So, you’ve seen the ‘slugging’ before and afters on TikTok, haven’t you? While there’s no shortage of skincare videos on the platform claiming to give your complexion the ultimate ‘glazed donut glow’, many are as dubious as they sound. But it turns out the latest skincare trick that’s put #skintok in a collective chokehold – known as slugging – actually has form.
Slugging is described on TikTok as slathering on a petrolatum-based product (think Vaseline or Aquaphor) as the final step in your skincare routine. The thick, balm-like texture of an emollient is said to help lock in all the products you applied before it and maintain the integrity of the skin’s barrier.
So imagine applying a particularly heavy overnight mask that leaves your skin looking a little greasy, and you’ll get the gist. And no, there are no actual slugs or snail mucus involved.
@dr.mamina FYI: Even though this doesn’t clog pores, it can exacerbate acne if you are acne-prone. Otherwise great for other skin types! #dermatologist #skincare #learnontiktok #slugging #moisturize
While slugging might be new to TikTok, the technique has actually been lauded by both the K-Beauty community and dermatologists for years. Occlusive products like Vaseline act like a barrier cream, which is said to help your skincare work better and leave you with glowing, baby-soft skin.
But if you’re acne-prone like me, just the thought of applying such a heavy product to your already-oily skin is enough to conjure breakouts. So while it might be magic for dry skin, does it really work for all skin types?
@lovedanielegrace Excited to see my skin when I wake up #kbeautyskincare #slugging #skintok #sluggingwithvaseline #sluggingmethod #skincareroutine #skincare
“I think it’s a great way to keep your skin protected and moisturised, especially in those dry, cold winter months,” says triple board-certified dermatologist, Dr Mamina Turegano, MD on TikTok. “Vaseline, or petrolatum in general, does not clog your pores but if you’re layering over other actives like retinoids, I would be careful.”
Dr Turegano explains that using petrolatum can actually enhance the potency of the active skincare that you’re using, which can lead to irritation. She added in the caption of her video that “even though this doesn’t clog pores, it can exacerbate acne if you are acne-prone. Otherwise great for other skin types!”
@edwardzo TikTok made me try it: Slugging (w/ @cetaphilusa’s new healing ointment) 🐌 #skincare101 #skintok #slugging #skinbarrier #cetaphil #cetaphilpartner
If you’re in the latter category, consider trying slugging as an overnight treatment. A traditional tub of the Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Original ($4.49) is the most popular choice, but you could also try the Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($9) or the CeraVe Healing Ointment ($45).
