Loads of strange skincare trends have taken the wonder trade by storm. However slugging? Far much less obscure than it sounds. (Trace: There’s a cause you’ve been seeing Vaseline and Aquaphor in every single place.) Seems, making use of a thick moisturizer at night time creates effortlessly glazed pores and skin by day. But when that sounds too good to be true, you’re proper to be cautious—as am I. So, reasonably than going to TikTok for the solutions, I took my inquiries to the specialists.
Featured picture from our interview with Sanetra Nere Longno by Michelle Nash.
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All the things You Have to Know About Slugging
“Slugging is just slathering an occlusive as a ultimate step of your skincare routine to lock in moisture and forestall water loss,” says Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD, a medical advisor and Head of Anti-Ageing for the Health Reporter and a regenerative drugs specialist. “It’s a Ok-beauty development that was popularized by TikTok customers and it really works fairly nicely in the event you do it proper. Whenever you coat your pores and skin with Vaseline, it appears shiny and slimy, extra like a ‘slug’ and that’s the way it will get the identify.”
Equally, “pores and skin flooding” is a brand new development based mostly on layering hydrating merchandise to lock in moisture. The star ingredient of “pores and skin flooding” is hyaluronic acid, adopted by moisturizers and occlusives. And whereas slugging is saved for the nighttime, pores and skin flooding may be achieved each day and night time. By the TikTok-transitive property, slugging might be thought of a type of pores and skin flooding.
By the TikTok-transitive property, slugging might be thought of a type of pores and skin flooding.
Maybe what distinguishes slugging probably the most from different developments is that it’s accepted by dermatologists. Like with all good issues, its magnificence is in its simplicity. Petroleum jelly is a magnificence secret as outdated as time. I personally grew up smearing Vaseline on my face morning and night time. Whereas it might sound scary to grease your face with goopy-textured goo, you is likely to be lacking out on majorly glowy pores and skin.
One more reason slugging has gone mainstream? Its potential advantages for many pores and skin varieties. Whereas it was initially touted as a treatment for dry pores and skin, slugging has highly effective wound-healing capabilities for blemish-prone pores and skin and anti-aging skills for mature pores and skin.
To study extra, I spoke to board-certified dermatologists Rosmy Barrios MD, and dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry.
What is slugging?
Dr. Henry explains. “Skin slugging is using a thick petroleum product that is more occlusive as the last step in your skin routine. Slugging reduces transepidermal water loss, which in turn helps the skin retain moisture better.”
What does slugging do for your skin?
“It’s important to understand that the balance of skin cells and lipids is crucial for your skin barrier,” says Dr. Barrios. “Think of lipids as a glue that keep the outermost layer of your skin intact. Any reduction in lipids compromises your skin, leading to transepidermal water loss. This means the glue gets damaged and your skin’s protective barrier lets the water out. An occlusive like Vaseline jelly can fix that.”
Slugging is also a way to build up your skin barrier and restore a damaged skin microbiome. Plus, while you seal in your skincare routine by slugging, every part you set underneath your ultimate layer works higher.
What are the advantages of slugging?
Softer pores and skin in a single day? Sure, please. Dr. Henry loves the follow as a method for locking in moisture and waking up with hydrated pores and skin within the morning.
Dr. Barrios agrees. “The largest good thing about slugging is that it provides you baby-soft and hydrated pores and skin. By reinforcing your lipid barrier, it strengthens the way in which your pores and skin protects itself. Plus, it improves the effectiveness of your skincare merchandise by appearing as an exterior protecting layer over them.”
What to Look For in Slugging Merchandise
Dr. Henry recommends petroleum-based merchandise. “They don’t seem to be breathable and can lock in moisture to your pores and skin. I like to recommend Vaseline, Aquaphor, or CeraVe Therapeutic Ointment.”
“Search for occlusive elements resembling petrolatum and lanolin to successfully create a protecting barrier over your pores and skin,” says Dr. Barrios. “A easy unscented Vaseline is your finest wager, however you may go for merchandise that include glycerin and hyaluronic acid as nicely. Keep away from merchandise with fragrances as a result of they’ll irritate your pores and skin.”
Who ought to keep away from slugging?
“Keep in mind that slugging is just not for everybody,” warns Dr. Barrios. “In case your pores and skin is acne-prone, slugging can lock in useless pores and skin cells, acne-causing micro organism, and sebum inside your pores and skin and make pimples worse.”
Dr. Henry provides, “As a result of pores and skin slugging makes use of occlusive merchandise, it could clog pores in case you have oily or acne-prone pores and skin. Whereas the merchandise themselves are non-comedogenic, if another merchandise in your routine set off pimples, it’ll lock it in. If in case you have oily or acne-prone pores and skin and need to do pores and skin slugging, I’d suggest utilizing a product like retinol or salicylic acid as a part of your routine.”
Learn how to Incorporate Slugging Into Your Skincare Routine
Slugging must be the final step of your skincare routine. “It’s essential to clean your face totally earlier than you apply Vaseline to your pores and skin as a result of any ingredient of dust or micro organism will probably be unhealthy in your pores and skin,” says Dr. Barrios.
As a result of slugging seals within the merchandise earlier than it, go for a lighter slate of merchandise when slugging. Guarantee they’re all non-comedogenic and watch out with utilizing any actives. And since slugging doesn’t hydrate or moisturize your pores and skin itself, it’s not a substitute in your serums and lotions. That is the place pores and skin flooding is available in. Layering hydrating merchandise could be a godsend in your face in a single day—particularly in the event you embrace a hyaluronic acid serum and an occlusive moisturizer.
When slugging, merchandise must be utilized on this order:
- Cleanser, particularly one with mild exfoliating properties, to slough away useless pores and skin cells and clogged pores
- Toner to prep your pores and skin and gently sweep away any ultimate particles in your pores or on the floor of your pores and skin
- Hydrating serum like Hyaluronic acid
- Another focused serum for discoloration or anti-aging
- Light-weight moisturizer so as to add a moisturizing layer with humectants and nourishing elements
- Slugging skincare merchandise must be used on the finish of your routine
The Finest Slugging Skincare Merchandise to Use in Your Nighttime Routine
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