Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Slugging Skincare Trend: Benefits, Risks, and Best Practices
Imagine your skin is like a sponge that loses water when it's dry.
Slugging is like putting a protective blanket over your skin while you sleep.
This blanket is usually made of something like Vaseline or a thick cream.
It stops the water from escaping your skin, so your skin stays super hydrated.
This can help dry or itchy skin feel better and can make your skin look smooth and glowy.
It's like giving your skin an extra drink of water overnight.
However, if your skin is already oily or prone to pimples, this blanket might trap unwanted stuff like oil and dirt, making pimples worse.
So, it's great for dry skin but not usually good for oily skin.
Slugging is a skincare trend involving applying petroleum jelly or thick balms overnight to hydrate skin.
The practice aims to prevent trans-epidermal water loss by creating a physical barrier on the skin.
It can be beneficial for dry, eczema-prone skin, and compromised skin barriers, especially in cold climates.
Individuals with oily or acne-prone skin should avoid slugging as it can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
Precautions include thorough cleansing, using a small amount of product, and performing a patch test before full application.
- Who
- Individuals with dry, eczema-prone, or compromised skin barriers.
- What
- Slugging, a skincare trend involving applying petroleum jelly or thick balms to the face overnight.
- When
- As the final step of a nighttime skincare routine.
- Where
- On the face, particularly beneficial in cold, dry climates.
- Why
- To deeply hydrate the skin, repair the skin barrier, and enhance the effectiveness of other skincare ingredients by preventing water loss.
- What is Slugging
- Applying a layer of petroleum jelly or thick balm to the face overnight as the final step in a nighttime skincare routine.
- Primary Ingredient
- Petroleum jelly (Vaseline), lanolin, or thick skincare balms.
- Mechanism
- Creates a non-porous barrier to prevent trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), thereby intensely hydrating the skin.
- Ideal For
- Dry and eczema-prone skin, compromised skin barriers, and in cold, dry climates.
- Avoid For
- Oily or acne-prone skin due to risk of clogged pores and breakouts.
- Precautions
- Cleanse thoroughly before application, use a pea-sized amount, and perform a patch test first.