Although your skin may bounce back from various forms of damaging treatment, it is still a delicate part of your body. Believe it or not, damaging your skin’s moisture barrier is much easier than you think; simply living in a dry climate can cause your skin to become imbalanced. You may have heard of the slugging trend, and while the name is unusual, you should know whether or not the trend of slugging can repair a damaged moisture barrier.
Factors That Damage the Moisture Barrier
Your skin’s moisture barrier helps regulate oil production and overall hydration. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly easy to cause damage to this barrier. Consider the following common factors that may cause damage:
- Not drinking enough water
- Inconsistent following skincare practices
- Living in a dry climate or traveling from humid to dry climates
- Not cleansing after excessive sweating
- Using drying or harsh skincare products
What Is Slugging?
Slugging is a popular skincare practice used by many to restore hydration in the skin. You may be wondering why it’s called slugging—the answer is that it makes your skin look like a slug during the process. Interestingly, this practice involves putting a thin layer of petroleum jelly on your skin to lock in moisture from your skincare products and prevent water loss. Although it may not sound appealing, this practice can work wonders for your face.
Does It Work?
The short answer is yes. By topping your other hydration products with a thick, occlusive moisturizer, you can correct your dry, flaky, irritated skin by locking in moisture and slowly allowing your skin’s barrier to repair itself. However, some people may experience clogged pores and breakouts as a result of the excess moisture in their skin.
How and When To Slug Your Skin
Although slugging may be a positive thing for your skin, you shouldn’t make it a regular part of your skincare routine. With that said, you can consider using this method on an as-needed basis. Overnight is the best time to slug your skin, and your evening routine should look something like this:
- Use a gentle cleanser
- Apply toner
- Add a hydrating serum
- Apply your usual moisturizer
- Top it off with a thin layer of petroleum jelly
After learning whether the slugging trend can repair a damaged moisture barrier, you may decide to add the practice to your skincare arsenal. If you don’t want to risk unwanted breakouts, consider an acne-safe skincare set to keep your face glowing, clear, and smooth. Regardless of whether you have excessively dry skin, it’s possible to damage your skin barrier. Therefore, restoring moisture is crucial for your skin’s overall health, and slugging may be an effective solution.