I Tried the Viral Beauty Hack So You Don’t Have To—Here’s What Actually Worked

Like most people with a beauty-heavy algorithm, I’ve seen the “slugging” trend take over TikTok and Instagram. For the uninitiated: slugging is when you coat your face in a layer of petrolatum (usually Vaseline or Aquaphor) at night as the final step in your skincare routine to lock in moisture and wake up with baby-soft skin. Think glazed donut vibes—but while you sleep.

I was skeptical. The idea of smearing something that thick and greasy all over my face made me nervous. I had visions of clogged pores, breakouts, and waking up with pillowcases ruined forever. But curiosity got the best of me (thanks, influencers), and I decided to give it a go.

The first night I tried slugging, I kept the rest of my routine simple: a gentle cleanser, hydrating toner, a layer of hyaluronic acid serum, and then… the slug. I used Aquaphor and applied a thin layer, trying to keep it light.

Initial thoughts? It felt gross. My skin was shiny, sticky, and I had to sleep on my back like a vampire to avoid getting it all over my pillow. But I’ll admit: when I woke up, my skin looked plump, dewy, and calm. No redness, no dry patches.

I decided to try it for a full week. Here’s what I found:

• Day 2-3: Still liking the glow, but I noticed some tiny clogged pores around my nose. I started using less product and focused only on the driest areas of my face (cheeks, forehead).
• Day 4-5: Skin was smoother than usual, especially in the morning. But I definitely couldn’t do this every night—it felt too heavy.
• Day 6-7: I switched to slugging only 2–3 nights a week, and that seemed to be the sweet spot. My skin stayed hydrated without feeling overloaded.

Final verdict? It actually works—but with a few caveats:

• If you have acne-prone or oily skin, spot-slugging (applying only to dry patches) is a better move.
• Make sure your skin is well cleansed and hydrated before applying anything occlusive.
• Less is more. A pea-sized amount is plenty.
• Don’t expect miracles—but it can help with skin barrier support, especially in dry winter months or after using exfoliants.

While slugging won’t replace my entire skincare routine, it’s something I’ll definitely keep in my rotation—especially when my skin is feeling dry or stressed. But the biggest takeaway? Not every viral trend is worth it, but every now and then, they do deliver.

Would I recommend it? Yes—with caution and the understanding that more product doesn’t always mean better results.

Sometimes, a little shine before bedtime really does lead to glowier mornings.