About Us

While the term itself has only recently grown in popularity, the Native American Seneca tribe was one of the earliest groups to discover a cosmetic use for petroleum jelly - 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. Throughout history, these products have been versatile medicine cabinet staples for many, notably communities of color. Using petroleum jelly from head to toe has been a go-to practice for generations of Black women. This practice has also been tied to Korean beauty.

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 recommendation from dermatologists 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.