Slugging is the next K-Beauty skincare trend going viral on TikTok and amongst beauty influencers. Find out everything you need to know about this new slugging skincare trend that everybody is talking about below.
What Is Slugging?
To put it simply, slugging is the process of applying your night time skincare products followed by Vaseline or Aquaphor to lock in your skincare and let the active ingredients do their job. Applying Vaseline at night has long been a very popular trick used to lock in moisture and reduce wrinkles but it has recently gained in popularity amongst skincare enthusiasts for its ability to create a barrier and effectively prevent most your skincare products from rubbing off on your pillow at night.
Is It Effective And Who Is It Suitable For?
Those who have tried the slugging skincare trend usually swear by it reporting a more moisturised and glowing complexion as well as reduced fine lines and signs of ageing. Many also notice their makeup going on a lot smoother the next day which is most likely due to the fact that the skin is more hydrated and moisturised.
We would recommend this trend if you have dry to normal skin. xxxx explains that Vaseline acts as a skin protectant preventing 99% of transepidermal water loss and thereby helping to repair the skin’s barrier. Like all good things however, it’s best not to overdo it, start slow and see how your skin reacts.
If you’re prone to acne or have oily skin on the other hand, you might want to give this trend a miss as some have reported breaking out. Vaseline and Aquaphor are non-comedogenic which means they will not block out pores but they can still have an occlusive effect on the skin which can aggravate acne in certain individuals.
You can also choose to adopt the slugging skincare trend only around the eye area and leave off the rest of the face. The skin around the eye area is extremely thin which is why this area needs particular TLC. So first apply your eye cream or serum followed by Vaseline or Aquaphor just around the eye area to lock it all in. Just be careful not to get any in your eye and avoid this is you’re very prone to Milia around the eyes.
How Often Should I Do Slugging Skincare?
This is completely up to you. Many swear by doing this as part of their daily skincare routine whilst others only do it sporadically once a week or once a month even. It depends on your skin type and concerns so if you have dry skin, you may want to try daily slugging before going to sleep to see how it affects your skin (just note you may want to have spare pillowcases to change nightly). If you have oily skin, you may want to only use this in winter when your skin will be on the drier side or if you’re on holiday and your skin could do with a bit more hydration after a day at the beach for example. Listening to your skin and taking note of how it reacts to things is really key here.
Slugging Skincare Trend How To
Step 1: Cleanse
The first step with every single skincare routine out there is to cleanse the skin. Think of it as pressing a reset button and giving your skin some breathing space. We usually recommend removing makeup with an oil cleanser or balm and hot clean cloth to melt away foundation, mascara, lipstick etc. We then recommend following this up with a water based cleanser to ensure all traces of makeup and impurities are gone.
Step 2: Serum Time
When it comes to skincare and layering products, the golden rule is always to start with the lighter products first and build your way up to finish on your heaviest product. Layering in a different order means your skincare will be more prone to pilling and would just be a waste of your products. That’s why the first step after cleansing your face should be to apply your serum first and let it fulling sink into the skin. It’s important to always let the previous layer completely absorb into the skin before adding on the next step as that’s another sure fire way to get pilling again.
When it comes to choosing the right serum, always keep in mind your skin type and concerns. Here’s two of our favourite serums owned by female owned or founded businesses for blemish prone/oily skin and dry skin:
Step 3: Moisturise
After applying your serum, you’re going to want to apply your richer moisturiser. Again the right moisturiser will depend on your skin type and concern but we like the below:
Step 4: The Slugging Skincare Trend Shines
After letting your moisturiser absorb into the skin and using clean fingers, apply vaseline in a thin and even layer. Don’t worry about trying to work it into the skin, the aim is for your face to look shiny and like a slug (now you understand where the name slugging comes from!). Just make sure that you rinse off and use a water based cleanser in the morning when you wake up and change your pillowcases the next day.
