How To: Skin Care Slugging Without Vaseline

When you go to bed, do you have to lay on your back to avoid your cheek getting stuck to the pillow? Is your face greased up with some vaseline so you wake up looking hydrated? If so, then you may be apart of the trend known as skin care slugging! Even if you have not tried this trend out yet, i’m sure you’ve heard about it by now. I want to discuss slugging skincare benefits and how I “slug” without the use of heavy products.

Slugging Skincare Benefits

The act of slugging has been around for a looonnnggg time in order to achieve that healthy glow and heal dry skin. Originating in South Korea, skincare slugging is done by applying an occlusive layer to the face such as Vaseline in order to reduce TEWL, or transepidermal water Loss. It is called “slugging” because you go to sleep looking shiny and a bit slimy like a slug…ew but also okay queen!!

Vaseline and other petrolatum products such as the Cerave Healing Ointment are used for slugging because they can prevent the most amount of TEWL by working as an occlusive barrer. It reduces tewl up to 99%!! An occlusive like vaseline does not sink into the skin, instead it sits on top because the molecule size is too big to fully penetrate.

Why

As with any skincare trend or routine, it’s not for everyone. This technique is definitely recommended for those with dry, itchy, irritated skin due to lack of moisture and a compromised skin barrier. This is good technique for eczema flare-ups! Maybe you over-exfoliated or you just suffer from chronic dry skin. You don’t want to lose any of the moisture your skin produces – so, seal it in!

But, if you have oily or acne-prone skin then I suggest you skip the slugging with vaseline. Since it is so occlusive, it can end up trapping acne-causing bacteria. Keep reading for my suggestion on slugging for more oily skin types.

Also, if you are using strong actives in your routine such as retinol, you should skip the slugging on those nights. It can actually increase the risk for irritation which defeats the whole purpose of skin care slugging! So, save it for your non-exfoliating routines and layer with soothing hydrators.

Always consult with a dermatologist or licensed esthetician for the best suggestion on your routine.

How To

Skin care slugging should be the last step of your PM routine. Ideally, first you’ll be layering on some fab skincare products fueling your skin with hydrating and soothing ingredients: centella, ceramides, oat extract, hyaluronic acid, beta glucan, etc. Then you apply a thin layer of petrolatum.

Story Time: When I worked at the spa I heard ALL the time… “Well, I just use vaseline every night and nothing else. But my skin is really, really dry…I don’t know why.” Here’s why that kind of routine does not work:

If you are seriously lacking in moisture, then simply putting vaseline and nothing else won’t do much other than prevent you from losing the tiny bit you have. Vaseline does not actually hydrate the skin, it simply serves as an occlusive skin protectant. So, you have to add hydration first in order for this technique to work! This can be just a creamy moisturizer or added serums- but that will allow this process to work and you will see the results the following morning.

My Slugging Routine…Minus the Vaseline

I unintentionally have been following this trend for years now. But, not through slathering on vaseline. I have always had more normal to oily skin so I don’t necessarily need to slug. Still, my skin type does benefit from an occlusive and emollient facial oil as the last step in my nighttime routine. This always leaves me with soft, supple and glowing skin. Here are a few of my favorite facial oils (pictured above)

Herbal Dynamics

Kinship

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Jojoba, argan, and rosehip oils all serve as a lovely occlusive layer to put last in your routine. I always apply 2-3 drops in the palm of my hand, rub them together to warm the oil, and pat into the skin. Then, I will do a quick facial massage to help it melt in if I have the time. I get more benefits out of the skincare products I am applying and my skin really thanks me for it!

Skin Care Slugging Wrap-up

So, have you tried this trend yet? Maybe your mom or grandma has been doing this for as long as you can remember! It’s fun to revisit these techniques and how they become so trendy years and years later.

I hope the facial oil technique is a helpful tip to those who are averse to using a thick petroleum jelly. Even if we change the process a bit here and there-we all want the same thing: glowing, healthy skin!

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