Slugging is a beauty trend that originated in South Korea (K-Beauty). It is also very popular in our country right now, especially on TikTok. Slugging involves carefully treating the skin overnight with an occlusive product, often petrolatum-based. This approach has gained popularity in facial skincare to aid hydration. However, slugging can also prove useful for other parts of the body, such as the lips, feet and ankles, which can also benefit from extra moisture.
What is an occlusive agent?
An occlusive agent is a substance used in skin care to form a barrier or protective film on the surface of the skin. This barrier helps to reduce water loss through evaporation, helping to retain moisture in the skin.
Where does the word slugging come from?
Slugging comes from the English language. A „slug“ is a term used there to describe a slug. Slugging could therefore be translated as „leaving a trail of slime“. Since the current beauty trend involves covering parts of the body with a thick layer of skin care product overnight, the connection to slug slime is obvious.
How does slugging work?
The basic idea behind the slugging concept aims to effectively increase the moisture content of the skin by reducing water loss through a so-called occlusive layer or „water-repellent film“. This additional protective layer is designed to effectively prevent water from escaping from the skin. This is said to significantly improve the firmness, volume and natural function of skin cells, ultimately contributing to an overall healthier and more resilient skin barrier.
Is slugging suitable for everyone?
Slugging is not necessarily suitable for every skin type. In particular, people with very oily or acne-prone skin should proceed with caution and not cover their entire face with the layer, as this can potentially cause irritation and additional skin problems. Overall, all people who want to try slugging should make sure that the layer applied to the skin does not contain any unwanted ingredients that could potentially have negative effects on the skin, such as irritation or unpleasant skin reactions of various kinds.
Is slugging a new trend or has the concept been around for a while?
Slugging is by no means a new idea, it’s just that it has currently gained a lot of popularity on social media under the rather catchy name of slugging. In the beauty industry, the mechanism of locking in moisture has been known for a long time and is used in many products.
Petrolatum, the ingredient often found in ointments and other topical creams from major brands, is occlusive, meaning it forms a barrier that locks in moisture. Many skincare brands have been using this effect for a long time. Some brands have developed their own methods of slugging to ensure that the effectiveness of their products is not lost or damaged in the process.
Which skin types benefit from slugging?
Dry skin: People with very dry skin can benefit from slugging as it helps to retain moisture better in the skin. Especially for cracked heels or other very dry skin areas, slugging can provide relief and bring about an improvement in the skin’s appearance.
Combination skin: Slugging can also be effective for combination skin if it is applied selectively to dry areas. For this skin type, however, care should be taken to avoid oily areas to prevent pimples or skin reactions.
Oily skin: Slugging is not suitable for people with oily skin or skin prone to inflammation, as it can lead to clogged pores and the formation of pimples.