When you’ve been on social media recently, you’ve in all probability seen individuals asking: can slugging assist zits? Abruptly everybody’s masking their whole face in Vaseline prefer it’s the key to glass pores and skin, calling it the final word viral skincare pattern. And positive, the before-and-afters look convincing – shiny, glowy, “I simply awakened like this” type of pores and skin.
However let’s be actual: in the event you’ve bought acne-prone pores and skin or fall into the oily pores and skin sorts camp, the considered piling on a thick layer of petroleum jelly earlier than mattress sounds… nicely, gross. Like, received’t that simply entice micro organism below there? Gained’t it make your zits breakouts worse? Or is there really an opportunity it may calm a broken pores and skin barrier and assist your different energetic components (assume salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, hyaluronic acid) work higher?
That’s the large query. So as a substitute of providing you with fluffy TikTok suggestions, let’s break down what slugging really does, the science behind it, the advantages of slugging, and whether or not this complete skincare method is definitely an excellent match for individuals coping with zits.
First Issues First: What the Heck Is Slugging?
Slugging is principally smearing an occlusive product (often a petroleum-based product like Vaseline) because the final step in your skincare routine. The entire level is to create an occlusive layer (aka a movie on high of your pores and skin) that locks in every part beneath it. Dermatologists call this reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) – in plain English, it stops your pores and skin’s pure hydration from evaporating into the air in a single day.
Folks began speaking about slugging due to Okay-beauty. Yep, it was in style in South Korea earlier than TikTok picked it up and made it go mainstream. Over there, it was promoted as a good way to stop dryness and preserve a protecting barrier on the pores and skin. Within the West, it turned a meme as a result of, nicely, waking up wanting like a glazed donut is Instagram gold. However right here’s the place it will get tough: what works superbly for somebody with dry, flaky, or delicate pores and skin might not be a good suggestion for somebody who’s combating zits.
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The Science of Occlusive Components (And Why They Matter for Pimples)
The spine of slugging is occlusive components like petrolatum (the principle element of Vaseline), mineral oil, and generally lanolin. These sit on high of your pores and skin and type a protecting layer, stopping moisture loss. Out of all of them, petrolatum is the gold commonplace. It’s been studied for decades and shown to reduce transepidermal water loss by up to 99%. That’s why Vaseline is commonly utilized by a board-certified dermatologist after procedures like laser therapies or chemical peels – it helps heal broken pores and skin obstacles by retaining the atmosphere moist so pores and skin cells can regenerate correctly.
However right here’s the catch: while you put an occlusive layer in your face, you’re not simply locking in moisture. You’re additionally locking in every part else – your hyaluronic acid, your facial oil, your energetic components like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. Sounds superb, proper? They’ll penetrate higher and work more durable. Properly… not at all times. When you’ve bought delicate pores and skin, this could massively improve the danger of irritation. Some actives, like acids and retinoids, are already irritating sufficient on their very own. Seal them below an occlusive and it’s possible you’ll get up pink, flaky, or stinging. That’s why most derms advocate utilizing slugging over light skincare merchandise, not harsh exfoliants.
Can Slugging Assist Pimples?
Okay, so right here’s the deal: does slathering Vaseline in your face really assist zits, or does it simply make you appear to be a greaseball? Truthfully, zits isn’t at all times nearly oil and micro organism. Half the time we do it to ourselves. We go too exhausting with exfoliators, throw each zits therapy below the solar on our face, scrub at lifeless pores and skin cells like we’re making an attempt to sand wooden – and shock, our protecting barrier finally ends up wrecked. When that barrier’s trashed, your pores and skin will get cranky: pink, dry, itchy, infected, and yep… extra pimples.
That’s the angle the place slugging can really assist. If you slap on an occlusive layer (principally a skinny layer or perhaps a thick layer of petroleum jelly), you’re locking every part in, giving your pores and skin a break, and telling it, “hey, simply chill and restore tonight.” That protecting layer retains hydration in, so your pores and skin doesn’t freak out, and it might make it simpler to tolerate energetic components like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide with out your face burning off.
However let’s not child ourselves – slugging isn’t some zits miracle. It doesn’t kill micro organism, it doesn’t velocity up turnover like glycolic acid, and it’s not changing your go-to zits therapies. And in case your pores and skin’s on the oily or mixture pores and skin facet, coating your whole face in Vaseline can really feel heavy, sweaty, and generally even entice micro organism and oil in locations you don’t need it. That’s why individuals say slugging made their breakouts worse.
So yeah, in case your breakouts are principally from dryness or a busted barrier, slugging would possibly assist calm issues down. When you’re anticipating it to erase pimples in a single day? Nah, that’s not taking place.
