Slugging sounds like the weirdest thing you can do for dry skin — but it actually works

When your skin is extremely parched and moisturizer alone just isn't cutting it, sometimes you have to go a little bit extra. Like, " slathering petroleum jelly all over your face" extra. It's called slugging and chances are, even if you've heard of it, you've wondered what it is. Simply put, it's the practice of sealing your skin care in with an occlusive product as the final step in your nighttime routine. Yes, in a world of "lightweight" serums and moisturizers, this little overnight hack might sound a little unhinged, but come morning, you apparently have the softest, most hydrated skin of your life.

Like skin flooding and other skin care trends circulating on our social feeds the past few years, slugging isn't really new — petroleum jelly has been used as a skin protectant since the 1800s, and derms have been recommending this technique for ages. (It didn't get a catchy name until it was popularized by K-beauty and skin care aficionados on Reddit and TikTok.) If your skin has been feeling perpetually parched no matter what you try, this might be the thing that finally helps. After all, there has to be a reason why this has become so popular, right?

What is slugging?

According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Farber of Schweiger Dermatology , "Skin slugging involves applying an occlusive product like Vaseline or Aquaphor to help with hydration and lock in moisture." (Whoever actually coined the name was brilliant, since it comes from the glossy, slimy sheen it leaves on your skin.)

The keyword here is occlusive . Unlike humectants, which add water to the skin, occlusives form a physical barrier on the skin's surface that seals in everything beneath. Applied after serums and moisturizer, that final layer locks your entire routine in place so it can work undisturbed while you snooze.

The benefits of slugging

The biggest draw here is, obviously, intense hydration. Candace Marino, a celebrity facialist whose clients include Miranda Kerr, Kourtney Kardashian, Penelope Cruz and Rose Byrne, explains that slugging "seals in hydration and reduces transepidermal water loss," meaning it stops moisture from evaporating off your skin overnight. When you wake up, your skin feels noticeably softer, plumper and more supple. Marino also notes it supports barrier repair, helps calm irritation and can speed up skin recovery — making it especially useful during times when your skin is feeling reactive or run-down.

Another bonus of slugging is that it basically supercharges the rest of your skin care routine. Sealing in your serums and moisturizer gives those ingredients more time to absorb, so that the pricey hyaluronic acid or peptide serum you patted on actually gets to work.

Who is slugging best for?

Because petroleum jelly is fragrance-free and about as biologically inert as a skin care ingredient gets — meaning it won't trigger a significant immune response, toxicity or interaction when applied — it's unlikely to cause irritation on its own. That said, Marino stresses that slugging is "a tool for barrier repair, not a one-size-fits-all step," and that it should always be tailored to the individual.

"Slugging is best for dry skin types," says Farber. "It should be done judiciously in oily or acne-prone skin, as it may cause clogging and breakouts. Treating spot areas of dryness will likely be tolerable in more oily skin."

If you'd rather skip petrolatum entirely, the good news is, you can still slug! "You can achieve similar results with balms and rich oils, though the finish and level of occlusion may differ," says Marino. "I personally don't recommend petrolatum to anyone; I prefer balms that have actions like reducing inflammation and redness, providing antioxidants, moisturizing, etc."

How to slug, step-by-step

Step 1:Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser. Keep it slightly damp.

Step 2 (optional):Use a hydrating toner or essence for added moisture.

Step 3:Apply a hydrating serum, but be selective with your actives. "It may be tolerable to use certain active ingredients that are gentle or hydrating, like hyaluronic acid or peptides, before moisturizer, but drying ingredients like retinoids may feel more irritating when using an occlusive," explains Farber.

Step 4:Apply moisturizer. Again, keep it simple and stick to a formula with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, ceramides, peptides or aloe vera.

Step 5:Slug with your occlusive of choice. You don't have to slather a ton of it on. A pea-to-dime-sized amount is plenty; you don't need a thick layer.

As for how often, Farber says very dry skin can be slugged daily, while normal skin may only need two to three times per week. Marino lands in a similar place, recommending two to four times per week for dry skin and once or twice for normal skin.

The best products for slugging

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