Would you rather SLUG or BUTTER your skin?
Sometimes first-mover advantage is overrated.
rhode is introducing a new product called Barrier Butter later this month. If you’re new to the concept of “slugging", it’s a process that was made popular by TikTok and Reddit where you take a thin layer of Vaseline or Aquaphor as an occlusive to lock in your skincare overnight.
I texted my friend (and esthetician)
this morning, and she broke down the genesis of the term “slugging” quite simply. “The principle of occlusion doesn’t need to be a whole thing, it’s what all skin needs to a degree (to trap water in) and some skin can benefit from more of (i.e. slugging). But slugging sounds a lot cuter and is more marketable than occluding I guess.”
Skincare brand Futurewise (same founder as Starface and Julie) was created to capitalize on this method of moisturizing, with their hero product Slug Balm. Dieux has a product called Barrier Blanket promoted on their site which is described as a multi-use occlusive slugging balm, but it has an odd disclaimer that reads, “Barrier Blanket is currently a work-in-progress formula. Your take is essential to our process–our product team can’t wait to get your insight and use it to guide a finalized version.” Interesting.
Before I continue, I want to plug
’s recent essay on naming things which I think about all the time when reading copy on beauty product description pages: