Korean beauty trends have been increasing in popularity over the years and have provided us with some fascinating trends. One of the more recent trends to have emerged from K-beauty is a skincare treatment known as slugging.
What is slugging?
The good news is that it does not involve any actual slugs. What it entails is coating your face in a thick layer of petroleum jelly or Vaseline before going to bed. The name came to be because said layer resembles the slime a snail leaves behind when it moves, giving the illusion of a snail having crawled over your face.
How do you slug?
When slugging, it is important to make sure your skin is cleansed. You can either just use a cleanser or you can cleanse your skin and do your entire skincare routine as well. You want to make sure you coat your face, but not to layer too many coats over one another. Put the Vaseline on your three middle fingers and apply it evenly over your face before you go to bed. Make sure you sleep with a pillowcase that you do not mind getting dirty.
What is the purpose?
Simply put, the purpose is to hydrate your skin. The layer of jelly acts as a barrier to keep the moisture locked into your skin. You can either do it on its own to keep your skin hydrated or after your usual nightly skincare routine to help the products absorb into your skin better.
Korean beauty trends have been increasing in popularity over the years and have provided us with some fascinating trends. One of the more recent trends to have emerged from K-beauty is a skincare treatment known as slugging.
What is slugging?
The good news is that it does not involve any actual slugs. What it entails is coating your face in a thick layer of petroleum jelly or Vaseline before going to bed. The name came to be because said layer resembles the slime a snail leaves behind when it moves, giving the illusion of a snail having crawled over your face.
How do you slug?
When slugging, it is important to make sure your skin is cleansed. You can either just use a cleanser or you can cleanse your skin and do your entire skincare routine as well. You want to make sure you coat your face, but not to layer too many coats over one another. Put the Vaseline on your three middle fingers and apply it evenly over your face before you go to bed. Make sure you sleep with a pillowcase that you do not mind getting dirty.
What is the purpose?
Simply put, the purpose is to hydrate your skin. The layer of jelly acts as a barrier to keep the moisture locked into your skin. You can either do it on its own to keep your skin hydrated or after your usual nightly skincare routine to help the products absorb into your skin better.
Who should try slugging?
Like with most skincare routines and fads, it is not one size fits all. Because you are using petroleum products, it is not recommended to try slugging if you have oily or acne-prone skin. Y. Claire Chang, M.D., a dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City, has stated that because petroleum jelly is so thick, it can trap dead skin cells into your pores and lead to breakouts. It is best to partake in slugging if you struggle with dry skin and irritation. It is also recommended to try slugging during winter months when your skin is struggling to retain moisture.
What products should you use?
As previously mentioned, you can use Vaseline or regular petroleum jelly. These products, however, can be very oily. Many fans of slugging recommend similar products you can use that have a petroleum base but combine it with other products to take away some of the oiliness and create a lighter layer on the skin. Some good products that use this breakdown are:
- Aquaphor Healing Ointment
- Cerave Healing Ointment
- Dove Expert Repairing Balm
Want to keep your skin hydrated without the hassle of slugging? Check out our Peri Banu moisturizing face cream. Peri Banu is a vegetable squalene based moisturising cream that provides a continuous supply of moisture during the day or night.
