Loads of unusual skincare traits have taken the sweetness business by storm. However slugging? Far much less obscure than it sounds. (Trace: There’s a motive you’ve been seeing Vaseline and Aquaphor in all places.) 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, fairly than going to TikTok for the solutions, I took my inquiries to the consultants.
Featured picture from our interview with Sanetra Nere Longno by Michelle Nash.
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Every little thing You Have to Know About Slugging
“Slugging is just slathering an occlusive as a remaining step of your skincare routine to lock in moisture and stop water loss,” says Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD, a medical advisor and Head of Anti-Growing old for the Well being Reporter and a regenerative drugs specialist. “It’s a Ok-beauty development that was popularized by TikTok customers and it really works fairly effectively should you do it proper. Whenever you coat your pores and skin with Vaseline, it seems to be 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 primarily based 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 performed each day and night time. By the TikTok-transitive property, slugging may very well be thought-about a type of pores and skin flooding.
By the TikTok-transitive property, slugging may very well be thought-about a type of pores and skin flooding.
Maybe what distinguishes slugging essentially the most from different traits is that it’s permitted 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 Petroleum jelly is a magnificence secret as outdated as time.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 may be lacking out on majorly glowy pores and skin.
Another excuse slugging has gone mainstream? Its potential advantages for many pores and skin sorts. 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 talents for mature pores and skin.
To be taught extra, I spoke to board-certified dermatologists Rosmy Barrios MD, and dermatologist Dr. Michelle Henry.
What’s slugging?
Dr. Henry explains. “Pores and skin slugging is utilizing a thick petroleum product that’s extra occlusive because the final step in your pores and skin routine. Slugging reduces transepidermal water loss, which in flip helps the pores and skin retain moisture higher.”
What does slugging do to your pores and skin?
“It’s vital to grasp that the stability of pores and skin cells and lipids is essential to your pores and skin barrier,” says Dr. Barrios. “Consider lipids as a glue that maintain the outermost layer of your pores and skin intact. Any discount in lipids compromises your pores and skin, resulting in transepidermal water loss. This implies the glue will get broken and your pores and skin’s protecting barrier lets the water out. An occlusive like Vaseline jelly can repair that.”
Slugging can also be a solution to construct up your pores and skin barrier and restore a broken pores and skin microbiome. Plus, while you seal in your skincare routine by slugging, the whole lot you set below your remaining layer works higher.
What are the advantages of slugging?
Softer pores and skin in a single day? Sure, please. Dr. Henry loves the observe as a technique for locking in moisture and waking up with hydrated pores and skin within the morning.
Dr. Barrios agrees. “The most important good thing about slugging is that it provides you baby-soft and hydrated pores and skin. By reinforcing your lipid barrier, it strengthens the best way your pores and skin protects itself. Plus, it improves the effectiveness of your skincare merchandise by performing as an exterior protecting layer over them.”
What to Look For in Slugging Merchandise
Dr. Henry recommends petroleum-based merchandise. “They aren’t 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 similar to petrolatum and lanolin to successfully create a protecting barrier over your pores and skin,” says Dr. Barrios. “A easy unscented Vaseline is your greatest guess, however you may go for merchandise that comprise glycerin and hyaluronic acid as effectively. 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 shouldn’t be for everybody,” warns Dr. Barrios. “In case your pores and skin is acne-prone, slugging can lock in lifeless 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 might clog pores you probably have oily or acne-prone pores and skin. Whereas the merchandise themselves are non-comedogenic, if some other merchandise in your routine set off pimples, it’s going to lock it in. When you’ve got oily or acne-prone pores and skin and wish to do pores and skin slugging, I’d advocate utilizing a product like retinol or salicylic acid as a part of your routine.”
The right way to Incorporate Slugging Into Your Skincare Routine
Slugging must be the final step of your skincare routine. “It’s vital to scrub your face completely earlier than you apply Vaseline to your pores and skin as a result of any factor of filth or micro organism shall be unhealthy to 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 alternative to your serums and lotions. That is the place pores and skin flooding is available in. Layering hydrating merchandise is usually a godsend to your face in a single day—particularly should you embrace a hyaluronic acid serum and an occlusive moisturizer.
When slugging, merchandise must be utilized on this order:
- Cleanser, particularly one with light exfoliating properties, to slough away lifeless pores and skin cells and clogged pores
- Toner to prep your pores and skin and gently sweep away any remaining particles in your pores or on the floor of your pores and skin
- Hydrating serum like Hyaluronic acid
- Some other 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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