We are not talking about punching someone in the face. Today we are talking about skin care and while some might think that slugging it is a skin treatment where slugs are put on your face… But no, that is a slug or snail facial and is very different (it is a thing). Slugging is a K-beauty (Korean beauty) nighttime skin care routine that many credit to softer and more supple skin. I am here to go over the process and talk about my experiences.
Here is how it works…
The idea is to layer skin care products after cleansing the face at night and then sealing them in with an occlusive thick petroleum-based ointment.
- Face wash
- Toner
- Retinoid/serum
- Lotions/creams
- Petroleum-based ointment
While the first four steps may be familiar to most people with a nighttime skincare routine, the additional step of layering on some ointment is a game changer. The idea is that this final layer acts as a barrier to hold products against the skin and lock in moisture, sort of like how a slug’s slime keeps it from drying out. I have been using Aquaphor at night on my lips and eye lids for years. I have also been using Aquaphor on patients after chemical peels and facial resurfacing. So, the slathering of Aquaphor on the face was not an entirely new thing in my mind. I will just talk about Aquaphor at this point as that is what I know best. Vaseline I am sure would work as well but I have always found it to have a stickier feel and a mechanical smell that I am not the biggest fan of.
My Review:
The Good:
I really loved the results. My face was much less dry, and I get a better exfoliation in the morning. In addition, the process made the “gunk” (sebum) in my clogged pores more supple and hydrated making it easier to clean with my facial cleanser. After about a week I did have finer pores and considerably less white and black heads. I did have concerns about it worsening acne. I know that Aquaphor is non-comedogenic, or does not clog pores, but I was not sure my face would not react with a breakout. Lucky for me I did not experience this.\
I did not notice the anti-wrinkle effect that some talk about. I think that this is due to the fact very dry skin would more readily show fine lines. I could see this helping specifically with fine lines that were augmented by the dryness of the skin. Remember the Aquaphor just sits on the skin providing a barrier, it does not penetrate the skin so would not do anything to reduce wrinkles.
The Bad:
Even with a thin layer of petroleum ointment, it is kind of messy. I have trained myself to be a mostly back sleeper…. But my husband will tell you that I will also twirl, and whirl, and take all the blankets while sleeping, so I do have to clean my pillowcase more than typical. The feeling is not unpleasant but it does feel like you are wearing a heavy mask. This does not bother me but I could see others not liking it.
*Remember skin care 101: Only change one thing at a time in your skin care routine. Not everyone’s skin responds the same way so if something does not work for you don’t do it!
Recap:
- Slugging is layering skin products at night then sealing them in with petroleum-based ointment
- Can be messy and feel a bit awkward
- Personally did notice improvement in the skin, though mileage may vary depending on current skincare routine