We’ve told you all about slugging, now we’ll tell you how to make it five times more effective by enhancing your slugging routine.
If ‘slugging’ is an unfamiliar term for you, click HERE to discover what slugging is, how to do it, and who it is best suited for.
First things first, before slugging, make sure that your skin type is suitable for the practice. If it’s not, you could actually do more damage than repair.
1. For the best results, it should only be done a few times a week.
Why? Petroleum jelly doesn’t actually moisturise, it just holds moisture in the skin. This prevents transepidermal water loss which is a natural occurrence. Transepidermal water loss is the amount of water vapour evaporating from the surface of the skin, it directly affects the hydration levels of the skin.
There is such a thing as too much moisturising. According to dermatologist Dr Mariwalla, if vaseline is put on the skin every night, the normal skin functions will be disrupted, resulting in too much moisture retained in the skin. This can leave the skin and barrier dysfunctional, and even worsen the skin’s condition.
Sometimes less is more. So, to make slugging more effective, do it only a few nights a week. Perhaps Monday, Thursday and Saturday are good times to slug. Every other day your nightly routine minus the slugging, will give you the best results.
2. Another easy way to make your slugging routine five times more effective is by making sure you have the best products.
Vaseline ($2.99)
Vaseline is the staple slugging product as it’s gentle on skin, hypoallergenic (unlikely to cause an allergic reaction) and noncomedogenic (it won’t clog pores). It also protects the skin from windburn and chapping, as well as reduces the appearance of fine dry lines on the skin. Vaseline is perfect for slugging because it melts into the skin and flows into the dry cracks and crevices of the skin where moisture is needed most.
CeraVe Healing Ointment ($45)
CeraVe protects and soothes cracked and chafed skin, and doesn’t have a super heavy or greasy feel. CeraVe is great for slugging as it’s formulated with the three best essential ceramides for the skin, 1, 3 and 6-II. Ceramides are fats or lipids that are found in skin cells, and will help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($17.99)
Aquaphor is another one of the best products to have in your bathroom cabinet if you’re a regular slugger. This product is different from a standard lotion or cream. It’s a multi purpose ointment designed to protect and smooth extremely dry skin. Dermatologist Rachel Nazarian says that Aquaphor is suitable for skin because it prevents water from evaporating from the face, helping improve the skin barrier to keep it healthy.
To figure out if slugging works for you, test the chosen product on your skin by placing a thin layer onto the desired area for a few minutes, and check if the skin becomes irritated.
