And, he and Palermino said, slugging doesn't require much petroleum jelly. You can use a pea-size portion for your entire face, rather than what's going on in the video below (you don't want to ruin your linens).
The slugging process
Step 4: Load on your occlusive, or the petroleum jelly: Vaseline, CeraVe, Aquaphor or another brand. (While you'll see TikTokers using a full handful for dramatic effect, you can use as little as a pea-size amount to see benefits.)
It consists of applying Vaseline petroleum jelly as an occlusive moisturizer to hydrate the skin and seal in moisture and your skin-care products overnight, and then washing it off with a gentle cleanser the next day.”
, are absolutely safe for your skin. The Vaseline® Jelly is non-comedogenic, which means it does not block or clog your pores. It has a thick texture that acts as a good barrier between your skin and external harmful elements without damaging the look or health of your skin.
You can do it nightly to heal dehydrated, dry, cracked or inflamed skin. To maintain results, I recommend slugging 2-3 times per week.
“Use a moisturizer or hydrating serum prior to applying your slugging product of choice,” says Clay. They'll get sealed into your skin nicely thanks to the Vaseline or other product you decide to use.
“Slugging itself is not comedogenic (acne-causing), but if you have clogged pores or retained makeup, you could create an infection or outbreak by trapping these particles under the occlusive. Make sure your skin is SUPER clean before sealing it. Exfoliate,” Dr.
If you usually wash your face come morning, go ahead and do so, but it's not necessary to wash off your slugging product from the night before, she says. Either way, be sure to admire your gorgeously glowy new skin.
The products applied before your “slug” should be formulated with gentle, hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides. Formulas with active ingredients should generally be avoided before slugging, in order to avoid any irritation or unwanted side effects from “sealing in” these actives overnight.
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.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
Petrolatum-based, healing ointments are recommended occlusives for slugging. Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, says that these products, like Aquaphor, "include glycerin, lanolin, bisabolol, and mineral oil for additional hydrating, soothing, and barrier-supporting properties."
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 for Acne: The TL;DR
Applying an occlusive over acne treatments may help strengthen the actives and, thus, deliver results. That said, slugging for acne isn't for everyone, and experts warn that doing so could lead to irritation or worsened acne.
Con: Due to its occlusive nature, slugging increases the intensity of the products underneath it, which is generally the idea. However, this means that slugging can indirectly cause skin sensitivity if combined with the wrong products. Con: If you adore your silk pillowcases, slugging may prove problematic.
You can slug two ways: overnight (the traditional way) or short-contact (like a wash-off face mask).
Apply A Layer Of Petroleum Jelly
Once you are done with your skin care routine, you can go to sleep and wake up to glowing, glass-like skin after slugging from the previous night!
Idriss recommends slugging less often in the summer than in the winter. "Listen to what your skin needs," says Dr. Zeichner. "However, I generally recommend the same way I would recommend any other mask, using once per week or so."
Follow with moisturizer: Slugging is really just a last addition to your everyday skin care routine, so you perform all your previous steps as normal. That said, massage in your daily moisturizer—you'll then top it with your occlusive.
Finally, once your moisturiser is almost absorbed, take a small amount of your occlusive balm and apply it to your face (or target the areas that need it most). In the morning, double cleanse your skin to ensure all traces of the balm are removed.
But, though it's been popularized again recently, it is a practice most dermatologists recommend for quickly healing dryness and eczema and trapping in your moisture, dermatologist Dr. Shari Marchbein, M.D., who made an entire Instagram Reels on slugging, tells Teen Vogue.