“Slugging” Is the Skincare Trend Going Viral on Reddit

When I come across someone with oily skin , I think about what it’s like to maintain a barrier. As a child, between Clarisonics Astringents, Clarisonics, along with Noxzema, American teens were taught that the most important thing to have “good skin” was to scrub off any trace of oil. Being a person with dry genetic skin, this method didn’t do me any favors, and I decided to avoid all skincare. It was my French godmother (my marraine) to help me learn an alternative method. I spend the majority of my time trying to strengthen my water barrier.

I’m not sure what caused it, but my marraine brought me a bottle of Nivea cold cream. My skin always is tight and itchy, especially in wintertime. What ever the reasons, when I popped into the blue container I didn’t realize I was gazing at the first step towards my holy grail of better-looking, healthier and less sensitive skin. taking a slug.

The phrase is believed to have originated from the 2014 article in 2014 on Reddit. Although Vaseline is mentioned in a few tutorials on glass skin, it’s an extremely well-known secret that is not just for K-Pop stars as well as famous people from and around the U.S. In fact, the very first report that attributes Slugging to K-Beauty isn’t cited, therefore it isn’t possible to confirm that this is where the concept originated. Additionally, you should remember that Black women have used Vaseline in their skincare routines for a long time.

According to a popular Reddit article, slugging refers to the act of taking Vaseline or petrolatum and coating your face with it and waking up rejuvenated. My marraine has never given me a bottle of Vaseline, Nivea is a mixture with petrolatum (Vaseline) as well as mineral oil and glycerin, which is basically the slug with advantages.

What Is Slugging?

Slugging is a popular trend in the world of skincare that involves slapping your face with petrolatum, or Vaseline. This is intended to stop transepidermal loss of water and to keep moisture on your skin. It is recommended for people with dry skin.

Slugging, Explained

It is recommended to use Dr. Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist board-certified in Boston and the former director of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology The main ingredient in Vaseline petrolatum is safe for use on your skin. Contrary to what you find in the web, this ingredient is so secure it is recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology recommends the use of it on children who suffer from Eczema. 1 As to whether or not to apply the product onto your skin, Hirsch states the fact that “some people may find it too occlusive for their tastes” however it’s not a matter of safety, but an issue of whether you’re the look of dipping your face in a vat of Crisco. To be clear, that’s my style.

As I’ve grown older I’ve graduated from Nivea and earned my master’s in petrolatum. In the evenings, especially in winter, once I’m done in my regimen, I apply the size of a pea on my face to complete the step. I’ve found that it helps the moisturizer work harder and my skin is less swollen, and it does not alter my skincare routine like cold cream. The Dr. Angelo Landriscina, a dermatologist from New York, has confirmed that petrolatum is a great treatment for dry skin. The condition of Keratinocytes (skin cells) and lipids is essential to your barrier.

Lipids are the glue used to keeps your stratum corneum the outermost layer of your skin in good condition. Without lipids, your skin will be damaged as lower levels of lipids in your skin causes transepidermal loss of water. 2 When the lipids present in your skin have been depleted, regardless of whether it’s due to your genetic lottery, your environment or even an excessively enthusiastic peel, glue becomes damaged and the barrier releases water. Petrolatum can help fix this. 3

MEET THE EXPERT

· Dr. Ranella Hirsch is a dermatologist who is board certified in Boston and was the former vice president for the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology. She is the writer of the book on dermatology Aesthetic Skin Rejuvenation and Regional.

· Dr. Angelo Landriscina is a dermatologist based in New York, an award-winning scientist as well as a medical journalist.

· Dr. Camille H-Verovic is a dermatologist who is based within New York City and the founder of GIRL+HAIRwhich is an innovative multi-cultural Hair care company.

