Why You Need To Start Slugging Your Nails (And Everywhere Else)
Get ready for a ‘lil story time on slugging. If you don’t know what it means, you’re probably thinking, “that sounds kinda gross and hella slippery.” Touché! While it’s definitely slippery, and although this hack has been around for decades, people on TikTok are going wild for its benefits that deliver soft, glowing skin simply by slathering your skin in Vaseline every night.
Well, now TikTok’s become SOOOO obsessed that they’re slugging their entire bodies, including their nail cuticles. I mean, we get it – deliciously soft skin using a dollar-friendly ingredient that you probably already own? Sign us up.
Here’s everything you need to know about nail slugging, plus a manifesto on why you should be slugging your entire body, from your face to your kneecaps and even your tresses.
Nail Slugging 101
@drcharlesmd1 Slug your nails?! Yes. #slugging #nails #nailart #drcharlesmd #dermatology #nailtech #nailhack #skincare #lotion #nailsartvideos #fyp #needtoknow #slug ♬ Envolver – Anitta
The hype: TikTokers recently started slugging their nails, and the hashtag has already accumulated over 27k views. In tutorials, users have been lathering their nails in a rich cuticle oil before applying an occlusive emollient like Vaseline or Aquaphor. Everyone’s praising the hack for their buttery soft hands and healthy, shiny nails. Some nailcare lovers even finish by applying a restorative hand cream and slotting their hands into gloves for 30-45 minutes to seal in all that delicious, yummy moisture.
The question is, does it work? Yes. The results are similar to the paraffin wax hand treatment that you may have seen at your nail spa. Not only will it improve your overall nail health, leaving you with stronger, less brittle nails, but it can also protect your cuticles and nails from water damage.
How to slug your nails: Start by applying cuticle oil to your nail beds like the OPI ProSpa Nail and Cuticle Oil, $17, followed by a healthy serving of Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly, $2. For an extra handcare moment, apply a rich hand cream like our KAYALI Vanilla | 28, $15, and slot your hands into latex or plastic gloves for 30 minutes. It’s recommended to nail slug once a week – we like to do it as part of our Sunday self-care.
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Okay, so now you’ve got the 411 on nail slugging, here’s why you need to slug LITERALLY everywhere…
Skincare Slugging
@labeautyologist Another #slugging video for your #fyp ♬ Aesthetic Girl – Yusei
If you feel like applying petroleum jelly to your skin every night feels questionable, don’t worry, we come with receipts. Beyond everyone on TikTok exclaiming it delivers glazed donut skin, the FDA has also given Vaseline as a nightly moisturizer its seal of approval. Dr. David Lortscher, a board-certified dermatologist and the CEO and founder of Curology, tells us, “The United States FDA approves of the use of petrolatum as an over-the-counter skin protectant that can seal in moisture to help dry skin. It’s also useful in healing superficial scrapes and wounds as well as irritated skin.” He confirms that using Vaseline will deliver baby soft skin and amp up your hydration levels.
One important note: Swerve slugging on nights you use strong leave-on AHA/ BHA products, retinol or benzoyl peroxide. Because these ingredients. are so powerful, slugging can cause them to react more intensely on your skin. Save slugging for your gentle, hydrating routines.
How to slug your face: On cleansed skin, layer on all your favorite hydrating skincare products (or just a moisturizer is fine), and then use Vaseline as the final step in your nighttime routine.
PSA: You don’t have to use Vaseline. There are tons of other options available. In fact, we like to slug using our new WISHFUL Pillowgasm Cherry Glow Sleeping Mask, $39, as it cocoons the skin with a nourishing blend of cherry and carrot extract, as well as hemp seed oil to boost skin radiance for glowier, plumper skin. Alternatively, you can opt for dermatologist-beloved Aquaphor products if Vaseline feels a little heavy for you, or another slugging fave is the CeraVe Healing Ointment, $14.
Hair Slugging
@belallure Hello healthy hair 👋🏼😻 #hairgrowth #hairslugging #hairtok #hairtips #hairgrowthtips #healthyhair #splitends #hairgrowthoil ♬ ac kangaudios – pj ☆
Hair slugging is another great ritual to add to your self-care routine. It’s a common practice in many cultures that’s been around for centuries, and it’s adored for its healthy hair results. Similar to skin slugging, you coat your strands with a MEGA hydrator, in this case, a lightweight oil, and then wrap your mane before bed so it hydrates while you sleep.
@moniquemrapier Say goodbye to split ends 👏🏼 the BEST thing ever 🥺 Comment any questions! #hair #hairtok #hairtransformation #hairdamage #hairtips #hairslugging ♬ Jiggle Jiggle – Duke & Jones & Louis Theroux
How to slug your hair: On damp to dry hair, apply a small amount of oil into the palms of your hands, rub your hands together to warm up the oil, then scrunch and smooth oil onto tresses until they’re evenly coated. We love the BREAD Beauty Supply Hair Oil Everyday Gloss, $24. Then, using a soft sock, place the freshly oiled hair inside, making sure the ends are properly tucked. Finally, place a satin or silk hair tie around the base of the sock to secure the sock while you sleep.
Body Slugging
@glowwithava i don’t use Vaseline on my face as much for other body parts? YES. #slugging #vaseline #skincaretips ♬ original sound – AVA
Okay, hear us out; while the idea of applying Vaseline to your entire body before bed may sound hella sticky, we’re here with the solutions…
Plan A: Slug the areas of your body that are prone to extreme dryness, like your elbows and your feet, as well as areas of your body that are most often visible, like your décolletage and neck.
Plan B: Find a lightweight product to slug with like the Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray & Dry Skin Relief, $12, it’s highly absorbent and doesn’t have a greasy or sticky feeling, and yet it still has the hydration.
Do you slug? Let us know in the comments below.