We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: TikTok is a treasure trove of information, tips, and tricks. Not all of them work, of course, but one of the latest we’ve discovered has been given the greenlight by dermatologists, and it’s perfect for anyone who has dry or sensitive skin anywhere on their body!
Called ‘slugging’, this beauty trend sees adopters sealing their skin with a layer of what’s called an ‘occlusive agent’, which in simple terms is a product like Vaseline petroleum jelly or CeraVe Healing Ointment. This is usually done overnight, though it is also possible to do it as part of your daytime routine.
In essence, an occlusive agent is one of three types of skincare ingredients that are known to work together to promote hydration: the humectants capture moisture from the environment and direct it to your skin, the emollients go into the gaps of your skin and moisturise it, and the occlusives seal in the moisture and stop it from evaporating.
As such, slugging the skin can have some amazing benefits for healing very dry skin on your face, elbows, and heels, or give some relief to those who suffer from eczema. This method can also be used on lips, eyelids, hands, or any other body part.
If you’re thinking of trying out slugging for yourself, however, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
- Always cleanse your skin before slugging it. You can follow this by applying serum followed by moisturiser, and then a thin layer of the occlusive agent. You can also go directly for a thin layer of occlusive agent if you prefer. But remember: ‘thin’ is the operative word here!
- Always try a test patch before you go for the full face. As wonderful as occlusive agents are, they can still clog pores and cause breakouts, especially on certain skin types. This is why you should never, ever slug oily or acne-prone skin.