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Emily McDonagh
We put five skincare slugging methods to the test after receiving complimentary samples from select brands.
Keep reading for a thorough comparison.
Emily McDonagh
If I were a skincare product, I’d be a lipid-loadedmoisturizer.
Applying a good cream or balm is like calling a friend to debrief or relaxing at home without shoes.
Born from K-beauty wisdom,slugginghas taken over TikTok and our skincare routines.
Emily McDonagh
What Is Slugging?
“Sluggingis the process of applying a physical barrier to the skin.
Slugging can be a dream for thirsty skin.
Emily McDonagh
“It’s also a great option for those who travel often.
About My Skin
As a cold-weather-averse traveler with dry skin, slugging has helped my skin immensely.
After one or two retinol snafus, slugging helped repair mybarrier.
It’s the silent meditation retreat of skincare rituals, but at the cost of my silk pillowcase.
My skin barrier is fickle; a redness-prone, easily aggravated beast.
These days, pairing a good occlusive with a hydrating powerhouse is a non-negotiable for me.
Emily McDonagh
Ahead, I put five potential Aquaphor alternatives to the plump-it-up test.
Here’s what I thought of each.
|Rating:8/10
Not just a solo slather, Futurewise is a game-changingslugging system.
Emily McDonagh
Post-cleanse, I apply the mist and moisturizer for a hydration boost, then seal it with the balm.
The balm is the real star of this show.
It’s a dreamy, lightweight, plant-based answer to all my greasy wake-ups.
This hero product is a great option for those new to slug life or prone to decision fatigue.
|Rating:8.5/10
This slugging duo is a power couple in the making.
Layering a hydrating serum, a lipid-rich moisturizer, and theCeraVeHealing Ointmentis heaven-sent.
My resulting skin was particularly plumpthe kind of healthy, glowy look that invites Zoom compliments.
Made forpost-procedureskin, its heavy-duty nourishment is unlike anything I’ve applied before.
Despite the price, a little goes a long way.
@isclinical
Still, this balm soothes and calms well beyond your Walgreens go-to, which my redness-prone skin needs weekly.
This top-shelf pick works hard beyond the occlusion and is a great option if deep nourishment is your priority.
|Rating:7/10
A skincare brand I can shop as part of my Whole Foods run?
Emily McDonagh
Given the top-tier contenders, I would save the One-for-All Balm for desert-dry spots.
But TikTok has been raving about the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, so I had to test it.
The balm’s hero ingredient ispanthenol(a.k.a.
vitamin B5), a moisturizer that acts as both a humectant and an emollient.
Upon utility, I’m in slugging heaven: The texture isn’t tacky but slick.
For those who avoid silicones, this product has dimethicone.
@cocokind
Here’s what stands out about a few of the favorites I tested above.
Emily McDonagh
Emily McDonagh
Emily McDonagh
