Although it may sound slimy and it reminds us of a slug, slugging has literally taken over the internet with its viral status. Thanks to the Reddit forum and viral TikTok videos, all of the beauty junkies have nothing but praises for this Korean skincare trend. Before you jump into the bandwagon and slather your face with petroleum jelly, there are few things that you should know about slugging.

Similar to other beauty trends, all of them tend to end up on our skincare routine but the real question remains unknown. Is it really working or is slugging just another overrated trend? So, Beauty Insider decided to reach out to Dr. Lim Ing Kien or commonly know as Dr. Ingky to attain his perspective from a dermatologist’s point of view.

What is Slugging?

Dr. Ingky, a founder of Medii Skin Studio and SkynFyx stated that “Slugging is a process of sealing off your skin at the end of the day with an occlusive ointment, usually petroleum jelly. It is meant to lock in all the moisture and keep your skin from being dehydrated at night.” He cited a few products that are best for slugging such as Vaseline, Cerave healing ointment, and Aquaphor.

So, you might be thinking what makes slugging different from applying regular moisturizer, right? We do too. It seems that there’s a science behind this skincare trend. “By applying a layer of occlusive ointment, moisture from under the skin doesn’t get to evaporate at night, locking in the hydration of your skin overnight. The occlusive ointment also prevents your moisturizer from smudging all over your pillowcase and mattress, increasing the effectiveness of your moisturizer,” Dr. Ingky told Beauty Insider.

What are the Benefits of Slugging?

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With the evidence of science behind this trend, it is no wonder that more skin junkies have sworn by slugging and claim it as the ultimate secret to their radiant skin. Dr. Ingky shared with us that the primary benefit of slugging is that it helps to promote well-hydrated skin and it delivers a shiny glow. Slugging can also minimize the signs of aging like fine lines and crow’s feet. Besides, it is linked to the reduction of open pores. For those that suffer from dry or chapped lips, Dr. Ingky stated that slugging can treat such lip concerns.

Plus, Dr. Ingky told Beauty Insider that slugging can help to reduce the risk of skin related issues due to the pandemic, specifically mask acne. Despite its amazing benefits, Dr. Ingky warned that such a beauty trend may cause irritation and trigger acne if you have oily or acne prone skin. So, lovelies remember to check whether the beauty trend is compatible with your skin type to avoid any potential side effects.

How to Slugging Correctly?

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In order to ensure the effectiveness of this skincare technique, it is imperative that you incorporate this routine with the right step. Dr. Ingky advised that “At the end of the day right before sleeping, apply a thin layer of your slugging ointment all over your face and lips.”

Dr. Ingky stated that you can even use the slugging technique to apply it to any dry parts of your body like knees or elbows. Make sure to leave the product overnight before rinsing it off in the morning.

How often should You Slug Your Face?

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When it comes to slugging, you need to gradually add it into your skincare routine, instead of going overboard with it. Dr. Ingky recommended that doing this skincare method once every two or three days. Then after the third session, you can incorporate slugging as a daily method if your skin does not show any signs of breakouts or allergic reactions.

We also asked Dr. Ingky to share with us the tips for slugging and he advised that we start slow. He said that it is important to not be over enthusiastic about it by treating it as a daily routine. He informed that to just apply one finger full of the product before heading to bed.

Which Skin Types are Suitable for Slugging?

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As we mentioned before slugging is not something that you want to do if you have acne-prone or oily skin as it can worsen your existing conditions. We’re sure that most of the readers heard that products that contain petroleum jelly may lead to breakout and Dr. Ingky shared that, “It is partially true in people with acne prone skin.”Fret not because there is a suitable alternative that you can opt which is by applying a hydrating mask or overnight gel. However, make sure to go for a product that features a water-based formula.

Is it Dermatologist Approved?

The golden question that has been lingering on everybody’s mind, is slugging dermatologist approved routine? It seems that this beauty trend is viral for a reason as Dr. Ingky confirmed what we suspected all along. Slugging has been practice by dermatologists all over the world to treat people with dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema. He specifically stated that “However now we find that slugging has its benefits for most people without skin issues.”

Have you tried slugging before? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below, and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest update!