What Is Slugging?
Slugging is a popular skincare trend that has emerged through TikTok and other social media platforms showcasing the effects of glowing skin and the benefits of occlusive moisturizers. This technique is used as the last step in your nighttime routine and fully rejuvenates your skin by the time you wake up.
The Advantages of Slugging
Slugging intensifies the moisturizing process by sealing the skin with a barrier that confines the moisture onto the surface of the skin. Slugging can provide a shield on the skin that helps with friction, pollutants, and irritants while you sleep. Slugging can benefit a range of skin types and help reduce seasonal changes from affecting your skin.
The Disadvantages of Slugging
If slugging is placed over other skincare products, it intensifies the effect of the products beneath. This means slugging can cause skin sensitivity if paired with the wrong skin care products.
The Science Behind Slugging
Slugging uses occlusive skin care products. Occlusives are beneficial in creating a barrier that locks in moisture, helping to reduce the appearance of skin water loss. This can be a quick way to hydrate the skin and make the skin appear fresh, plump, and glowing. Occlusives are ideal for individuals looking to improve dry and flaky skin. Occlusive ingredients include but are not limited to petroleum, silicones, oils, waxes, and skin butter. Depending on your product of choice, these can provide a thick or thin hydration barrier for the skin.
How To Slug
The first step of slugging includes prepping your skin by washing your face and ensuring it is damp before application. You can then apply your slug product of choice or apply your favorite serum before your slugging application. We recommend using a small amount of the Epicuren Discovery Soothe Dermal Repair Balm. This balm will give you a rich amount of moisture after just one slugging session. After the balm has sat on your skin for thirty minutes, you can sleep with the product on. In the morning, it is essential to wash your face, leaving you with a visibly brightened complexion.
Can All Skin Types Try Slugging?
Slugging is primarily for those experiencing dry or dehydrated skin. Dry, normal, combination, and oily skin can all benefit from the excess hydration that slugging provides. Dry, normal, and combination skin is hydrated by slugging, causing a luminous and more youthful appearance of the skin. Oily skin benefits from the sealed-in moisture, delaying the skin from drying and overproducing sebum oil.
Who Shouldn’t Try Slugging?
Slugging is not personalized, and knowing if it is right for your skin type is important. Acne-prone individuals should avoid slugging, and those with infected skin should wait to try slugging until they address their skin concerns. Slugging with acne-prone skin can clog the skin pores, making acne worse. This happens by trapping bacteria, sebum, and dirt in the pores, causing unwanted breakouts.
FAQ's
When Should I Use Face Slugging?
You should slug anytime you want to address dehydrated, dry, cracked, and inflamed skin concerns.
How Often Should I Use the Slugging Skincare Method?
Face slugging should be done 2-3 times per week.
What Is Body Slugging?
Body slugging is the same as facial slugging. However, the product is applied to all your skin.
How is skin slugging different from regular moisturizing?
Slugging is a moisturizing technique primarily using “occlusive” ingredients. This is the last step of your skincare routine and is applied in a thick layer over the skin. Regular moisturizing is less aggressive and can be done at different times during the day.