of year. Always listen to your skin and do it as often or as minimally as needed.

6 Benefits of Skin Slugging

Moisturize retention and skin hydration
Helps restore the skin barrier
Prevents surface water loss
Helps your serum or moisturizer penetrate your skin more effectively
Leaves skin soft, hydrated, and smooth
Protects your skin from damaging elements

5 Best Skin Slugging Products

Vaseline: Vaseline is an occlusive (creates a physical barrier on top of the skin). It’s 100% petroleum and doesn’t contain any oils or other ingredients.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment: Aquaphor is both a humectant (promotes the retention of moisture in the skin) and an occlusive. This means it may be more effective in keeping the skin moisturized than Vaseline, however, it does include other ingredients so could be irritating for more sensitive skin.
CeraVe Healing Ointment: This is a petroleum-based occlusive balm with hyaluronic acid, another super moisturizing ingredient to leave skin hydrated. It also contains three essential ceramides to restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
Lanolin: Lanolin is a naturally occurring oil and mimics the natural oils of the skin. It holds 400% of its weight in moisture, while also creating a breathable barrier for the skin, making it ideal for slugging.
REN Overnight Recovery Balm: This nightly ointment is a lightweight yet rich and non-greasy sleep balm that works to repair the skin barrier. It’s formulated with a lipid-rich complex of oils that minimize water loss and regenerate your skin overnight.

How to Do Skin Slugging at Home

1. Always Start with Clean Skin
Since slugging seals in whatever’s on top of the skin, it can trap dirt and bacteria if it hasn’t been cleaned off properly. Make sure to thoroughly cleanse your skin with micellar water and then a cleanser. The Youth to People Superfood Facial Cleanser removes buildup that clogs pores and leaves your skin clean without stripping it. Properly cleansing your skin will ensure that slugging doesn’t trap dirt and impurities that can lead to breakouts.

2. Exfoliate
Exfoliating your skin is another step you can take to ensure that bacteria, dead skin cells, and other impurities are wiped from your skin. Breakouts and even skin infections can happen if these particles are trapped under the occlusive. Just make sure you’re using an exfoliant that you wash off, as leaving on chemical exfoliants under the occlusive can cause skin irritation. Try the Beekman 1801 Milk Scrub Oat and Goat Milk Exfoliating Facial Cleanser, which contains jojoba beads. It gently scrubs and polishes the skin, removing dirt and oil. If you prefer chemical exfoliators, use them the day/night before you slug and never on slugging nights.

3. Pair Slugging with Hydrating Ingredients
Before you apply your occlusive agent, make sure your skin is well moisturized. Slugging itself doesn’t add moisture, it retains the hydrating products and helps them penetrate deeper into the skin. If you simply add an occlusive after you cleanse your skin, it will seal in the dryness. Look for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe-based products for ultimate hydration. Once you’ve applied a layer of serum or moisturizer, seal it in with your chosen occlusive.

4. What to Avoid
Steer clear of using active ingredients such as AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), or retinoids when slugging at night. If these actives get trapped, their concentration becomes intensified, which could have harmful effects on the skin. By sealing in ingredients that could irritate the skin, you’re increasing the risk of sensitivity to your complexion, which further diminishes the moisture barrier. Always pair slugging with hydrating ingredients like the ones we highlight above.

5. Overnight Prep
Complete the skin slugging process about 30 minutes before bed to allow the products to seep into your skin. Even doing this, it can still get messy. Consider keeping your hair back with a headband or sleep cap, and place a towel over your pillowcase. You can also swap out your good linens for backups if you have ones you don’t mind getting grease marks on. When you wake up, cleanse your skin well to remove any excess product and gently pat dry with a clean towel.

If you’ve always wanted to try skin slugging, try out these tips and products for soft, glowing, and hydrated skin come morning!

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