We have a few go-to’s when it comes to beauty advice. Our stylists, obviously, that friend who’s always trying the newest miracle ingredients – and now, Reddit (yep, that’s the social media platform with forums on literally everything under the sun) and TikTok. They both have thriving communities of hair, beauty and skincare obsessives. The latest trend making the rounds? Slugging (trust us, it’s not as gross as it sounds.) Want to know more? Read more below.
In this series, we’ll be sharing the need-to-know tips and tricks we found from hours (and hours) of scrolling. Consider this your hair and beauty school cop-out (see what we did there?).
WRITTEN BY Beth Ludolf
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1 The problem: Dry, chapped skinOk, before we get into it, slugging is 100% less gross than it sounds (sorry, we didn’t name it). In fact, it’s actually our saviour right now.
The colder months bring drier air (less humidity and central heating are the culprits) which makes our skin lose moisture much faster. The sudden change in temperature damages our skin’s barrier, too, leaving us more susceptible to aggravators like pollution. Basically, if your skin is dry, irritated and sensitive, you’re not alone.
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2 Lesson #1: Slugging
Surprise surprise, this is a K-beauty favourite (aka an instant cult classic). ‘Slugging’ involves applying an occlusive all over your face, at the very end of your nighttime skincare routine.
Occlusives are products that prevent moisture from being evaporated from the skin. They don’t actually add any moisture on their own, they simply keep the moisture from your skincare products in the right place – in your skin. Products like lip balm often already contain an occlusive because our lips lose moisture so quickly.
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3 How do I do slugging?
It’s so simple. Once you’ve applied all your usual evening products, add a thin layer of the occlusive all over your face. It will feel pretty waxy and greasy (hence the name, slugging) but trust us, that’s how it works its magic. You don’t have to do it every night, just think of it as an extra step you can add in when your skin feels like it needs it.
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4 What should I use for slugging?
Another great thing about slugging, it’s budget-friendly. Reddit’s r/SkincareAddiction community rave about Aquaphor, which you can buy from the high street. Or, if you’re looking for one that’s free of animal products, Vaseline does the trick too. And, they’re both non-comedogenic so they won’t clog your pores or cause any breakouts.
FAQs
What is slugging and how does it help your skin?
Slugging is a skincare technique where you apply an occlusive product as the last step in your nighttime routine. It helps by preventing moisture from evaporating from your skin, making it especially helpful for dry, irritated or sensitive skin during colder months. The process doesn’t add moisture but locks in what your other skincare products provide.
How do you do slugging at home?
Apply all your evening skincare products first, then spread a thin layer of occlusive all over your face. The feeling will be waxy and greasy, which is normal, and you don’t need to do it every night. Treat it as an extra step whenever your skin feels particularly dry or chapped.
Which products are good for slugging?
Aquaphor and Vaseline are commonly used for slugging. Both are non-comedogenic, so they won’t clog your pores or cause breakouts. If you want a budget-friendly and animal product-free option, Vaseline works well, and both can be found easily on the high street.
Why does skin get drier in the colder months?
Cooler weather brings drier air with less humidity, alongside central heating, causing skin to lose moisture much faster. The sudden drop in temperature also damages the skin’s barrier, making it more sensitive to factors like pollution. These changes can lead to dry, irritated and sensitive skin for many people.
Do you need to slug every night for best results?
You don’t need to slug every night. It’s an optional extra step to add only when your skin feels dry or needs some extra moisture retention. Using slugging as needed helps you keep your skin comfortable without overdoing it.