2022 has been a year full of trends on TikTok, especially in skincare! There are overlooked trends that suddenly took to the spotlight, many of which are new for many! Before we wrap up this year, I thought I’d share with you a few skincare trends that have taken the internet by storm and discuss whether they are a do or pass.
Slugging
What Is It?
Slugging involves applying petroleum-based products on the face as the last step of your skincare routine. Slugging can be used with a product like Vaseline, Aquaphor, or any occlusive product with a thick and balmy-like consistency. For those interested in the trend, slugging can benefit anyone experiencing dry and irritated skin. That’s because applying the occlusive product as the last step of your routine can help prevent moisture loss and maintain a hydrated skin barrier.
Why You Should Try It
If you have dry skin, this is a step that you can consider adding to your routine. You can think of slugging as a seal for your previous skincare steps; that way, the moisture stays trapped in your skin and prevents water loss. If you live in dry climates or have a damaged skin barrier, you can add this to your routine for a few days a week.
Tip: Always remember that slugging does not offer moisturizing benefits (it is a method to retain moiture), so it is important to moisturize your skin before trying the trend!
Why It Might Be A Pass
Although this is great for those with dry skin, acne-prone skin types might want to pass on this trend. That’s because slugging traps in any moisture, including the sebum your skin produces! So, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, slugging can most likely cause more irritation! Instead of using a petroleum-based occlusive, consider incorporating a product like the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Balm. This product is a multi-purpose cream that hydrates the skin but also soothes any irritation, and of course, it isn’t a petroleum-based product.
Snail Mucin
What Is It?
Snail mucin is an effective and hydrating ingredient beloved by countless skincare lovers for its moisturizing and collagen-stimulating properties. This ingredient helps hydrate the skin and aids in skin healing through regeneration. Generally, snail mucin can be used on all skin types and is typically well-tolerated. It can also be combined and used in the same routine as many acids and antioxidants like vitamin C, retinol, and glycolic acid!
Why You Should Try It
Is your skin looking saggy or a little lackluster? Snail mucin is perfect for adding more glow and hydration to the skin. Due to the moisturizing factors of the ingredient, it works well for those with dry skin. It’s an ingredient many can use, and considering its natural chemical exfoliative properties; snail mucin can benefit sensitive skin types who generally can’t tolerate chemical exfoliants.
Why It Might Be A Pass
When using a new ingredient or product, it’s best to patch-test on your neck or behind the ears before committing! While snail mucin is generally safe for all skin types, it’s possible to develop an allergic reaction.
Ice Facials
What Is It?
Facial icing is self-explanatory because the process is, quite literally, applying ice to your face. This may take the form of rubbing ice directly onto the skin or dunking the entire face into a bowl of ice water. Those who enjoy ice facials swear that the cold helps with blood circulation in the comfort of their home!
Why You Should Try It
Applying ice on the face reduces puffiness and brightens your complexion. Since ice facials don’t require many items, you can do them at home and even see immediate results after one session! To give yourself an ice facial, you can use a piece of ice wrapped in a thin cloth to massage your face lightly. By having a cloth around the ice, you’re not only creating a buffer to protect your skin but also preventing your skin from developing potential ice burns. As you’re rubbing ice over your skin, you can focus on cooling down inflamed areas or giving your skin a “perked and awake” look. Afterwards, you can follow up with a moisturizer so your skin doesn’t dry out!
Tip: Try to prevent from applying ice directly onto the skin and don’t let it stay in one position for too long! That will cause redness, irritation, and in extreme cases, break the delicate capillaries underneath your skin.
Why It Might Be A Pass
Ice facials will not benefit you if you have thin or sensitive skin or recently underwent facial procedures. This is because ice facials can easily irritate delicate and sensitive skin and aggravate the healing process if your skin is damaged. Instead, you can apply soothing products to speed up skin healing or receive facials that help provide the same effect. Ice facials act as a pick-me-up to the skin and shouldn’t be viewed as a cure-all for all skin concerns.
Hydrocolloid Bandages
What Is It?
Also known as pimple patches or hydrocolloids, these bandage-like stickers help absorb pus and encourage our pimples to heal! The patches also allow us to prevent picking at our pimples. Some brands even have acne-fighting ingredients infused into the patches to provide more benefits for our skin. Nowadays, there are even differently shaped patches for various facial areas! For example, patches for the nose and chin area help suck out excess sebum!
Why You Should Try It
If you have a habit of picking at your acne and blemishes, these patches are exactly what you need. They help to decrease inflammation and bacterial infection and reduce the chances of scarring. I love that they are helpful, inexpensive, and typically available at any drugstore! While any pimple patch can work, using those infused with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide can effectively help your pimples!
Why It Might Be A Pass
Unfortunately, not all pimple patches help prevent scarring. For this particular concern, you can turn to microneedle patches to help. But when compared to our hydrocolloids, these patches tend to be pricier. Additionally, pimple patches work best for active acne or acne with a pus-filled head. These patches may not work if you have deeper pimples or blackheads.
Skin Cycling
What Is It?
Skin cycling is a four-night skincare routine popularized by dermatologist Whitney Bowe. The routine consists of chemical exfoliation on the first night, a retinoid on the second night, and recovery on the third and fourth nights. After the fourth night, you can repeat the cycle. Those who swear by this trend note how easy it is to keep track of your routine, especially when you want to organize your exfoliating and retinoid nights.
Why You Should Try It
This method is perfect for sensitive skin, especially if you can’t handle using retinol or an exfoliating product daily. Since the skin cycling method requires two days of exfoliants and two days of recovery, you can help your skin adjust to different active ingredients, prevent over-exfoliation, and build a healthy skin barrier without irritation!
Why It Might Be A Pass
Not everyone can benefit from a four-day regimen! Although skin cycling can be a safe way to incorporate products with active ingredients, you may need to adjust depending on your skin’s tolerance. Additionally, if you add new products with active ingredients to your routine, it’s also crucial to patch-test before committing to the product.
As for anyone accustomed to retinol products, the skin-cycling method may be less effective for you. This is because retinoids are potent active ingredients that can work with daily use. If you’re already regularly using a prescription-strength retinol product, the skin cycling method might prevent your skin from seeing faster results.
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