Deep Moisture: The Art of Slugging

You may have heard the term “slugging” used in skincare recently. Slugging in skincare refers to a trend that involves applying a thick layer of occlusive agent, (typically petroleum jelly but we will suggest a far better alternative), all over the face before bedtime. This technique originates from the Korean beauty community and has gained popularity worldwide due to its ability to lock in moisture and create a barrier that prevents water loss from the skin overnight. The term "slugging" comes from the resemblance of the thick layer of product to the slimy trail left behind by a slug. Nice. Advocates of slugging claim that it helps to hydrate the skin, improve its texture, and enhance the effectiveness of other skincare products by sealing in their active ingredients. The Biode team agree! Slugging a couple of times a week leaves the skin plump and really bouncy. It isn’t wise for acne-prone skin, but it is particularly good for dry or aging skin or after any sort of wind, cold or sun damage.

So, what sort of “occlusive” ingredient should you be looking for? Certainly not petroleum jelly which is a mineral oil and fossil fuel by-product that won’t let the skin breathe. Natural occlusive ingredients harness the power of botanical extracts and plant-based oils to form a protective barrier on the skin's surface, locking in moisture and enhancing hydration, without blocking pores. These ingredients include plant oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil, as well as botanical butters like cocoa butter, shea butter, and mango butter. Additionally, camellia wax, beeswax and lanolin are natural substances known for their occlusive properties. These natural ingredients often contain additional nutrients and antioxidants that nourish the skin, making them not only a great barrier to “slug” in the rest of your skin, but an added skincare bonus in their own right.

 

At Biode we make a point of being skinimalist: in other words, using the least amount of products to do the most amount of work. You don’t need a lot of products to have excellent skin, they just have to be high quality, well-made, powerful natural products. With that in mind, we make our Skin Salve-ation work double, triple and many more extra duties for your skin and one of those duties is being the perfect slugger for a once or twice a week deep, overnight moisture treatment. Skin Salve-ation is a 100% natural and vegan blend of natural occlusive oils (coconut, jojoba, hemp seed and pumpkinseed), butters (cocoa and shea) and waxes (candelilla)  perfect as a top layer over your night time skincare routine.

 The perfect slug?

Cleanse your skin thorough of any makeup, sunscreen and daily grime. Treat and moisturise your skin with your usual serum and night cream and then gently rub our Skin Salve-ation balm over the top of everything pressing it into your skin with your fingers. It will form a light barrier over the top of everything and lock it in while you sleep. When you wake up, massage any left-over balm into your skin and enjoy the most hydrated skin you can imagine. All natural, all in one product. That’s slugging done right!

 

PS – Want a breakdown of the ingredients in Skin Salve-ation? You got it.

• Sunflower Oil: Rich in vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids, sunflower oil helps to moisturize the skin, protect against environmental damage, and promote a healthy skin barrier.
• Shea Butter: Known for its deeply moisturizing properties, shea butter is rich in vitamins A and E, making it ideal for nourishing and soothing dry or irritated skin.
• Coconut Oil: With its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, coconut oil helps to hydrate the skin, reduce inflammation, and protect against bacteria, making it beneficial for various skin types.
• Candelilla Wax: Candelilla wax acts as a natural emollient, forming a protective barrier on the skin's surface to lock in moisture and prevent water loss. This is top slugging potential!
• Jojoba Oil: Similar in composition to the skin's natural sebum, jojoba oil helps to balance oil production, moisturize the skin without clogging pores, and soothe inflammation.
• Hemp Seed Oil: Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp seed oil nourishes and hydrates the skin while helping to regulate oil production, making it suitable for both dry and oily skin types.
• Cocoa Butter: Cocoa butter is highly moisturizing and contains antioxidants that help to improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks, and soothe dry or irritated skin.
• Rosehip Oil: Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as essential fatty acids, rosehip oil helps to brighten the skin, fade dark spots, improve texture, and promote collagen production.
• Calendula Oil: Calendula oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it effective for soothing irritated or sensitive skin and promoting healing.
• Pumpkin Seed Oil: Rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, pumpkin seed oil helps to hydrate the skin, regulate oil production, and promote cell turnover for a smoother complexion.
• Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil: Seabuckthorn oil is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help to nourish and protect the skin, improve elasticity, and reduce inflammation.
• Lavender Essential Oil: Lavender oil has soothing and calming properties, making it beneficial for reducing redness, irritation, and inflammation, as well as promoting relaxation and stress relief.