By now, I'm no stranger to all things K-beauty. From "glass" skin [1] to "cream" skin, [2] there is no end to the Korean beauty and skin-care secrets I'm willing to try. So when I read about the moisturising trend called "slugging," I had to see what all the excitement was about.
For anyone unfamiliar, slugging is a technique that originated in Korea. Unlike those 10-step K-beauty routines that took the beauty world by storm years ago, slugging only requires one product and one step. Every night, after your skin care, you apply a thin layer of Vaseline or petroleum-based balm all over your face to lock in moisture and seal in your skin-care products. Then, the next morning, you wash it off with your regular cleanser [3] and enjoy your newly hydrated, glowing skin.
As a person with oily skin and occasional breakouts, I was sceptical about slugging at first. But my lightweight moisturiser simply wasn't cutting it – the colder fall weather was making my skin dry and dull. My skin-care routine is pretty pared down to begin with, so I figured adding one extra step wouldn't be too much of a challenge. I bought myself some Vaseline, slathered it on, and hoped for the best.
Keep reading to see my results — plus, what a dermatologist has to say about the trend in case you want to try it, too.
Before Skin "Slugging"
Going into the experiment, I hoped that slugging would hydrate my skin and maybe give me a little bit of a glow. I was nervous that it might lead to more breakouts, but I decided to stay positive and see what happened. I cycled through my normal skin-care routine and then applied Vaseline every night for a week.
Mid-Week
Already by day three, I could tell that the Vaseline was giving me a glow. This picture was taken right after I washed the petroleum jelly off, and I didn't feel sticky, but I could tell that my skin felt a little more moisturised.
By the time I washed my face again that night, I was ready for round four.
Final Thoughts
I was stunned by the difference slugging made. By the end of the week, I was waking up with plump, dewy skin that was bouncy and soft to the touch. The results were so satisfying and the Vaseline worked better than any other moisturiser I've ever used. (Plus, it's about half the price, which was an added bonus.)
While going to bed feeling sticky and slimy wasn't fun, it was totally worth it for me in the end. In the future, I'll definitely keep slugging – probably not every night, but at least once or twice a week when I feel like my skin needs a pick-me-up. Who needs an expensive facial [4] when you can get a glow-up at home?
Should You Try Skin Slugging?
If you're curious about trying the trend, too, there are a few things you should know first. "Slugging is a great option for somebody who has dry skin or irritation," Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist and associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told POPSUGAR. He recommends this method for people who are looking for better hydration, but know that if you're prone to breakouts or very oily, "covering your face in petroleum jelly overnight may leave you feeling heavy or greasy."
Dr. Zeichner's first tip to successful slugging is to make sure your face is thoroughly cleansed both before and after applying Vaseline. "If you haven't removed any dirt, oil, makeup, or other particulate matter from the skin," he said. "It will be trapped underneath, leading to potential irritation or even breakouts."
Also, if you're using potentially irritating skin-care ingredients like retinol [5], Dr. Zeichner recommends skipping this one. Occluding or locking these products into your skin with petroleum jelly may lead to irritation. Finally, make sure your pillowcase and hair is protected from the slime. He recommends you sleep in a bun or a ponytail [6] and consider wearing a headband to keep the Vaseline on your face and out of your hair.