Slugs on my face?!? Ok, don’t worry, that’s not really a thing. But have you ever heard of “slugging”? Because that IS actually a thing.
I love to follow different dermatologists on Instagram, and often find myself picking up awesome skincare tips from them. One day, I was watching a reel from one of the doctors I follow, and guess what it was about? Yep – slugging. The name of the topic alone made me want to continue watching, and if I’m being completely honest, I was waiting for her to bring out some little slug friends. I have been using “snail mucin” (a snail’s secretion/mucus) on my face for the last year … so I thought maybe slugs were the new snails?
Unfortunately (luckily?) there were no REAL slugs … but I did learn that this is a new skincare trend that’s great for dry skin. Slugging is this technique where you slather on a thin layer (pea-size amount) of an “occlusive” product (think Vaseline or Aquaphor) as the last step of a nighttime skincare routine (so after your normal moisturizer). This oily top layer “locks in” moisture, and keeps your skin hydrated by helping to prevent water loss. The “slug layer” itself doesn’t actually moisturize, but it DOES help seal in hydrating products that you use prior to this last step.
I’m assuming this technique got its name because after applying this layer, your face is super shiny like what a slug leaves behind. The dermatologist talked about how slugging was a great way to hydrate your skin overnight, and also helps with water retention. Dry skin is super common during the winter – mine included – so I decided I had to try this out! Let me preface the following by saying that I am NOT a dermatologist, just a skincare aficionado, and these are some tips I learned when it comes to slugging:
Benefits
- Prevents moisture loss
- Help repair the skin barrier
- Restores lipids (skin’s natural fats)
- Can help skin appear more plump, smooth, and hydrated
- Can help serums and moisturizers penetrate the skin more effectively
- Can make skincare products you use prior to the “slugging layer” more potent (more beneficial)
Considerations
- Might not be best for oily skin or acne-prone skin (check with a dermatologist)
- Check with a dermatologist before slugging if you use prescription medications as a part of your skincare routine
- Check with a dermatologist before slugging if you have eczema or psoriasis
- Might not like how it feels on your face
- Shouldn’t use it when you’ve already used “active ingredients” (like Retinoids, Vitamin C, or products containing acids like AHAs/BHAs.
- Can be messy (grease marks on pillowcase)
One of the products the dermatologist on Instagram recommended was the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, so I decided to try that. I ended up going with this product because it also mentioned “ceramides” and “maintaining the skin barrier” – which I’ve also heard a lot about in the viral world of skin care lately. I also like products that are accessible, effective, and affordable-ish – and this product checked all of those boxes. You can pick it up locally at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc – but you can also grab some on Prime.
I’m a side sleeper, and wasn’t sure how I would feel about slugging all night long, so I decided to try it for a few hours during the day first (I’m blessed to work from home). I threw my hair up in a bun, did my normal morning skincare routine (skipping the Vitamin C and doing a lighter layer of my normal daytime moisturizer), and then added the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream. I definitely felt like I had something on my skin, if that makes sense? Like when you use a full-coverage foundation. But a few hours into work, I honestly couldn’t feel it anymore.
Final-ish thoughts: I’ve only slugged 2 times so far, but I plan on continuing to do it weekly through early Spring. The main benefit I’ve seen so far is that the extra hydration is balancing how dry my Tretinoin leaves my skin.
Nervous about trying slugging? My Instagram Dermatologist Bestie (that’s what I like to call her in my head), just posted a video about slugging your lips – that might be an easier way to try out this new skincare trend. Here is her video that mentions lip slugging if you want to check it out.
