What Is Slugging? Learn Why This Skincare Trend Revolutionizes Moisturizing

You’re likely used to seeing new skincare trends on social media. People are always looking for the latest ways to take care of themselves, which is what inspired the first people who tried slugging. Read about what slugging is to determine if it’s right for your skincare routine. It could be a useful strategy for your self-care if your dry skin needs a helping hand.

What Is Slugging?

Slugging is the practice of smearing petroleum jelly on your face every night. The term comes from the trail of jelly left behind by slugs moving from one place to another.

Instead of buying expensive lotions with complicated ingredient lists, you could use budget-friendly petroleum jelly to soothe your dry skin while you sleep. After you wake up, wash your face clean and start your day with a glowing appearance.

Benefits of Slugging in Skincare

When people try slugging, they often stick with it due to these great skincare benefits. See if they’re what you want for your face before trying it at home.

1. Petroleum Jelly Retains Moisture

When petroleum oil undergoes extraction and refining, petroleum jelly becomes a useful dermatology product. It contains three foundational ingredients — mineral oil, paraffin wax and microcrystalline wax. The waxes coat skin cells to prevent evaporation, locking any moisture inside. This helps your skin draw its own moisture into deeper layers of your skin as you sleep.

2. Slugging Locks Out Bacteria

Your honey face mask can reduce cellular inflammation after breakouts, but the minor abrasions will still be susceptible to bacteria. Applying petroleum jelly puts a waxy, protective layer over open wounds and scratches, so you won’t have to worry about bacteria causing infections while they heal.

3. Your Skin Cells Resist Damage Afterward

If your skin cells have a healthy amount of moisture, their cell walls are more robust. The pliable walls won’t crack as easily due to wind and dry air the next day. It’s a game changer if you tire of carrying lotion in your purse and applying it on your face during bathroom breaks.

How to Slug Every Night

Follow these steps to start slugging every night and improve your skincare routine tonight. You’ll notice a difference overnight, making it clear if this is the right self-care habit for you.

1. Cleanse Your Skin

Washing your face with a cleansing product will remove any impurities clogging your skin cells. Use your hands or a washcloth to gently rub your skin clean with whatever face wash product you prefer. Pat your skin dry and ensure no water droplets remain before slugging.

You could also exfoliate if you have more dry skin build-up than usual. This is a more rigorous way to cleanse your skin, so people often only do it a few times each week. It’s not a requirement for slugging, but it can be helpful if you’re dealing with flakiness.

2. Apply a Small Amount

Swipe a dime-sized amount of petroleum jelly on your fingertip. Smear it across your cheekbones, nose, forehead and chin. It should be enough to make your skin feel covered and pliable without leaving a slimy, thick layer behind.

3. Wait a Half Hour Before Sleeping

Your skin can’t immediately absorb the products you apply. Lotions and oils need time to sink into your face. Petroleum jelly is no different. Give your skin at least a half hour to soak the moisturizing jelly into your cells.

Patience will also give you a second reward. Tossing and turning in your sleep will rub very little of your petroleum jelly onto your pillow case, if at all. Your skin will have used most of it before your head hits the pillow.

4. Wash Your Face In the Morning

Petroleum jelly is non-comedogenic, so it’s good for sensitive skin and doesn’t cause clogged pores. However, bacteria and impurities will stick to the thick moisturizer. It’s best to wash your face in the morning with a gentle cleanser to start fresh with your glowing skin.

Alternatives to Slugging Every Night

If you decide slugging isn’t right for you, there are alternatives to the popular nightly routine. Check out these ideas to get inspired for your next self-care routine improvement.

1. Find Another Budget-Friendly Moisturizer

People with naturally oily skin may not enjoy slugging. It will keep their natural oils on their skin instead of moisturizing the cells in a way that doesn’t trigger the oil production process.

There are other budget-friendly moisturizers available from leading brands that you could try. Look for labels that mark products designed for oily or sensitive skin. They should be able to moisturize deep into your pores without clogging or causing breakouts. You’ll know you’ve found the right one when your skin feels light and stretchy after using it.

2. Apply a Natural Oil

Slugging may not be right for you if you don’t like the texture of it on your face. It’s something that could take getting used to, but you also have other options if slugging leaves you feeling uncomfortable.

Look for moisturizing facial oils with a single, smooth layer across your face. They should absorb right away without any lingering textures.

Consider options like these while browsing local stores or your favorite brands online:

• Argan oil
• Grapeseed oil
• Maracuja oil
• Sunflower oil
• Jojoba oil

Your grocery store could become the newest stop on your skincare restock shopping trips. Virgin coconut oil is an organic substance that suppresses inflammatory markers while lending moisture to your skin cell barriers. It’s available at most grocery stores for budget-friendly prices.

3. Try Slugging Less Frequently

You may need to reschedule your slugging routine if your skin feels overly moisturized. It’s a powerful jelly, so try applying it every other night or just twice a week. Your face will still benefit from its natural ingredients. You just won’t have to feel like your skin has that leftover jelly coating as you go about your day.

Revamp Your Nightly Skincare Routine

Anyone can learn what slugging is and try it at home. It’s an easy way to solve your dry skin issues without scheduling a costly dermatologist appointment. See if it’s right for you by playing around with how often you try the routine. There are always new ways to meet your skin’s needs, thanks to the revolutionary minds behind trends like slugging.