The cheeks still feel dry in the evening, even though the cream has long been applied. Slugging is often suggested for precisely such care situations: a thin layer of petroleum jelly as the final step. It slows down the loss of water through the surface of the skin. The shiny film gave the trend its name. The thickest possible layer is not necessary.

The principle can be described as “holding moisture better”. We explain in the article on the skin barrier what task a suitable cream takes on. Slugging is a possible addition for dry skin. If your skin feels good after your usual routine, there is no additional mandatory step.

Try it out in just a few steps

Choose an evening with a simple routine: gently cleanse, apply your usual moisturizer and then apply a very thin layer of petroleum jelly to the dry areas. You don’t have to apply cream all over your face. Two dry cheeks may need different care than an already shiny forehead.

Afterwards, observe how the skin feels. If it remains pleasant, you can decide for yourself whether this qualification occasionally fits into your everyday life. A fixed schedule of daily slugging is not a sign of quality. Choosing a moisturizer can also be an easier next step.

A rich cream is its own formula

The COSRX Skin Barrier Moisturizing Body Cream contains petrolatum, i.e. Vaseline, and dimethicone as well as moisturizing ingredients. The shop instructions explicitly mention the face as well as the body. It is therefore an example of a cream with ingredients that can support a final film.

Its composition differs from pure petroleum jelly. The extent to which it limits water loss cannot be quantified from the two names alone. If you choose this cream, start using it normally. An additional layer of Vaseline is therefore not automatically necessary.

Some evenings are less suitable for this

Slugging over retinol, retinoids or exfoliating acids should not simply end up as an additional step: a heavy finishing layer can increase irritation. The Cleveland Clinic explains this connection and advises restraint even for oily, acne-prone or injured skin. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding petroleum jelly on acne-prone facial skin. If the skin becomes uncomfortable or irritated, leave the new finish off.