New TikTok Trend: Nail Slugging. Here are the facts and how it works

You’re likely familiar with “slugging” your skin, which is layering thick balm-like products such as petroleum jelly on top of your skin-care products at nights to provide extra hydration. But have you ever heard of nail slugging, or simply putting a layer of oily product over your products at night? TikTok is all about it — but is nail slugging a good idea or an unnecessary step?

TikTok users love nail slugging for their stronger and healthier nails. The #nailslugging videos show users applying a cuticle oil such as CND’s Solar Oil to their nails and then rubbing it in. Finally, they apply a thicker moisturizer like Vaseline or Aquaphor.

This method is mostly approved by professionals, with maybe a few tweaks. Brittney Boyce, a nail artist, says that her hands are more sophisticated than my face when it comes to skin care. “I always advise my clients and friends to keep their cuticle oil and their hand cream on every surface, including the bathroom and next to their computer. This is essential to maintain soft, supple nails.”

Boyce suggests that slugging your nails is an excellent addition to your nail-care regimen. She explains that cuticles are essential for nail health. Their function is to prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the nail bed, potentially causing an infection. “Cuticles that are dry can crack and split, which compromises the protective barrier and increases the risk of infection. It is important to nip any hang nails or excess skin.

Mona Gohara MD, a board certified dermatologist, is in agreement. She is based out of Hamden, Connecticut. “That tiny bit of skin does a lot. They protect the skin beneath your nails,” she says. “Healthy cuticles can cause infection with yeast or bacteria, as well as other inflammations such redness and puffiness.”

Dr. Gohara believes nail slugging is “derm’s best friend” and she does it herself. Vaseline is an occlusive that helps heal, moisturize, glisten, and plump. It’s a panacea for our skin barrier in many different ways. [Dr. Gohara is an unpaid partner at Unilever, which is the parent company for Vaseline.] Dr. Gohara suggests sticking to unscented products, and using purified mineral oils.

Boyce recommends that you use hand cream instead of petroleum jelly. She shares that petroleum jelly can be slugging is not something she would use on a daily basis because it is very occlusive, and doesn’t absorb into the skin. “It leaves a tacky and sticky texture. I prefer an oil or cream that absorbs into the skin and doesn’t get on my phone.”

Boyce loves JinSoon Extract Honeysuckle + Primrose Cuticle Oil and Orly Breathable Cuticle Oil. She also likes Barefoot Scientist Inner Strength Nail & Cuticle Renewal Drops. Dior’s Huile Abricot cuticle oil is her favorite. KP Away Lipid Reparative Emollient and Necessaire Hand Cream are her favorites for hand creams. Boyce uses cuticle oil and cream five to six times a day. However, she says that oil should always be applied after doing nails. Too much oil can cause damage to gel, polish, or even press-ons.

You can give your cuticles the care they need by slapping your nails with oil and thick occlusives. Dr. Gohara says that cuticles are subject to a lot of abuse, more than any other skin part, especially with all the cleaning, sanitizing and biting, picking up, manicuring, and working we do. The cuticle skin is protected and given the chance to heal by using an occlusive. Happy cuticles are often accompanied by happy nails, as we all know.

Okay, TikTok. We’ll give this one to you.