Slugging

Petrolatum is the gold standard occlusive — it reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) by up to 99%. When applied as the final layer over a full routine, it creates an airtight seal that forces your serums and moisturizer to work harder. The skin spends the night in a highly humid microenvironment, allowing cell turnover and repair to occur optimally. Despite its greasy appearance, petrolatum is non-comedogenic for most people.

Complete your full PM routine. As the absolute last step, take a small pea-sized amount of pure petrolatum (Vaseline, Aquaphor, or CeraVe Healing Ointment) and press — don't rub — a thin layer over the entire face. Your face will be shiny. This is fine. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase if possible. Rinse off in the morning with a gentle cleanser. Start 1x per week to assess how your skin responds.

Slugging became a global trend via Korean skincare communities (particularly Reddit's r/SkincareAddiction and K-beauty forums) around 2019-2021. In Korea, it's been standard practice for decades, particularly in dry winter months. The term "slugging" refers to looking like a slug (shiny and slick). Medical dermatologists universally support petrolatum as safe — it's the most studied skincare ingredient with a 150+ year track record.