What Is Slugging in Skincare And How To Do It Right

If you’ve spent longer than 5 minutes on the skincare part of TikTok and Instagram, you may have come across slugging. If you haven’t, you’re in luck as we are spilling the tea on this skincare trend.

What Is Slugging?

Of all the skincare trends floating all over social media, slugging is one of the easiest to understand and incorporate into your routine. It involves applying an occlusive ointment, such as Kanda Body Balm or petroleum jelly, as the last step in your face and body nighttime moisturising routines to help reveal smoother, softer-feeling “glass skin”.

Slugging gets its name from the shiny sheen that an occlusive product can leave on your face—similar to that of a slug. This trend is often attributed to Korean beauty (K-beauty) skincare trends by social media beauty girls, but it can actually be traced back decades, with roots in the Black community. The goal of slugging is to promote dewy, fresh, and young-looking skin that appears plump and hydrated.

How Does Slugging Work?

Occlusives, like petrolatum, are a type of moisturiser composed of oils and waxes. They work by creating an impermeable barrier on top of your skin, sealing your skin barrier off, locking in moisture (and other products you applied before it) and preventing transepidermal water loss even while you sleep. Research suggests that petrolatum-based moisturisers and other occlusives like Kanda Body Balms are the most effective, as they can help to reduce water loss through your epidermis by almost 99%.

Can All Skin Types Benefit From Slugging?

Occlusive moisturising products are usually non-comedogenic (won’t clog your pores) and are referred to as skin protectants. They usually have many uses, such as soothing dry skin on the eyelids or lips, and are often included in products for the management of diaper rash and eczema in babies. However, this doesn’t mean that slugging with them can be beneficial for all skin types.

Generally, it’s best to avoid slugging if you have blemish-prone skin, since they may trigger breakouts. On the other hand, slugging may be beneficial for dry skin, flaky skin, or skin prone to cracking and chafing. If you’re unsure whether or not slugging may be beneficial for your skin type, please consult with a dermatologist for the best-personalised skincare advice.

When Should You Slug?

Slugging is straightforward and easy it is to add to any skincare routine by simply applying your slugging product at the end of your usual nighttime skincare routine after all other steps have been completed. Generally, only slug after using products that are formulated with gentle, hydrating ingredients and avoid slugging when you use products with active ingredients in order to avoid any irritation or unwanted side effects from “sealing in” these actives overnight. Products that you should avoid slugging with are products that include active ingredients such as retinol, beta-hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid), and alpha-hydroxy acids (like lactic acid and glycolic acid).

How Often Should You Be Slugging?

Your frequency of including slugging in your skincare routine will depend on your individual skin type and complexion concerns. For most skin types like acne-prone skin, completely sealing your skin barrier every night isn’t necessary or even recommended. In this case, you may want to alternate slugging days with some “non-slug” days on an every-other-day basis.

However, there may be some exceptions where you might consider slugging daily for a certain period, such as during the dry, hammattan season when your skin is more prone to losing moisture. Understanding your skin type is important, so listen to your skin when you decide to slug. As always with skincare, when in doubt, consult a dermatologist.

Slugging With Kanda Body Balm

Kanda Body Balms are formulated with the best of nature’s butters and oils in a moisturising base to temporarily protect, soothe, and hydrate every skin type. Making them the best natural, non-comedogenic option for your slugging routine to help lock in moisture throughout the night, without clogging your pores. The balms are lightweight, intensely hydrating, suitable for all skin types, and free of fragrance, dyes, and other synthetic ingredients. Kanda Body Balms work to help prevent water loss and alleviate dryness by adding an extra layer of protection against drying weather conditions.

To start slugging with any of Kanda Body Balms, we recommend applying some of the product onto your fingertips first, then applying an even layer onto your skin—focusing on areas of dryness. Kanda Body Balms can be applied before bed to enhance your skin’s natural moisture barrier function as they lock in moisture while you sleep for hydration that lasts.

Additional Slugging Tips

• To avoid any excess messiness while slugging your face, tie your hair back or use a sleep headband when applying the product.
• After slugging your face and body, allow your slugging product to sit for a few minutes before you go to bed to avoid staining your bedsheets or messing up your pillowcase (especially if it’s a silk or satin pillowcase).

Got any additional tips? Do share them with us in the comments section. Until our next article, do stay healthy, moisturised and hydrated.