How To Do Slugging With out Wrecking Your Pores and skin
Wanna attempt slugging however terrified it’ll make your face explode in zits? Right here’s easy methods to play it secure:
- Don’t go full donut: When you’ve bought acne-prone pores and skin, don’t slather your complete face. Simply do the driest spots – cheeks, across the nostril – and depart the oily T-zone alone.
- Hold it boring beneath: This isn’t the evening to your acids. No energetic components, no experiments. Follow hydrating stuff like hyaluronic acid and a light-weight moisturizer, then lock it in.
- Skinny layer > cake frosting: You don’t must shellac your face. A skinny layer does the job. Save the “glazed donut look” (aka a thick layer of petroleum jelly) for when your broken pores and skin barrier is screaming.
- Follow the fundamentals: Plain Vaseline or Aquaphor is your good friend. Skip the flowery balms with oils and smells – that’s a one-way ticket to delicate pores and skin meltdowns.
- All the time the final step: Slugging is your remaining step, not your first. Lock all of it in on the finish of your evening routine, and positively don’t attempt to put make-up or sunscreen on high within the morning.
The Advantages of Slugging (When Carried out Proper)
Even in case you have zits, there are particular advantages of slugging when it’s carried out neatly:
- Helps restore a broken pores and skin barrier
- Reduces transepidermal water loss so your pores and skin stays hydrated
- Helps therapeutic for delicate pores and skin or infected pores and skin situations
- Makes your skincare merchandise simpler by sealing them in
- Offers a protecting layer in opposition to harsh environments (chilly air, air pollution, wind)
This is the reason derms usually advocate it after therapies – it’s actually like shrink-wrapping your pores and skin to assist it heal.
The Dangers and When It’s Not a Good Concept
That mentioned, slugging isn’t for everybody. When you’re actively breaking out with cystic zits, masking every part in Vaseline is often not a good suggestion. The occlusive layer received’t magically repair the micro organism, hormones, or irritation driving these pimples – and it may make them really feel worse by retaining your pores and skin oily and congested.
It’s additionally not nice in the event you’re mid-way by way of sturdy zits therapies (like prescription retinoids or antibiotics), except your board-certified dermatologist explicitly tells you to slug to cut back irritation. In some instances, slugging would possibly counteract these therapies by making your pores and skin extra delicate to them.
And for individuals with oily pores and skin sorts or mixture pores and skin, slugging the entire face is often overkill. Follow focused slugging on dry areas as a substitute.
What To Do As an alternative Of Slugging (That Works10X Higher)
To this point, I’ve given you the analysis. Now, I’ll offer you my private take. I’m NOT a fan of sluggish. As a result of except you could have dry pores and skin, slathering your pores and skin in petrolatum isn’t the very best thought. Right here’s what I’d do as a substitute:
- Barrier restore lotions: Search for moisturizers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and fatty acids. These principally rebuild the “mortar” between your pores and skin cells so your face holds on to water without having an occlusive product on high. CeraVe PM Moisturising Lotion (appropriate for all pores and skin sorts) and Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer (higher for dry pores and skin) are wonderful selections.
- Light-weight facial oils: If petrolatum feels too suffocating, just a few drops of one thing like squalane or jojoba can act as a gentler protecting layer. Oils received’t block transepidermal water loss in addition to Vaseline, however in addition they received’t really feel such as you slept in butter.
- Skip the overkill: Half the time a “wrecked barrier” is from piling on too many energetic components. Dial again the glycolic acid, go simpler on salicylic acid scrubs, and don’t double up on benzoyl peroxide simply because TikTok informed you to. Generally your pores and skin doesn’t want extra – it wants much less.
- Layer smarter: As an alternative of slugging, attempt ending your skincare routine with a heavier cream or balm. It’ll nonetheless lock stuff in, simply not as aggressively as a full-on Vaseline masks. Consider it as “slugging lite.
So yeah – slugging will be a good way to repair broken pores and skin, nevertheless it’s not the one manner. You don’t must get up together with your pillow sticking to your face to get the advantages of slugging.
Backside Line: Ought to You Strive Slugging for Pimples?
So, can slugging assist zits? Form of. It’s not drugs, it’s upkeep. Slugging can calm a broken pores and skin barrier and lower down on transepidermal water loss, nevertheless it received’t kill zits micro organism or exchange your zits therapies. In case your breakouts come from dryness or irritation, a skinny layer of Vaseline because the final step in your routine may be a good way to assist. However in the event you’re oily, already breaking out, or hate feeling such as you dipped your face in butter, it’s in all probability not an excellent match. And truthfully? I’m not into slugging. Until your pores and skin is tremendous dry, masking your complete face in a petroleum-based product simply feels pointless. There are simpler methods to guard your barrier that don’t depart you sticking to your pillow.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – day by day. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that will help you determine what’s well worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that will help you create the very best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
