Slugging is the practice of sealing your nighttime skincare under a final occlusive layer so moisture cannot escape while you sleep, leaving skin plump and hydrated by morning. It became a K-beauty and viral favourite because it transforms dry, dehydrated and flaky skin fast. Here is what slugging does, who should try it, and exactly how to do it.
In this article
- What is slugging?
- Who should try slugging?
- How to slug, step by step
- Slugging mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
What is slugging?
Slugging means applying an occlusive product as the very last step of your evening routine. An occlusive forms a breathable seal on the skin's surface that dramatically slows water loss overnight, so all the hydration and treatments you applied underneath stay locked in. The name comes from the glossy, slug-like sheen it leaves. You wake up to soft, bouncy, deeply hydrated skin.
Who should try slugging?
Slugging is best for dry, dehydrated or flaky skin, for skin with a compromised barrier, and during cold or low-humidity weather when moisture evaporates fast. If your skin is oily or acne-prone, slug sparingly or only on dry patches, since a heavy seal over breakout-prone areas can trap oil. A lighter route is to seal with a rich, ceramide cream rather than a heavy balm.
How to slug, step by step
Build hydration first, then seal it. Cleanse, then layer a hydrating toner or serum, then your usual treatment, then a moisturiser. As the final step, apply your occlusive seal. For most people a rich, barrier-repairing cream is the most comfortable, skin-friendly way to slug, and far lighter than a petrolatum balm.
Layer this hydrating, repairing serum before you seal, so there is plenty of moisture to lock in.
A rich, ceramide cream that seals in moisture overnight, a gentle, skin-friendly way to slug.
Slugging mistakes to avoid
Do not slug over active ingredients like retinol or strong acids, because sealing them in amplifies their strength and can irritate. Do not slug on unwashed skin, since you would trap the day's grime. And start with one or two nights a week rather than every night, especially if your skin is not very dry. Use an old pillowcase, as the seal can transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I slug?
For very dry skin, a few nights a week or nightly in winter is fine. For normal or combination skin, once or twice a week is plenty. Oily skin should slug only occasionally or on dry areas.
Can slugging cause breakouts?
It can if you seal over oily, congested skin or trap impurities, so always slug on freshly cleansed skin and go lighter if you are acne-prone. Using a non-comedogenic cream rather than a heavy balm reduces the risk.
Do I rinse it off in the morning?
Yes. Cleanse as usual in the morning to remove the seal, then carry on with your daytime routine and finish with SPF.
Wake up to plumper skin
Shop hydrating serums and rich creams to try slugging the gentle way.
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