All About Slugging: Build Your Protective Barrier, Overnight

Many people think any trace of oil on their skin will immediately lead to a breakout—but this just isn’t true.

Yes, excess oils left on the skin can contribute to breakouts, but if you cleanse so vigorously that you strip away all natural oils, you could be harming your skin’s protective barrier. Rather than removing this barrier, you should focus on strengthening it—and one K-beauty skincare trend is making this easier than ever.

Slugging

It’s called slugging, and it involves coating your face in an occlusive moisturizer as the final step in your nighttime routine. Slugging seals in hydration through the night, amplifying the effects of your other skincare products.

Though slugging has gained popularity recently on social media, it’s been practiced by cultures worldwide for decades. The primary goal of slugging is to retain hydration, fortifying your skin barrier to protect it from moisture loss. When you cocoon your face with an occlusive moisturizer, you’re helping to keep beneficial ingredients IN and unwanted irritants OUT—reducing water loss by up to 99%!

How Often Should I Be Slugging?

The frequency of slugging depends on your skin type and skin concerns. For dry skin, slugging several times a week may be beneficial, and some may even find daily slugging helpful. Oily skin types may prefer slugging less frequently or only during drier months, such as winter.

Since everyone’s skin is unique, try slugging and observe how your skin reacts to find the best frequency and moisturizer amount for your needs.

How to Start Slugging

Ready to add this K-beauty trend to your skincare routine? Follow these steps:

1. Cleanse

Start every skincare routine with a gentle face cleanse. Use one to two pumps of our refreshing MOISTURIZING WASH, emulsify, and massage onto a dry face. Rinse with warm water and a washcloth for an antioxidant-rich cleanse that keeps your moisture barrier intact.

For those who love double cleansing, our DOUBLE CLEANSE DUO includes our MANDARIN MELT CLEANSING BALM to dissolve dirt, sebum, and SPF, followed by the MOISTURIZING WASH. Double cleansing delivers a spa-quality deep clean while preparing your skin for maximum absorption of the next skincare products.

2. Treat With a Serum

Slugging is all about layering hydration. After cleansing, apply our PLUMPING SERUM with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and lock in moisture. Gently pat one or two pumps into your face, neck, and décolletage.

3. Get to Slugging

Instead of Vaseline or traditional petroleum-based products, combine a drop or two of our NOURISHING OIL with a bit of THE CREAM. THE CREAM is luxuriously rich, so a little goes a long way. Warm a small amount between your fingers and gently press onto your face and neck using upward strokes. This blend provides a unique slugging experience—the botanical antioxidants, organic phytonutrients, and pure oils hydrate deeply while balancing, nourishing, and calming your skin. Rather than just sealing in moisture, these products moisturize while offering additional skin health benefits.

4. Wake Up & Wash for a Fresh Glow

In the morning, a gentle cleanse with MOISTURIZING WASH will remove any remnants of THE CREAM, leaving your skin refreshed, radiant, and ready for the day!