Can You Use Aquaphor For Slugging?

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A cold and/or dry environment can be really rough on your skin. When it comes to hydration, many of us use moisturizers, but over the past year or so a new trend has burst from TikTok: slugging.

Slugging is the process of using petroleum-based products to create a barrier on the skin before going to sleep. This will help trap moisture and prevent skin dryness and (potentially) acne

But what product do you use? Many choose Vaseline, but there are other options. Can you use Aquaphor for slugging?

Yes, you certainly can use Aquaphor for slugging. Some people prefer it over the other alternatives. In this article, I’ll look at Aquaphor and its use in slugging.


Contents

Can You Use Aquaphor For Slugging?

Aquaphor

The goal of slugging is to use a petroleum-based product and create a layer of protection that traps moisture on the skin (and sometimes the hair, too). The petroleum-based product acts as an occlusive type of moisturizer. 

As an occlusive type of moisturizer, Aquaphor can help make sure that the skin is moisturized by preventing moisture from leaving the skin. With the petroleum jelly content of Aquaphor Ointment , it can certainly create that barrier that prevents moisture from evaporating into the air so it’s a great product to use for slugging. 

With the petroleum jelly content of Aquaphor, it can certainly create that barrier that prevents moisture from evaporating into the air so it’s a great product to use for slugging

However, Aquaphor doesn’t just contain petroleum jelly. It contains other ingredients that can further help the skin keep moisturized. 

This is unlike Vaseline, which is just petroleum jelly. In itself, this is already a good product for slugging because it can trap the moisture in the skin so it doesn’t escape. 

However, some people prefer to use Aquaphor instead of Vaseline for slugging. The additional ingredients in Aquaphor make it even more appealing than other products.

The petroleum jelly content can help trap moisture. However, Aquaphor does more than just trap moisture. It can draw water from the air into the skin. 

That’s because of the glycerin content of Aquaphor. This ingredient is responsible for pulling moisture from the air and into your skin. 

Add the moisture-pulling capabilities plus the barrier-creating properties and you can get well-moisturized skin, even on cold winter nights.

See also:


Other Products To Use For Slugging

If you want to try slugging, you don’t have to buy Aquaphor if you don’t have it at home. You can use other products such as the following:

1. Vaseline

Aquaphor

One of the most common products that we have at home that you can use for slugging is Vaseline. This is pure ”100% . This is a very good occlusive as it does create an effective barrier to trap moisture. 

There are different variants of Vaseline available in the market and you might want to try the Cocoa Butter Jelly for the scent. However, if your skin tends to be on the sensitive side, it would be best to get the simplest and fragrance-free variant. 

2. CeraVe Healing Ointment

CeraVe Healing Ointment

CeraVe has a product that you can use for slugging and that is their healing ointment. This product is a combination of petroleum jelly and other emollients and humectants. 

It contains ceramides and hyaluronic acid which is great for moisturizing the skin. This product won’t only act as an occlusive moisturizer but will help moisturize the skin by increasing its hydration in it. 

See also: Cetaphil vs CeraVe: Which is Best For Your Skin?

3. EltaMD Intense Moisturizer

EltaMD Intense Moisturizer

This is another moisturizer  that contains petrolatum to help reduce the dryness, flaking, and peeling of the skin. What’s great about this product is that it is fragrance-free so those who are sensitive to fragrances won’t have to worry about irritation due to it. 

This product is used to help various skin conditions such as eczema, sunburn, and rosacea. 

4. HydroPeptide Soothing Balm

HydroPeptide Soothing Balm

Most of the products suggested for slugging would contain petrolatum because it is a great occlusive agent. However, you don’t have to limit the products you use to only those that contain petrolatum. 

You can make use of other products that contain occlusives for slugging. Such is this HydroPeptide Soothing Balm  that contains occlusive ingredients like avocado oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. 

Apart from preventing the loss of moisture in the skin, these products help make the skin feel soft and supple after use. 

5. Inkey List Rosehip Oil

Inkey List Rosehip Oil

This is another product to use when you don’t want petroleum jelly-based products for slugging. The ingredient that makes this a great occlusive moisturizer is rosehip oil 

Apart from preventing moisture loss, it has lots of antioxidants and omega fatty acids that all help make the skin smooth and less textured. See The INKEY List vs The Ordinary for more.

Skinfix Remedy

This ointment is another skincare or beauty product that is marketed as a multi-purpose healing balm. As such, it contains petrolatum, which helps trap moisture on the skin. 

It can be used not only for slugging but to help with irritated, chapped, and cracked skin as well. 

SkinCeuticals Hydra Balm 

This balm is meant for those who have both dry and sensitive skin. It doesn’t just lock in moisture, it also contains other ingredients that nourish the skin. 

It has aloe vera and squalene that helps soothe itchy and dry skin. 


How Often Should You Do Slugging? 

There are many different products that you can use for slugging, so feel free to experiment. But many wonder: how often should you slug your face?

There is no single answer to that because people have different skin types and skin health. It would be best to assess your skin to know how often it should be done. 

For most people slugging once a week is enough to make sure that they keep their skin hydrated. Others might need to do it more frequently. 

When slugging, the product you use should be considered. If you are using pure petroleum jelly, it would be best to apply moisturizing products first so that there is adequate moisture that’s trapped on your skin. 

Written by Kayla Young

Kayla is the founder of LuxeLuminous. She has worked professionally in the tanning industry for years. She has been interested in esthetics since childhood, and has tried every hair, skin, and makeup product ever produced (more or less).