Really, Vaseline as a Moisturizer?

Learn More About the Concept of Slugging

Are you familiar with the term slugging? No, we aren’t talking about baseball and the number of bases a player records per at-bat. Slugging is the latest viral trend! Slugging is used to describe applying “snail” amount of a product to face and body after you have cleansed and moisturized for the evening. Instead of lathering a petroleum-based product all over your face, slugging means using a very small amount of a product, such as Vaseline with the goal of hydrating, healing, and preventing wrinkles in targeted areas where you need more moisture and plumping.

The fad has become viral with millions of views on TikToK, but it really isn’t new. Your grandmother and mother are probably familiar with this product as it has been around for 150 years! You can go look and see if a jar of Vaseline or Vaseline Cocoa Glow Moisturizer is in their cabinet.

How does Dr. Rebecca Baxt, Medical Director of BAXT CosMedical® feel about using Vaseline? “I have been recommending Vaseline petroleum jelly as a moisturizer for years,” says Dr. Baxt. “It’s cheap and effective.” While it is greasy, Dr. Baxt recommends using it at night, with socks or pajamas over the areas of the body and you can wake up in the morning with smooth hydrated skin!

Dr. Baxt also advises the use of Vaseline for eyelids and lips. In fact, she personally uses it herself. Another beneficial use is to help remove eye makeup and moisturize at the same time. “It is best to use it is right after a shower or a bath when the skin is still a bit moist after a towel dry-off, and the Vaseline helps lock in the hydration,” says Dr. Baxt.

However, there a note of caution. Acne prone patients should not use Vaseline! Dr. Baxt warns her that that while Vaseline is a thick effective moisturizer, great for eczema prone patients and people with dry skin, it can clog your pores.

WARNING! If you have acne, don’t use Vaseline, and stick to oil-free moisturizers. If you have acne and can’t find an acne facial cleanser or moisturizing cream, see Dr. Baxt’s medical grade acne skin care products.

If you find that Vaseline may be a bit too heavy for your skin, there are a variety of other petroleum-based products. Some of the more popular and well-known products are Bag Balm, CeraVe, Aquaphor, or Nivea skin creams.

Learn more about everyday uses of Petroleum Jelly as recommended by the AAD.

If you have any questions and want to have clear, healthy, and vibrant skin, schedule a consultation with Dr. Rebecca Baxt.