Should you try slugging? While skin care products featuring snail mucin are the rage these days, slugging, a beauty trend that's been making the rounds on TikTok, doesn't actually involve any slimy creatures. Instead, the term refers to a technique in which you coat your face, hair or even your body with a product that promises to hydrate. While slugging, in all its forms, has recently taken off on the app, the methods have been around for a while: Face slugging has roots in Korean beauty and is a longtime favorite of the beauty crowd on Reddit, while hair slugging, known as hair oiling, has long been used in South Asian cultures. So what exactly does it involve? We asked dermatologists and hairstylists to break down the processes and how they might benefit your skin and hair. What is slugging for your skin? What is hair slugging? What is slugging for your skin?

While there aren't actual slugs involved in the process, you may end up looking a little bit like one when you're done slathering on the moisturizing agent. The technique involves applying a heavy emollient, such as Vaseline or Aquaphor, as the final step in your skin care routine, Dr. Rachel Nazarian, board-certified dermatologist at the Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City told Shop TODAY. These products are occlusives, meaning they seal the top layer of the skin and enhance the penetration of the products that came before them, making them more effective. What are the benefits of slugging? Along with boosting the potency of your nightly skincare products, the process also locks in the moisture that's already on your skin and prevents you from losing some of it to the atmosphere overnight, Nazarian said. Dr. Corey L. Hartman, Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama likened it to a "supercharged" skin hydration method.

Who should try slugging? Sounds like the ultimate skin hydration hack, right? For those who suffer from constantly dry, itchy skin, it could be a good solution. Plus, even those with normal skin may benefit from testing it out, especially during the colder months. But the derms warn that the process isn't for everyone. Those with acne-prone or oily skin should skip out on the trend, as it can trap dead skin cells, encourage bacterial growth and worsen breakouts. And since it can make the products applied before more potent, it shouldn't be combined with retinoids, salicylic acid or other potentially irritating ingredients, Nazarian said. To try it out, apply a thin layer of your chosen emollient after going through your nightly skin care routine. You can make the process even more effective by using a humectant (something to retain moisture), like hyaluronic acid, beforehand to draw in water to your skin.

Then apply the Vaseline (or a similar product) to seal it in, Nazarian said. It works on the rest of your body, too. Vaseline and Aquaphor tend to be the most popular choices, but there are a few other options that will do the job. While most people can benefit from incorporating it into their regimen once a week, those with older, dry skin can tolerate the process nightly, Nazarian said. If you're itching to try the slimy skin care hack, grab one of the below derm-approved products and get slugging. What is hair slugging? Hair slugging involves putting oils on your scalp or hair and then wrapping your hair in a silk wrap or bonnet to increase hydration. What are the benefits of hair slugging? Dr. Marisa Garshick told us via email. The oils lock moisture in and nourish the hair which, over time, can help reduce frizz, breakage and soften strands. It is comparable to deep conditioning your hair, Miranda Buzzella, stylist and color educator at Educe Salon in Orlando said.

Who should try hair slugging? The method can be used on all hair types, but is great for dry hair in particular, as it can help it retain moisture, Garshick said. Those with dry hair should try a thicker oil such as coconut oil, avocado oil or marula oil. If you have finer hair, Buzzella suggests opting for an oil with a lighter consistency, like sunflower seed oil or jojoba oil, which won't weigh down your strands as much. One thing to note: while deeply penetrating oils, like coconut oil, nourish the hair, Garshick said that there's also a chance that they can penetrate too deeply and block moisture from entering the cuticle. It depends on how porous your hair is. “Low porosity hair is more likely to repel water and become dehydrated,” Garshick said. If you fit in that category (you can determine your hair's porosity by dropping a strand in water: if it floats, it's low; if it sinks, it's high), you may want to stick to lighter oils.