We need you to pay attention for a second because we?re about to completely destroy your belief system: Despite what you?ve been led to believe for years, Vaseline does not, in fact, cause acne. Nor does it clog your pores or lead to breakouts or blackheads or any other scary skin problem. In fact, a layer of Vaseline could very possibly be the exact cure for your zits you?ve been looking for.
MORE: Get Rid of Clogged Pores with These 10 Tricks
What Is Slugging"
The technique is called the slugging, and the skin-care experts (really, these guys eat, sleep and breathe the many scientific facets of skin-care products) at the Skincare Addiction sub-Reddit are obsessed with it. Basically, it involves slathering an occlusive moisturizer?a.k.a. Vaseline or other petroleum jelly-based products that don?t actually moisturize, but instead create a barrier on your skin to trap hydration and prevent water from escaping?over your usual moisturizer at night. Slathering your face in a layer of coddling, hug-like hydration not only makes all of the serums, moisturizers and acne products underneath it a billion times more effective, but it also helps your skin repair and heal itself, all of which leads to a smoother, calmer, more-even complexion with way fewer breakouts. Photo: ImaxTree.
MORE: The 11 Best Sunscreens for Acne-Prone Skin
“If you have acne, you want your skin to be well-lubricated at all times to help your skin barrier repair itself,” says Yale dermatolo...