To slug or not to slug is the question. Still, one I ask myself, do I want to go out and buy vaseline and hair oil, or is your current skincare enough? Slugging, the “newest TikTok” skincare and haircare trend, really isn’t new. Slugging is the act of putting skincare products that form a protective layer over the skin. The most common form of facial slugging is by using vaseline to create a layer that protects your skin.
Slugging comes from the idea of making your skin glow and looks slimy, just like the surface of a slug, totally normal, right? This usually is a process that happens at night. The type of product used to slug is known as an occlusive. The moisturizer creates a layer over your skin that stops loss of hydration, which is usually great for dry skin.
Slugging is a skincare trend that caught on through TikTok, but in reality, it has been a ritual many women worldwide have used for centuries. Is it new, or why did it come back? Do I think it is a bad idea if you want to moisturize your skin without clogging your pores? No, this could be a great method for you to use! Does this mean you should run out and buy CeraVe, Aquaphor, and Vaseline? Not exactly, this works if you had some on hand and want to try it or if this would be so perfect for your skin that you want to buy protective skincare. However, I never recommend buying lots of products just because of a social media trend.
Not only did slugging take over skincare, but it is also slowly starting to infiltrate the haircare segment. A video I saw showed someone putting hair oil at the ends of her hair and then wrapping her ponytail up in a sock. This would be culturally awful to call this a new trend as women have been doing this for hundreds of years. Specifically, in India, women will put oil on their hair for as short as 15 minutes but all the way to overnight as that is the best way to hydrate your hair.
I believe there are pros and cons for any type of slugging, neither very serious but very dependent on the person. I may be crazy, but I think about how you could get your pillow sticky with Vaseline and how this could transfer to your hair while you are sleeping. You might look a little crazy going to bed with a sock at the end of your ponytail and your face covered in Aquaphor; however, it might be fun scaring your roommates or partner when you walk into the kitchen to get your water before bed. None of these are very serious, just good things to keep in mind. However, these are great methods for people with dry skin and hair on a serious note. If you have oily hair and skin, this would be good to think about or talk to your dermatologist about.
A big aspect of any skin or hair care method is knowing your skin type and hair texture because laying products on top of each other may not be a great choice for your skin and hair care. Social media can be a great place to learn about new ideas for skincare, haircare, and makeup. However, never feel pressured to buy products to keep up with social media. Trends come and go however it is also important to keep in mind the cultures and people who have been practicing these methods for years. Research is essential with anything, especially anything you put onto your skin. If this is a good method for you, happy slugging!
Words by Annika Petersen.
Graphic by Fai McCurdy.