The Advantages of Slugging

Dr. Landriscina explains how Vaseline is an occlusive and skin protector, preventing the loss of 99% of transepidermal fluid. It is important to not cover all of your face for prolonged periods of time. So “that 1% TEWL speaks to the advantages of petrolatum over other occlusives that just form an impermeable barrier on top of the skin,” Landriscina says. Evidently, you’re looking for water loss since the oil “acts as a signal that tells your skin to produce more intercellular lipids thereby repairing the skin barrier.” If you completely block your skin, once you take off the occlusive the skin returns to. According to Landriscina “Petrolatum prevents most water loss while allowing your skin to repair its barrier, leaving it better off once the petrolatum is removed.” In other words, a snail is born.

@CHARLOTTEPARLER

There’s no need to be concerned about petrolatum’s comedogenic properties for those who are susceptible to acne or have sensitive skin it is recommended to consult Dr. Camille H-Verovic, a dermatologist within New York City, notes that you should avoid not only petrolatum however, anything that is occlusive. H-Verovic says, “I would not recommend occlusive ingredients to someone with acne.” The problem that H-Verovic explains is when we make broad statements which she is wary of. Broad generalizations such as “x ingredient will cause x,” according to H-Verovic doesn’t consider the specifics of your skin. Her suggestion? “Consider why you’re using an occlusive like petrolatum.” For me, it’s It’s thirsty on my skin and I’ll take any thing I can.

The Science Behind Slugging

One of the major obstacles in making use of Vaseline is that it has nothing to do with safety and efficacy and has more about perceptions. Why is an ingredient dermatologists advise for babies get received such a negative image because it is “toxic”? Clean beauty is not the only reason. It is believed that the EWG is also known as the Environmental Working Group ranks petrolatum as an “1-4” due to contamination concerns . The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics offers a blog in which, without context will make you believe that most petrolatum is a cause of cancer.

It is said that the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (TCFSC) states it is the case that ” petrolatum is often not fully refined in the US.” According to what we’ve found that this is not the case. In fact, the U.S. has regulated and studied petrolatum since the 60s and it’s long been acknowledged as a skin protector from authorities like the FDA. 4 The TCFSC adds that “it can be contaminated with toxic chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).” Studies have demonstrated that PAHs may be linked to lung cancer in women, the chemical isn’t identified as a possible source, while smoking cigarettes and grilled food have been identified as potential sources. 5

The Bottom Line

The truth is that in the U.S. products that contain 30 to 100 percent petrolatum are regarded as skin-protecting substances that are subject to FDA regulation and registration on NDClist.com. 4. Every drug that is available over the counter, such as sunscreen, hand sanitizer and others are classified as OTC products and need to register with the FDA for an NDC number that is unique to customers. Because petrolatum has been acknowledged in the FDA as a tested skin protector, similar to coloidal oatmeal any products that contain more than 30% petrolatum should be registered. This code uniquely is used to identify your brand and the manufacturing facility that makes it, making it easier to identify products that have been tested. Although you won’t see brands that aren’t under the 30 percent mark on the site Parent companies can be an excellent indicator of their business procedures. Why? Manufacturing facilities that adhere to GMP (or Good Manufacturing Practices register with the FDA since the FDA regularly checks its factories. They do not wish to be disqualified from their certification. Translation? They’re not selling contaminated petrolatum.

Another way to be sure the safety of your petrolatum? Request the manufacturer’s “USP”– the factory should have it. Also, certain brands, such as Vaseline will display it in their labels. If a brand uses “USP” petrolatum they meet or exceed the standards established by United States Pharmacopeia meaning it’s suitable to use in food products, drugs or medical usage. The best method to check the quality of your petrolatum is through NDC listing and NDClist.com. Some of my top brands are Vaseline, CeraVe, and Aquaphor (which is owned by the same company which is the owner of Nivea ).

Are you opposed to using Vaseline? La Mer uses mineral oil that is another popular petroleum byproduct that’s beneficial for the skin. 6 Worried about sustainability? The truth is that we’ve got much to do in order to make the industry of skincare less dependent of fossil-fuels. For as long as the processing factories use gasoline to power factories and factories and factories, using a byproduct from oil production isn’t keeping oil companies in business. Rosehip oil, shea butter and other plant-based products require oil to get into the market. Like everything else, it’s a your personal choice. For me, I’m going live my best life.

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