Three people lounge among mushrooms and rich vegetation as clouds pass by.

Learn More About Slugging

Time for a quick lesson on this moisture-locking, barrier-repairing skincare practice.

SLUGGING is the long-standing, dermatologist-beloved practice of applying an occlusive layer over the skin to prevent water loss. Less water loss means more hydration, and more hydration means plump, juicy, healthy skin.

Like Mine

While the term itself has only recently grown in popularity, the Native American Seneca tribe discovered one of the earliest versions of this practice - all the way back in the 15th century. They applied petroleum jelly from oil pits on their skin to protect wounds and keep it hydrated. Petrolatum-based products began to rise in popularity in the late 1800s, as more people discovered these salves could help smooth roughness and calm irritation. Over time, these products have become versatile medicine cabinet staples for many, notably communities of color, due to their accessibility. Using petroleum jelly from head to toe has been a go-to practice for generations of Black women. This has also been a household practice within other ethnic communities and immigrant families throughout history.

Slugging as most know it today appears to have popped up in the early 2010’s, with one of the first documented mentions of the term on a Reddit thread. Slugging slowly started to accrue a cult-like following, with its adopters declaring their dedication to the “slug life.” In more recent years, slugging has exploded within the skincare community, with influencers and skincare professionals alike creating viral content explaining the practice and its benefits. But slugging is far from just another internet gimmick, which is why the practice has long been a reliable, dermatologist-approved recommendation for healing and moisturizing the skin.

Throughout the day, water naturally evaporates from our skin to the outside world. You’re susceptible to excess water loss if your skin barrier, the outermost layer of your skin, is in less than optimal condition. By slugging, you create an occlusive layer that helps prevent this water loss from occurring. On top of your other skincare (such as essences, serums, and moisturizers), slugging also allows for better absorption of those products.

The Futurewise Slugging System is three steps: SLUG BOOST, SLUG CREAM, and SLUG BALM. The system is made up of a combination of humectants, emollients, and occlusives that work together to deliver layers of intense hydration and moisturize effectively, supporting your skin barrier and helping you achieve optimal slugging results. You’ll wake up with plump, juicy, healthy skin - like our ultimate skin icon, the slug.

References

An outstretched hand holds the Slug Boost bottle

Slug Boost

Spritz on clean skin to shower it in deep hydration and prep it for the rest of your routine.

SLUG BOOST delivers a skin-quenching essence in a convenient, ultra-fine mist. It contains a trio of water-attracting humectants of different molecular weights, which allow for deeper penetration throughout the layers of your skin. Skin is more permeable when wet, which means products can absorb better when applied to a damp complexion. So Slug Boost not only hydrates, it also preps skin for the rest of your routine.

An outstretched hand holds the Slug Cream pink and red container

Slug Cream

Massage into face and neck to condition the complexion and support the skin barrier.

SLUG CREAM is like a big hug for your skin barrier, which is the protective outermost layer of your skin that helps your complexion stay hydrated, calm, and bouncy. Slug Cream uses a vegan triple lipid complex to preserve moisture in the skin. Lipids are the important natural fats in our skin that hold the cells together in our skin barrier to maintain its integrity. Applying lipid-rich skincare like Slug Cream helps replenish and restore these healthy fats that may have been depleted due to external factors (like being in cold weather or using harsh products) or naturally over time (the skin’s ability to produce lipids decreases as we get older).

An outstretched hand holds the open container of Slug Balm

Slug Balm

Smooth over moisturized skin to seal in hydration and help repair skin overnight.

SLUG BALM is made up of a plant-derived, lightweight (yet seriously effective) formula that melts into the skin, creating a cocoon-like environment for your skin to repair itself. Throughout the day, water naturally evaporates from our skin to the outside world. You’re susceptible to excess water loss if your skin barrier, the outermost layer of your skin, is in less than optimal condition. By using Slug Balm, you create an occlusive layer that helps prevent this water loss from occurring. As the final layer on top of your other skincare, it also allows for better absorption of those products.
Try the slugging system