A Clean Twist on Slugging Your Skin

By Editor On Apr 26, 2022

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Photo courtesy of Nikki Cruz

A Clean Twist on Slugging Your Skin

There’s a skin-routine hack on TikTok that we love in theory—the idea is an extra, occlusive layer that goes on last in a skin-care routine, sealing in all the benefits and delivering additional moisture at the same time. It’s called slugging, and it can be a great technique, particularly when done with a few clean beauty tweaks.

The viral trend involves slathering skin with petroleum jelly as a final step in a nighttime skin-care routine. But while petroleum jelly is moisturizing, it can be supremely pore clogging. It’s also a by-product of crude oil production (it collects on oil rig machinery), and unrefined petroleum jelly can contain potentially dangerous contaminants, including a group of carcinogens called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, according to the Environmental Working Group.

The goop version of slugging starts with rich balms or oils rather than petroleum jelly. An advantage they have over petroleum jelly (beyond being clean and petrochemical-free) is that they deliver skin-boosting nutrients—from bakuchiol and other antioxidants to nourishing botanicals—to help smooth skin texture, firm, and increase glow.

The Best Balms, Creams, and Oils for Slugging

Slather these on just before bed over all the other nighttime skin essentials you swear by. If you have very dry skin, you might do this daily, or if you’re oily or acne prone or even have pretty normal skin, maybe keep it to every few nights.
The most important part: Listen to your skin!

Super thick

Surya
Balancing
Collagen Cream
goop, $185

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Light and silky

Furtuna Skin
Due Alberi Biphase
Moisturizing Oil
goop, $225

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Made with sea buckthorn, carrot, and tomato-seed oil

Okoko
Sublime Balm
goop, $83

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Rich—yet okay
for oily skin

Tamara Dutta
Rosehip Smoothie Balm
goop, $150

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Ultrasoothing

de Mamiel
Skin Recovery Blend
goop, $168

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Targets wrinkles
and firmness

goop Beauty
GOOPGENES All-in-One
Nourishing Face Cream
goop, $98/$86 with subscription

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Plumps and smooths

The Organic Pharmacy
Rose Diamond Face Cream
goop, $418

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Moisturizing oil

Le Prunier
Plum Beauty Oil
goop, $72

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Supercharge “the Slug” with an Exfoliation Night

For the dewiest and most luminous-looking skin, exfoliate (a lot) before you slug. If you can, start the night before with a 15 percent glycolic acid overnight peel pad. You’ll notice the glow right away the next morning, but the morning after that—post–ultramoisturizing slugging step—you just will not believe your skin.

Start by cleansing away makeup and dirt—but let your skin dry fully before the exfoliating step.

Cleanse first.

MACRENE actives
High Performance Cleanser
goop, $95

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Then swipe.

goop Beauty
GOOPGLOW 15% Glycolic Acid
Overnight Glow Peel
goop, $125/$112 with subscription

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And if your skin’s too sensitive for a peel, exfoliate with Microderm—gentler but absolutely effective—the night before.

goop Beauty
GOOPGLOW Microderm Instant Glow Exfoliator
goop, $125/$112 with subscription

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Slugging Night

After a night of exfoliation, you’re ready for the ultimate hydration. If you’ve got a good routine already, simply top it off with one of the great balms or creams above. Or customize the routine below.