Slugging: Does Putting Vaseline on Your Face Actually Work?

Slugging — applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a petroleum-based occlusive over your entire face as the last step of your nighttime routine — went from niche skincare Reddit tip to mainstream TikTok trend in record time. I recommend slugging only if you apply it over already-hydrated skin. The name comes from the shiny, slug-like appearance it gives your face. Behind all the hype sits older, more boring science: petrolatum is the most effective occlusive ingredient available, reducing transepidermal water loss by up to 98%.

That's not marketing. That's decades of dermatological research. Here's what you actually need to know.

If this ingredient interests you: Skin Barrier Repair: How to Fix a Damaged Moisture Barrier, How to Build a Nighttime Skincare Routine, and Best Skincare Routine for Dry Skin.

How Slugging Works

Occlusives form a physical barrier on your skin's surface that prevents moisture from evaporating. They don't add hydration — they lock in whatever hydration's already present. This is why slugging works best as the final step over a hydrating routine, not as a standalone treatment.

Straightforward mechanism: petrolatum creates an impermeable film that blocks water vapor from escaping through the stratum corneum (your skin's outermost coat). Studies measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) show that petrolatum reduces water loss by 95-98%, while other occlusives like dimethicone or lanolin achieve 20-30% reduction at best.

Beyond preventing dryness, reducing water loss overnight gives your skin's natural repair processes optimal conditions. Your stratum corneum needs adequate hydration to maintain its structure and function — dehydrated skin cells can't desquamate properly, leading to that rough, flaky texture that no amount of exfoliation seems to fix.

Petrolatum products (Vaseline, Aquaphor, CeraVe Healing Ointment) dominate effectiveness studies:

• Vaseline: 100% petrolatum. Cheapest and most occlusive option.
• Aquaphor: Petrolatum with lanolin, panthenol, and glycerin. Slightly more hydrating.
• CeraVe Healing Ointment: Petrolatum with ceramides. Best option for barrier repair.