What Is Slugging And Why You Should Be Doing It

So What Is Slugging?

Slugging is a K-Beauty skincare trend which involves coating your face in petrolatum or Vaseline. This prevents transepidermal water loss and keeps moisture in your skin. It's absolute best for dry skin types. The K-beauty trenddid get its name from the idea of going to bed mucus-covered, slug style.

This buzzed-about trend is essentially a very simple moisturizing technique — which is the secret to the soft, dewy skin and glass-like glow that complexion dreams are made of.

It's nothing fancy or complicated — slugging is simply coating your face in Vaseline 

Why? 

Vaseline contains triple-purified petrolatum, an occlusive ingredient that forms a seal over the skin, preventing water loss and helping a damaged skin barrier repair itself and 

helping prevent 99% of transepidermal water loss.

The balance of keratinocytes (dead skin) and lipids are crucial for your barrier. Lipids are the glue that keep your stratum corneum, or outermost layer of skin, intact. Without the lipids, your skin is compromised—as less lipids in the skin leads to transepidermal water loss. When the lipids in your skin are depleted, whether it be by your genetic lottery, the environment, or an overenthusiastic peel, the glue is damaged and your protective barrier lets out water. Petrolatum can fix that. It’s like putting a protective dome on your skin. 

You can think of slugging as a turbo-charged, hydrating sheet mask, and a great option for those with dry skin. With aging comes decreased barrier repair, decreased hydration, saggy skin, and more obvious wrinkles. Slugging essentially acts as a buoy to the barrier, keeping water locked in and the skin plumped.

For those dealing with skin irritation and issues such as eczema might want to consider this as well. The fact that Vaseline has no additives or fragrances makes it — and slugging — safe! even for those with very sensitive skin or eczema

**Vaseline’s main ingredient, petrolatum, is safe to use on skin. Despite what you may read on the internet, the ingredient is so safe that the American Academy of Dermatology recommends it for use on small babies with eczema. Just stick to using straight up Vaseline Brand.