Slugging: The Skincare Sensation Explained

Seeking an impactful skincare ritual that will leave your skin feeling nourished and rejuvenated? Welcome to slugging skincare. So, what is slugging, you might ask. Well, face slugging is the latest fresh K-beauty craze, and it pledges to deliver a 'glass skin' effect overnight — no joke. This uncomplicated practice involves slathering your skin with an occlusive — such as a generous layer of petroleum jelly — to form a defensive barrier against dehydration. It's a cost-effective, soft approach to secure glowing, well-hydrated skin.

Discover the benefits of the slugging sensation

What is slugging for skin? Well, this skincare buzzword refers to the application of a lavish spread of barrier cream on your face before retiring to bed. This creates a seal, preventing moisture from escaping overnight, resulting in noticeable improvements in skin quality by boosting hydration levels and strengthening the skin's natural armour. The term 'slug' was coined due to the slick feel that the cream layer leaves on the skin. Is it a touch unsavoury? Possibly. Worth a shot? Let's explore.

Potential advantages include:

• Skin hydration: Slugging acts as a shield on your skin, sealing in moisture and warding off dryness — particularly handy in the frosty winter months when the air is particularly harsh on your skin.
• Boosts skin defences: The technique assists in fortifying and preserving your skin's inherent barrier function. The protective layer formed by the barrier cream acts as a shield against environmental villains like pollution and other irritants.
• Limits moisture loss: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), or the evaporation of water from your skin leading to dehydration, can be notably limited with slugging, preventing your skin from becoming parched, dull, and flaky.
• Relieves skin irritation: If your skin tends to flare up easily, slugging could be your saviour. The protective barrier facilitates the soothing of inflamed skin, reducing redness and itchiness.
• Diminishes visible signs of ageing: By maintaining your skin's hydration and combating moisture loss, slugging can help to visibly reduce the signs of ageing. Well-hydrated skin also appears plumper, firmer, and more vibrant.

Perfecting the slugging routine

Now that we've unravelled the mystery let's dive into how to weave it into your skincare regime. Here’s a pro guide you can file under “how to do slugging”:

1. Kick-off with a clean slate: Use a soft cleanser to expunge any impurities, oil, or makeup.
2. Administer your regular skincare line-up: Upon cleansing, apply your standard skincare products like serums, moisturisers, or treatments (dodge active substances). Pause for them to fully permeate your skin before advancing.
3. Apply an occlusive product: After your skincare line-up has been fully absorbed, it's time to introduce an occlusive product. This could be an oil, a substantial moisturiser, or a facial balm. Apply a generous dollop of product, ensuring that it covers your entire face.
4. Let it sit: It's time to let the occlusive product soak on your face. This step is key as it ensures all of the moisture from your other skincare products is sealed in. Leave the product on your face for several hours, preferably overnight.
5. Remove the product: In the morning, use a gentle cleanser to cleanse your face. This will help to remove any leftover product without depleting your skin of its natural oils.

Which products are the best for your skincare routine?

There are crucial skin hydrators: occlusives, humectants, and emollients. Occlusives, the key hydrators used in slugging, generate a barrier on your skin to halt moisture loss. These include such ingredients as petroleum, lanolin, and mineral oil. Humectants, however, draw moisture from the surrounding air and trap it in your skin. They appear in everything from toners to serums, moisturisers, and face masks. Lastly, emollients help to polish and soften your skin and are commonly found in creams and lotions.

When gearing up for slugging, choose products containing occlusive ingredients like petrolatum, shea butter, or ceramides. These ingredients formulate a physical boundary on the skin, impeding moisture reduction.

Best loved skin treats

Ceramides, those occlusive lipids, serve to replenish the skin's inherent fat content and seal in all-important moisture. Our Black Tea Anti-Aging Ceramide Moisturiser acts as an advanced anti-ageing cream, mimicking the benefits of retinol to smooth wrinkles, firm up skin, and enhance its natural glow.

If your lips are pleading for hydration, spread some Sugar Recovery Lip Mask Advanced Therapy on before you hit the sack. This lip treatment, given the seal of approval by dermatologists and brimming with shea butter, berry wax, and hyaluronic acid, brings about overnight restoration and conditioning of lips, ensuring smooth, plump lips by daybreak.

Shea butter, a multitasker, perfects skin texture while it locks in moisture. Paired with vitamin E, it is a top choice for intensely dry skin. Using both these ingredients, our Lotus Antioxidant Night Moisturiser revitalises and detoxifies the skin, reducing signs of ageing and leaving your skin feeling well-rested and looking younger come morning.

Commonly Asked Questions

Which skin types receive the most benefit from this?

This practice especially favours those with dry or dehydrated skin, as it delivers intense moisture, offering a fresh, glowing complexion by daybreak.

How regularly should one slug?

Slugging is ideally carried out in the evening before catching your forty winks, allowing the moisturiser to work its wonders whilst you kip. For top results, slug between once and thrice weekly, tailored to your skin's condition.

Does it have a propensity to block pores?

Although slugging is purposed to encapsulate moisture, picking the right products for your skin type and using them properly should steer clear of pore occlusion. Nonetheless, it's vital to keep an eye on how your skin behaves and tweak the frequency as needed.

What products are best avoided when slugging?

Steer clear from exfoliants or potent substances like retinol, AHAs, or BHAs prior to slugging, as these can be inadvertently trapped, permeating deeper into your skin and potentially causing discomfort.

Rise and shine, feeling fresh!

Is the thought of slathering your face with petroleum jelly putting you off? Not to worry. You can still have a lustrous, dewy complexion without soiling your pillowcase. Simply choose our Rose Deep Hydration Moisturiser with strengthening damask rose extract or our Rose Deep Hydration Oil-Infused Serum created to deliver both deep hydration and nourishment.

Also, consider skin flooding.

No matter your skin type or issue, there's a fresh solution made for you.