Slugging is basically the process of slathering your face (or, in some cases, your nails) with petroleum jelly overnight.
To slug, cleanse your skin, apply a thin layer of Vaseline or similar product on damp skin, leave it overnight, and wash it off in the morning. Alternatively, the technique can be used as a daytime hydrating mask.
A non-greasy Vaseline® body lotion, it absorbs into your skin in 15 seconds for immediate moisturization and provides long-lasting moisture, making it an ideal daily lotion for men. Clinically tested to provide 90% more skin moisture vs. untreated skin.
By covering your face in Vaseline overnight, slugging aims to lock in moisture. And there's a good reason this K-Beauty trend has gone viral on Reddit!
', the answer is yes, thanks to the protective layer the petroleum jelly forms over your skin, to protect and hydrate it as you sleep.
Applying Vaseline® Jelly under eyes is a tried-and-tested way to lock in moisture, keeping skin in the eye area soft and elastic, and rejuvenating skin that looks dry and tired.
While slugging is generally safe, individuals with sensitive or acne-prone skin should start slugging with caution. There's a slight risk of pore-clogging, so thorough cleansing is essential — and always remember to choose non-comedogenic products, patch-test new additions, and discontinue use if any irritation occurs.
Increased breakouts
While Vaseline helps seal moisture into the skin, some experts have suggested that it may also trap in oil and dirt. As such, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) warn that people who are prone to acne may experience breakouts after applying Vaseline to the face.
How often should slugging be done? Frequency should be determined by your skin type: if you have dry skin, slugging nightly can really help to boost skin's radiance and texture, but if you have combination or oilier skin, try slugging 2-3 times per week (or about every other night).
Although there is no scientific evidence to indicate that petroleum jelly can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, its moisturizing properties may help keep skin looking and feeling soft and supple. It can also provide a protective barrier against environmental damage, which may slow down the natural aging process.
DON'T use an active skincare product when slugging. We are talking about BHAs, AHAs, and retinoids. When trapped, these can increase their strength beyond what was concentrated by a chemist, and potentially increase their strength, leading to unpredictable results on the skin.
Both Vaseline and Aquaphor work toward the same goal: sealing moisture into the skin. Many dermatologists recommend Aquaphor over Vaseline, but the best thing to do is to test what works best for your skin.
Negative Impact:
Some people may find slugging uncomfortable due to the heavy, greasy texture of occlusive moisturisers such as petroleum jelly. This can leave the skin feeling suffocated or congested, especially if you have oily or combination skin.
Slugging is generally considered ideal for those with dry skin. It may not be suitable for acne-prone skin or for individuals prone to blemishes. Seek the help of a board-certified dermatologist for any questions regarding whether or not slugging is right for you.
Wake up and wash off the Vaseline® Jelly with a gentle cleanser the next morning. Voila – enjoy beautiful, healthy skin! Slugging isn't a newly discovered phenomenon. It has been around for years.
Finally, slugging can help the skin repair itself if it's damaged and dehydrated. As we age, our skin barrier can no longer repair itself, leading to fine lines, saggy skin, or wrinkles. While slugging can't prevent these conditions, it may help reduce their appearance.
Petroleum jelly (vaseline) is a barrier and does not melt away a blackhead. In actual fact it can cause more harm than good, this is because it traps the dirt, bacteria and dead skin cells on the skin surface leading to the skin becoming irritated and causing more inflammation.
Solid no. There's zero evidence that using petroleum jelly on your eyelashes will cause them to grow faster, longer, thicker, or darker. In fact, it doesn't even moisturize your lashes. It can keep moisture already in your skin and hair inside, but the solution itself contains no moisturizing ingredients.
The biggest risk of under-eye slugging is that it could induce or exacerbate milia, especially in those who are already prone to milia. Milia are tiny white bumps that can develop around the eye area which most commonly occur because of an accumulation of dead skin cells and oils in the area.
Is it OK to do slugging every night? Dr. Kassouf says there's no hard and fast rule to how often you should slug. It's all based on your individual skin care needs — if your skin is feeling dry and dehydrated, it may benefit from slugging.