What Is Slugging? A Beginner's Guide to Skincare's Viral Trend | sknglo
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If you've spent any time on skincare TikTok, you've probably seen someone with a shiny, almost wet-looking face right before bed. That's slugging — one of the simplest, most talked-about skincare techniques of the last few years, and one that's stuck around because it actually works.
What is slugging, exactly?
Slugging means applying an occlusive — a product that seals moisture in — as the very last step of your nighttime routine. Instead of your skincare evaporating overnight or your moisturizer wearing off after an hour, an occlusive layer locks everything in, so your skin wakes up hydrated instead of dry and tight.
The name comes from the shiny, slightly slick finish it leaves on your skin — like the trail a slug leaves behind. Not the most glamorous name, but the results are real.
Why does it work?
Your skin naturally loses water to the air overnight, a process called transepidermal water loss (TEWL). An occlusive layer physically blocks that moisture from escaping, which means:
- Your other products (serums, oils, actives) have more time to actually absorb and work
- Dry, flaky patches get a real chance to recover overnight
- You wake up with visibly plumper, softer skin
The problem with traditional slugging
Most slugging guides point you toward petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) or petrolatum-based ointments. They work — occlusion is occlusion — but a lot of people don't love the idea of coating their face in a petroleum byproduct every night, especially if they're already choosy about what goes on their skin.
That's where a natural alternative like grass-fed tallow comes in. Tallow is rich in the same fatty acid profile as your skin's own sebum, so it seals in moisture the same way an occlusive should — without the petroleum.
How to slug with sknglo Beef Tallow Balm
- Cleanse your face as usual
- Apply your normal nighttime serums or oils (this is not a replacement for your routine — it seals it in)
- Massage a small amount of Beef Tallow Balm over your entire face as the very last step
- Go to sleep, wake up, rinse or cleanse as normal
One sknglo customer put it simply: "I apply my nighttime serums and oil then apply the tallow on top. I wake up with super smooth and hydrated skin."
Who should try slugging?
Slugging is best for dry, dehydrated, or barrier-compromised skin. If your skin is very oily or acne-prone, a heavy occlusive layer every single night might feel like too much — try it 2-3 nights a week instead of nightly, and see how your skin responds.
The takeaway
Slugging isn't a gimmick — it's a genuinely useful technique for locking in hydration overnight. If you'd rather skip the petroleum jelly, a natural occlusive like grass-fed tallow does the same job while keeping your routine clean.
Ready to try it? Shop the Beef Tallow Balm or get the full Glow Routine bundle to build out your whole nighttime routine at once.
Have you tried slugging with tallow? Tag us @sknglo_beauty — we'd love to see your results.