All crazy about slugging!

Who doesn’t dream of a glowing, smooth skin? If you are a skin care addict, you surely have heard about slugging, the latest skin care trend that has gone viral on social media. Hailed by many as the ultimate skin care hack for dry skin, slugging also proved to be a highly effective treatment for brittle nails and straw-like hair.

So, is slugging the secret to perfect skin? There is a reason why this trend is stronger than ever: it works. Especially in dry climates or during fall/winter months when air becomes more abrasive (colder and drier). 

Whether you’re already familiar with it or just a slugging curious, here’s everything you need to know about the new skin care trend on the block.

A slug is born

In case you’re wondering, no: slugging has nothing to do with actual slugs (not anymore, at least!). This K-beauty skin care trend gets its name from the slimy, shiny appearance – reminiscent of a slug trail – that your skin has after being slathered with an occlusive petrolatum-based product, like petroleum jelly.

You’ve probably already figured out that slugging is not hydrating in itself, because it doesn’t add any moisture to the skin. Rather, it’s a practice meant to prevent transepidermal water loss and keep moisture in the skin. This is why slugging is best recommended as the last step of nighttime routine to treat dry skin: occlusives act as a barrier on the skin helping it stay moisturized for a long time.

To slug or not to slug: seal in hydration

To make it really work, the first step of your pre-slugging routine should always be to apply hydrating serums or creams on a super-cleansed face (so that no make-up residue or impurity will stay trapped underneath the thick “slug” film). Follow with your daily moisturizer and then top it with a layer of an occlusive of your choice.

Traditional slugging suggests the use of petroleum jelly because its thick viscosity helps the product stay in place, creating a sealing barrier that stays put while you sleep. However, its benefits come with a trade-off: after applying it, you will feel very goopy and sticky, and, unless you can easily sleep on your back, the risk of ruining your bed linens is very high. 

Although not comedogenic in itself, slugging is not recommended to oily and acne-prone skin, as it might clog pores. The protective “slug” layer can trap dead skin cells, sebum and debris, becoming a recipe for bacterial overgrowth and worsening acne breakouts.

Don’t like Petroleum Jelly? Try Semi-Slugging with Beauty Thinkers Antioxidant Boost 

If you want to enjoy the benefits of the latest K-beauty moisturizing hack without the mess and the chemicals from petroleum, we recommend semi-slugging your skin with Antioxidant Boost, our enzyme activated facial oil that softens and literally nourishes the skin barrier. Just apply 2 to 8 drops to seal-in your moisturizing treatment.

Antioxidant Boost stands out for its original vanishing texture that rapidly absorbs and vanishes without a trace of greasiness.  Powered by Hydroxytyrosol, the extremely powerful phenolic olive antioxidant compound, it targets dryness and irritation, the general signs of aging and skin barrier damage. Suitable both for mature and young skin,

Antioxidant Boost integrates with the skin’s natural oils and provides long-lasting hydration by helping the skin barrier seal in moisture and retain the skin’s water content. 

Unlike petroleum jelly, Antioxidant Boost moisturizes the skin with no trace of greasiness and is also suitable for oily and comb skin: you will seal-in hydration and nourishment without the messy laundering!

Recommended for cooler seasons and colder climates, Antioxidant Boost can make the difference in your fall skin care routine: if you haven’t already, take a look at our article on how to prepare your skin for winter.

How often should semi-slugging be done?

Good news: you can do semi-slugging all year round! Here are our tips on how to enjoy the slug life with Antioxidant Boost in different seasons: 

• Fall: 1-2 times per week
• Winter: 1-3 times per week (after day doing outdoor snow sports)
• Spring: 1-2 times per week
• Summer: 1 time per week (after day under the sun)

Perfect match: using Antioxidant Boost with Retinol and Exfoliants

During normal usage, Antioxidant Boost with Retinol and Chemical Exfoliants is great as it acts as a buffer to reduce potential skin irritation.

However, semi-slugging can expedite absorption of retinoids/chemical exfoliants too quickly causing potential irritation and, on top of that, by “locking-in” them in, you risk causing even more irritation. In other words, don’t do it.

Not just a pretty face: hair and nail semi-slugging 

Yes, you read that right: slugging is actually a highly versatile technique which can benefit the whole body, not just the face. Get ready to semi-slug your strands and fingers, too!

Antioxidant Boost is also perfect to hydrate dry, straw-like hair. How?

• Apply 2 to 8 drops to the ends of your hair;
• Wrap your hair in a sock;
• Secure the sock with a scrunchie.

In the morning, you will wake up to silky, hydrated, radiant hair.

Nail semi-slugging is not that different. After washing your hands, apply your favorite lotion, follow with oil around your cuticles and gently rub it in. Top it with 3 to 8 drops of Antioxidant Boost to seal-in hydration. You won’t need gloves as with traditional slugging. Simple as that!

Nail semi-slugging is highly effective in the treatment of damaged overprocessed or dry, brittle nails.

Now that you know everything about semi-slugging, why don’t you give it a go?