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WHAT IS SLUGGING IN SKINCARE?
Slugging is the practice of applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly (brand name Vaseline) as the final step in your nighttime routine. It forms a physical barrier on your skin that locks in moisture and stops it from evaporating overnight.
The name comes from the shiny, slightly greasy look it leaves behind, but don’t let that put you off. The technique has solid roots in dermatology, long before it went viral on social media.¹
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SLUGGING FOR MEN'S SKIN?
Dry, compromised, or winter-exposed skin on both your face and body can benefit the most from slugging. It helps:
- Prevent overnight dryness: Sealing the skin helps reduce overnight moisture loss,¹ which may leave it feeling less tight in the morning.
- Support your skin barrier: Cold weather, hot showers, and shaving all weaken your skin barrier. Slugging gives it a recovery window overnight.
- Make your moisturizer work harder: Whatever you apply after cleansing or shaving like a moisturizer or post-shave balm gets sealed in and given longer to absorb. Slugging is a multiplier, not a replacement.
- Soothe post-shave skin: Shaving can leave the skin temporarily irritated and sensitive. A thin layer of petroleum jelly protects while it heals.
- Target flaky body zones: Shins, elbows, knees, and ankles have fewer natural oils than your face, which is why they dry out fastest in winter and respond well to slugging.
WHO SHOULD TRY SLUGGING AND WHO SHOULD SKIP IT?
Not every skin type or body part needs it, so here's a quick guide:
WHY CLEANSING MATTERS FOR SLUGGING TO WORK
Slugging seals in whatever's already on your skin. This means if you've washed with a harsh soap that strips your natural moisture, you're just locking that dryness in place. That's also a common reason your skin feels dry after a shower in the first place.
According to R&D Manager at Unilever, Bivash Dasgupta, “Harsh surfactants in some soap bars and body washes can leach out skin oils and damage the outer layer of the skin, causing dryness and irritation.” That’s exactly what you want to avoid.
The fix is straightforward. Use a gentle body wash or cleansing bar before you slug. Unlike traditional bar soaps, which can strip the skin, cleansing bars are formulated with moisturizing ingredients that cleanse without stripping your skin. This is especially important if you're slugging to help with dry skin.
HOW DO YOU SLUG YOUR FACE PROPERLY?
If your skin is a good match for face slugging, start slowly with 1 to 2 nights a week and increase only if your skin tolerates it well. Follow these nighttime steps:
1. Cleanse properly: Wash your face to remove dirt, oil, and buildup. Avoid harsh soaps that leave your face feeling tight. Go for a gentle cleansing bar instead with added moisturizing cream.
2. Hydrate damp skin: Apply your daily moisturizer or face lotion while the skin is still slightly damp. This is what the seal will lock in overnight.
3. Apply the seal: Use a tiny, pea-sized amount of petroleum jelly. Warm it between your fingers and pat a thin layer over your face. If you have oily skin, avoid applying to the T-zone.
4. Protect your pillowcase: Use a clean pillowcase you don't mind getting greasy and change it regularly.
5. Wash in the morning: Cleanse your face properly when you wake up to remove the overnight seal before your daytime routine.
HOW DO YOU SLUG YOUR BODY?
Body slugging works best on areas that dry out fastest like shins, elbows, knees, ankles, and the backs of hands. Start with 2 - 3 nights a week. For severely dry or cracked skin, daily application until it heals is fine. Follow these steps to get the most out of a body-slugging routine for men:
1. Cleanse while protecting your skin: Skip harsh cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight. A moisturizing body wash that's gentle enough for daily use sets up your skin properly for everything that follows.
2. Pat dry: Once out of the shower, gently pat yourself dry, don’t rub. Leave your skin slightly damp.
3. Lock in lotion: Apply body lotion to damp skin. You have about three minutes before water evaporates from your skin, so don't wait.¹ Slugging works best when there's moisture already locked into your skin before you seal it.
4. Spot-apply petroleum jelly: Focus on wherever the dryness, roughness, or flaking is most concentrated and apply a thin layer.
5. Cover up: Wear loose pajamas or cover the treated areas before you go to sleep to protect your bedding.
FAQs
What exactly is slugging?
It’s applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly as the final step of your nighttime routine, sealing in moisture while you sleep.
What are the benefits of slugging?
It reduces overnight moisture loss, supports your skin barrier, and helps your moisturizer work harder. For men, slugging is useful for softening rough elbows, knees, and dry shins, areas that take a beating in winter. It’s also worth trying for post-shave irritation around the neck and jaw.
Does slugging work for dry skin?
Slugging for dry skin is where the technique really delivers. It prevents overnight moisture loss, helps your moisturizer absorb properly, and gives dry, rough areas a recovery window while you sleep.
Does it work for all skin types?
It's best suited to dry, dehydrated, or winter-stressed skin. If your skin is oily, skip it or limit it to the driest areas only.
Can you slug your body, not just your face?
Absolutely. Body slugging works especially well on rough, dry areas like shins, elbows, and knees. These are places with fewer oil glands that dry out fastest in cold weather.
How often should you slug?
Start with 2–3 nights a week on dry body areas. Save daily application for severely dry or stubborn winter patches.
Winter is when the skin on your body and face needs the most from your grooming habits, and slugging is one of the simplest ways to give it that. Cleanse right, moisturize while your skin is still damp, and let the petroleum jelly do the rest overnight. One extra step, and your skin will feel the difference by morning.
References
1. Cleveland Clinic. Slugging: Can This Skincare Trend Work? 2024.
