Salva Mubarak Senior Features Writer

Given the beauty industry’s proclivity to use snails and placenta to take you one step further towards flawless skin, you’d be forgiven for thinking that ‘slugging’ as a skincare practice would involve the use of slugs on your face. Rest assured, no slugs will be used or harmed in any form with this latest viral beauty practice.

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What is ‘Slugging’?

Slugging is a Korean beauty trend that, like all good things, gained popularity on Reddit where people couldn’t stop gushing about the miraculous results after following it.

“It’s basically when you apply Vaseline petroleum jelly to your face to lock in moisture,” explains Dr. Geetika Mittal Gupta, dermatologist and founder of ISAAC Luxe clinics. Mittal Gupta says this is one of her favourite beauty trends because it is extremely effective in combatting dry and flaky skin with little effort. “Your skin will become really soft, supple, and smooth with this trend,” she says.

How do I ‘Slug’?

Slugging adds one simple step to your nighttime skincare routine. Make sure you start with a clean face. The practice of slugging is meant to create a sealant on your face to lock in moisture, so it’s really important that your skin is free of any dirt or make-up. After cleansing and exfoliating, you should go for a moisturiser. “Look for products that are humectant-based, like glycerin, hyaluronic, or aloe-based products,” says Mittal Gupta. Now that your skin is hydrated, you can apply a pea-sized amount of Vaseline on it to form a barrier between your skin and the night air. Ideally, this should be done 30-minutes before your bedtime so that the products can get enough time to properly soak into the skin. Let it work its magic overnight and then you can wash it all off using water in the morning.

What else should I keep in mind while I ‘Slug’?

Vaseline is NOT a substitute for any hydrating product. It is a barrier that helps seal in the moisture from the humectants you’ve used before applying it. You should also protect your pillowcase from the greasy Vaseline stains by putting a towel on it before sleeping and remember to keep your hair away from your face while the sealant is on.

Should I ‘Slug’ every day?

Before you ransack the nearest chemist shop for their Vaseline stock, know that Slugging every single day can potentially harm your skin if it is comedogenic. “It’s a great practice to do if you have dry and flaky skin or if you live in dry or cold regions,” says Mittal Gupta, “But if you have skin that is prone to breakouts and blackheads, then you should avoid doing it frequently, or even once.”

The dermatologist recommends trying a patch test with petroleum jelly to see how your skin reacts to it before going full slug. “Ultimately it all comes down to what your skin tells you,” she says, “You have to learn to understand and listen to your skin’s needs and take measures accordingly.”

So there you have it. This unassuming product from your childhood can actually be the skincare answer you’ve been waiting for. Just remember, listen to your skin’s needs and you’ll be golden!