I tried “slugging”, the latest skincare hack

It's not as gross as it sounds, don't worry.

The latest beauty hack from TikTok might leave you feeling like a slug for a few hours, but skin experts are backing the benefits of this peculiar trend. Slugging involves covering your face in Vaseline, or another petroleum-based moisturizer before going to bed, and then washing it off in the morning. While this craze is gaining traction among Gen-Z, it's important to note that the practice actually originated from the beauty scene in South Korea. Reddit-users discovered the trend online and gave it a shiny new nickname. The science behind slugging is actually quite convincing. Dr Angelo Landriscina explains that the process works by creating a barrier for your skin, which in turn helps it retain water. This all adds up to smoother, softer, dewier skin. Dermatologists agree that while slugging can help dry skin, it should be done in moderation. Petroleum-based products certainly shouldn't be used as a daily moisturizer. Instead, those with dry skin can embrace the slug life once a week. I personally would recommend slugging the night before you change your sheets for the sake of your pillowcase. Additionally, slugging isn't recommended for those who are prone to acne breakouts. Now, as someone who has very dry skin - particularly during these transitional periods - I decided that I had to at least give it a try. So I coated myself in a thin layer of Vaseline and decided to see what all the fuss is about. Immediately, my skin looked dewier - Vaseline'll do that. But I wasn't interested in how it looked at the time, I was interested in how it felt the next morning. So, I tucked into bed and let the petroleum work its magic. My main concern was that the feeling of Vaseline on my face would prevent me from falling asleep. Thankfully, it wasn't distracting enough to keep me up. I could feel the layer on my skin's surface, but I wasn't worried that it would drip off. By the morning, the Vaseline was very much in tact and I rushed to the bathroom to wash it off. Indeed, my skin was noticeably softer, and stayed that way for a number of days. What's more, the dry patches on my face had been healed considerably. Overall, I would recommend some moderate slugging to anyone with dry skin.