Folks love slugging because it’s a band-aid for distressed skin.
Dermatologists have been using this trick since the Dawn of Dermatology to rapidly restore the skin’s barrier and moisture levels, but the cute/slimy name has helped slugging rise to fame in recent years.
The thing is, any product with occlusive properties – that is, creates a barrier — can work for slugging, but you’ll generally see petroleum-based products being used because they’re inexpensive, widely available, and commonly touted as very useful for so many things.
Other occlusives include lanolin, from sheep’s wool, castor oil, cocoa butter and beeswax (and there’s an extra dimension to beeswax that we’ll talk about soon).
The shadow side of slugging
Given that slugging has been popularised using petroleum jelly, a byproduct of petroleum refining, we really struggle to support the trend.
Petroleum jelly, or Petrolatum, is found in many moisture-locking barrier creams, even those marketed for babies and sensitive skin. But there’s a but. Make that five.
❗Petroleum jelly can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are known carcinogens, even when applied topically.
❗Unsurprisingly, these PAHs can trigger allergies and skin irritation, exacerbating the very symptoms you’re attempting to relieve.
❗While the intense occlusive properties of petroleum-based products are a drawcard for slugging fans, they can also be a drawback in that they trap dirt and toxins too, clogging pores and causing acne.
❗Petroleum jelly may interfere with the skin’s balance over the long term, downregulating the production of natural moisturising factors and leading to drier, flakier skin.
❗Being a fossil fuel, petroleum jelly enjoys the dubious honour of being a planet-unfriendly, non-biodegradable, non-renewable resource.
Slugging upgrade
If you’re reading this, you’re obviously interested in deep moisturisation. Perhaps you’re even drooling at the thought of slathering a thick, cool and soothing goo all over your seriously thirsty face. Dry skin is the worst.
But due to the issues with petroleum jelly AND its longer term consequences – because there may come a time when you start experiencing congestion, breakouts or altered skin barrier function from this somewhat suffocating skincare regime with all its hidden toxins – we propose a better way to slug.
All the benefits of slugging, without the sludgy side-effects.
Meet Beauty and the Bees Moisture Creams, based on Leatherwood Beeswax and Leatherwood Honey.
Beeswax-based creams are a natural way to counteract TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss), restore integrity to the stratum corneum and avoid the pitfalls of slugging with Petrolatum-containing products. They not only create a protective barrier over the skin, leaving your skin soft and dewy, but have additional benefits that slugging doesn’t.
Unlike petroleum jelly-containing products, beeswax-based creams are breathable, retaining moisture without clogging your pores or promoting skin infections.
Beeswax-based creams can be used daily to support and heal your skin’s stratum corneum (protective barrier), leading to genuinely healthy, radiant, balanced skin.
Beeswax-based creams are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, soothing irritated skin and preventing infections.
Beeswax-based creams are gentle, non-irritating and most importantly non-toxic, free from hidden allergens and carcinogens that may be present in slugging products.
How to get the best results from beeswax-based cream
🐝 Choose the highest quality products possible because you get what you pay for. We’re in the process of writing an article about how most beeswax out there is contaminated with pesticides from broadacre agriculture. Seriously. So do your research folks!
🐝 Apply beeswax-based creams consistently and especially after showering or cleansing your face. They’ll help replenish moisture-loss from washing and also absorb residual moisture into your skin while it’s damp.
🐝 Combine with humectants for even greater softness and hydration. We love pampering our skin with our Bioactive Leatherwood Honey Jelly Mask rich with humectant hyaluronic acids, or layering with our olive-squalene-based Liquid Velvet Serum, drawing moisture into the skin and then locking it in with our beeswax-based moisture creams..
The take home
Trans Epidermal Moisture Loss (TEWL) can lead to dryness, dullness, irritation and skin you just don’t feel good in. Covering your face in petroleum jelly is one approach, beeswax-based creams are another, naturally and effectively combating TEWL to maintain a healthy, hydrated complexion.
With their natural barrier-forming properties and soothing emollients, beeswax-based creams offer a simple yet powerful solution for promoting skin health and preventing moisture loss. We love our Leatherwood beeswax, and hope you do too.
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