Does slugging help with wrinkles?

Which lines can slugging help?

Fine lines partly reflect a loss of water in the epidermis, the skin's outer layer. Slugging means applying petroleum jelly overnight to form an occlusive layer: a barrier that reduces water evaporation. Keeping that water in helps skin look plumper and feel more flexible. Petroleum jelly also smooths the spaces between shedding surface skin cells, helping reduce the appearance of wrinkle lines.234

Deeper wrinkles have other causes, including repeated muscle movement and sun damage. Sagging involves changes below the surface, including loss of collagen, elastin and fat. Surface moisturizing does not address those causes. Slugging belongs in the moisturizing part of a wrinkle routine, which is a less dramatic job than its internet reputation suggests.2

How quickly will lines look softer?

Moisturizers can plump fine lines immediately, so the hydration benefit does not require months of waiting. There is no fixed timetable for a visible change from slugging itself. Judge the result by whether dryness improves and fine lines look less noticeable, rather than expecting deep creases to disappear. Regular moisturizing helps ageing skin look and feel better; the benefit is moisture maintenance, not permanent wrinkle removal.12

How to try slugging

1. 1Test the product first. Apply a small amount to your inner forearm twice daily for 4 to 5 days. If there is no reaction, it is likely safe to try on your face.
2. 2Cleanse in the evening. Use warm water and a gentle cleanser, then apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp.
3. 3Finish with a tiny amount of plain petroleum jelly. Cover only the dry areas if you do not need it across your whole face.
4. 4Leave out retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids on slugging nights. Trapping them beneath petroleum jelly can increase irritation.
5. 5Wait about 30 minutes before bed. Protect your pillowcase with a towel if needed.
6. 6Wash your face in the morning to remove the ointment and anything caught in it overnight.

Use slugging when your skin feels dry rather than automatically every night. A couple of nights in a row can help with dryness, but nightly use is rarely necessary. Dry winter weather is a more useful setting than warm, humid weather. A thick, greasy finish is a texture, not a measure of wrinkle treatment ambition.3

Who should skip slugging?

Skip facial slugging if your skin is oily or prone to acne. Petroleum jelly can cause breakouts in some people, and occlusive moisturizers can aggravate acne or inflamed hair follicles. Do not slug over infected skin or open wounds. Dry eyelids can benefit from a small amount of petroleum jelly applied to damp skin, but sensitive skin can still react to moisturizing products.356

Stop using a new product if it stings or burns. If slugging leaves your skin red or irritated, see a dermatologist. For prescribed products, follow your dermatologist's instructions rather than changing treatment or adding an occlusive layer yourself.13

What matters more for lasting wrinkle care?

Wear broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day on uncovered skin, and avoid tanning. Sun exposure accelerates skin ageing; sunscreen helps prevent further damage rather than reversing damage already present. Topical retinoids have evidence for treating ageing changes and increasing collagen, but keep them separate from slugging. If deep or persistent lines are your main concern, a dermatologist can discuss treatments matched to the type of wrinkle, including muscle related lines.124