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If you haven't heard the term "slugging", you've come to the right place. About five years ago I was doing my morning TikTok scroll and a young lady came on my screen doing a 'Get Ready With Me' morning vlog and she had the most beautiful skin I had seen. As I watched the video, she focused a lot on her skincare and over time as I watched more of her videos she talked about her journey with acne, scars, and unruly skin. As someone who has always been into skincare (I used to wake up at 9am and watch Jane Treacy on QVC sell Yves Rocher skincare on Saturday mornings when I was about 10 years old and I also dreamed of the day I could by Fashion Fair cosmetics from Macy's before I became a teenager!), I am always looking for the next greatest cleanser, moisturizer, toner, serum, exfoliant - you name it. As I've gotten older and my skin has become more mature, I've learned through trial, error, and maxed out store cards that more is not always best and sometimes having a simple skincare routine is just the cure and treatment your skin needs.
In the content creator's videos, what stuck out most was how simple, yet effective her skincare routine was and being someone with very sensitive skin who has dealt with bouts of hormonal acne and scarring, I thought "why not!?" Her routine consisted of cleansing, moisturizing, slugging, and SPF, that's it. So I took note and adopted that routine and I saw a huge difference in my skin after about 2 weeks. It was more supple, radiant, and even on days where I might have not cared for it like the day before, it still looked great. Two things I realized helped: 1. simplifying my routine and the 2. the added layer of 'Slugging'.
What is slugging?
Slugging is a skincare technique where you apply a layer of an occlusive product (think of it like a seal that locks everything. For example petroleum jelly, beeswax, lanolin, or mineral oil). It is typically gently rubbed over your moisturizer as the final step in your skincare routine and most people choose to do it at night.
The goal?
The goal is to lock in moisture and help your skin repair itself (which is why it is best done overnight - but I do it in the day too) by creating a barrier that prevents water loss. While it might sound a little greasy (and yes, you'll look a bit shiny), it can be incredibly effective for dry, dehydrated, or irritated skin. Just be sure to use it on clean skin. If you're acne-prone or are using strong actives like retinol, also note this may not be the best addition for your skincare routine; but that's for you and a skin expert to decide.
If you have ever heard of slugging or are thinking about it, here are a few products that may be worth trying:
This is the exact product I use and the product I saw the content creator use that introduced me to slugging.
I don't use this on my face but on really cold days or days where I am extra dry, I use on my body and it keeps me supple and glistening all day. If I ever run out of CeraVe for my face or they no longer sell the product, I would definitely switch to this.
This is tried and true and has been used for decades, over many generations of women in our families. And some of your biggest celebrities use this to keep their skin fresh-faced and glowing for stage, screen, and print.
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What's most important to remember is like with anything new you put in or on your body, consult a licensed and professional expert who can give you a good consultation and also help you decide what works best for YOU. Some skin care experts or skin enthusiasts may say slugging is not good for the skin or should be used only a few times in the winter; I think that's for you to decide for your skin. But be sure to do your research and talk to experts and clinicians you trust.
I hope this has shed a bit of light on part of my skin routine that has been a Godsend over the last few years as I ease into the middle-aged season of life. If you have any of your own skincare secrets you'd like to share - email or share them in the comments!
Note: The information in this blog post is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. It is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health, starting new treatments, or changing your current care routine.
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