What Is Slugging?

"Slugging" sounds slimy and vaguely sexual. But really this Korean beauty trend--which is all over TikTok and a Gen Z addiction--is incredibly affordable and easy to try. Simply put: You apply a pea-sized amount of a petroleum-based product like Aquaphor on your face as a final step in your skincare routine. In essence, you're just locking in your serum or moisturizer. (Petroleum-based products are occlusives and seal your skin like a Ziploc baggie.) I've been slugging for the past two weeks and my skin is plumper and softer, thanks to heightened hydration. I do it for a few hours during the day--and look as shiny as a disco ball until I wash my face--because I don't want to wake up to a greasy pillow. (As a woman who has passed out in bed after making love to a pizza, I can assure you that a greasy pillow is a bad look.) If you have acne-prone skin, avoid this trend.

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