We live in an age where a new skin care routine or skin care technique pops up daily on TikTok. So much so, it’s hard to know what’s going to work and what’s a waste of time.
Luckily for you, I’ve put my skin on the front lines of the beauty industry so you don’t have to, and I’m back to report on my most recent findings – slugging skincare!
In the past, people have used Vaseline, Aquaphore, or CeraVe Healing Ointment to slug their face, but I recently came across a brand (via Instagram of course) that created their own slugging formula and products. It’s time for a Futurewise review!
FutureWise Review: Is This Slugging System Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine?
FutureWise, a company started by the same masterminds as Starface pimple patches, is a skincare line focused solely on the slugging system.
Although slugging isn’t a new fad, this company has completely rebranded this skincare technique and I have to say, their cute packaging made using recycled materials and website might just be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
Let’s get into how to do slugging skincare, and if FutureWise created the best products for slugging!
How to Slug Your Face
If you’ve never heard of slugging, don’t worry, it’s not as gross as it sounds.
This nighttime skincare routine focuses on retaining the skin’s moisture and protecting its barrier – otherwise known as transepidermal water loss – by “slugging” on a layer of thick petroleum based product before heading to bed (I guess it sounds a little gross).
Starting as far back as the 15th century with the Native American Seneca tribe, slugging has been a long loved practice by indigenous groups and Black communities. It’s also a certified dermatologist-approved method to help dry skin.
The full slug effect is to provide an occlusive layer to give the skin a plump and hydrating look.
And the best part about this dermatologist loved technique? It’s pretty simple.
Here are the steps:
- Clean your face
- Apply a moisturizer
- Apply a healing ointment or serum for acne, scars, or wrinkles
- Add a thin layer of your petroleum based product
- Sleep tight
I’ve also seen people ask, “do you wash your face after slugging?” And yes, you do, but only in the morning. To get the best benefits, you need to let the product sit overnight.
That’s the basics for how to slug your face at night, but does it actually work? And do the Futurewise products actually add anything to this simple and fairly cheap technique?
First, let me tell you a little bit more about this slugging brand.
What is FutureWise?
Futurewise is a brand making skin care products for one use only – to retain that sweet, sweet moisture your face needs.
The company started in 2021 and made an epic website with a major focus in slugs (like actual slugs). I think what drew me to their products was their marketing and packaging – the cherry on top was their ingredients list and amazing applicators.
(Oh, and the packaging is recyclable and they provide generalized guidelines online for how to recycle each product correctly via local recycling programs!)
Futurewise basically solves the problem of what to use for slugging by giving you exactly what you need to complete this process from start to finish.
I really love that I can count on one hand how many products FutureWise has in their line: A Slug Boost, A Slug Cream Barrier Repair, and a Slug Balm. The simpler, the better.
But are they actually worth your money? After testing each of the FutureWise items for around a month, I can finally give you the deep-dive on these products.
The FutureWise System
Alright, let’s get into what I got and what I thought.
The Slug Boost
This Slug Boost face mist is packed with ingredients to prevent water loss including Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic acid, Glycerin, and Squalane. Use as the first step in the slugging system and apply moisturizer and serums onto the damp skin. It gives you a great return on investment (aka clear skin!)
- Perfect misting
- Refreshing
- Hydrating
- Vegan, made in USA and Leaping Bunny certified
The Slug Boost is a misting applicator packed with ingredients to hydrate your skin.
Not only is the Slug Boost in an adorable, pink bottle, but the misting applicator is truly one of the best I have ever used – it perfectly saturates the face in a thin layer of dewy moisture!
If I were to keep anything from this line, it would be the slug boost. I have genuinely seen my skin clear up after spraying my face and applying my serums while my skin was still damp.
It’s also lasted quite a long time with daily use!
This spray is a must for dry skin and for those looking for an extra plump in the morning. Out of all the products in the FutureWise Slugging System, this one is the most impressive
The Slug Cream
The Slug Cream is the second step in the FutureWise Slugging system! It’s a moisturizer with a vegan triple lipid complex and highlighting peptide. Great for sensitive skin girlie!
- Light formula
- Cute packaging
- Help maintain skins moisture
- Watery consistency
- Small product packaging
This light moisturizer, full of triple lipid complex and highlighting peptide, is the second step in your slugging routine. One key thing to know here is hydration means plump skin.
The triple lipid complex consists of plumping fatty acids, replenishing cholesterol, and hydrating ceramides that all work together to strengthen your skin’s barrier. The highlighting peptide works to give you a dewy and smooth finish on your skin.
It all sounds great in theory, but I felt I wasn’t getting the moisture I needed from this cream and there were better, cheaper options out there.
Although this cream has some awesome ingredients that work for sensitive skin, I still prefer The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA cream (as it’s more affordable and more product).
I did love the applicator pump on this barrier repair moisturizer, though. I think this company took a lot of time thinking about the perfect packaging from color to size and actual application.
The Slug Balm
The slug balm is the last step in your PM routine. The balm is a jelly like substance derived from plant oils with a lightweight formula to give you a protective barrier on your skin while you sleep.
Great for those who want fresh, plump skin in the morning!
- Protects skin barrier
- Provides occlusive benefits (which prevents moisture loss)
- Lightweight on the skin
- Only need a small amount of the balm for the entire face
- Can cause slight acne breakouts
- Can clog pores
The Slug Balm is arguably the most essential part of the FutureWise system. It’s comparable to a petroleum jelly texture but doesn’t leave a thick layer on the skin when applied. FutureWise added plant-based oils and a lipid complex to help with skin barrier repair and improve the skin’s ability to retain water.
Overall, this balm has all the characteristics to make my skin glow, but I need to warn you – If you have acne prone skin, this balm might worsen your face.
I should have watched a video or two answering the question “how often to slug face?” because I think that’s where things went wrong.
If you have acne prone skin like me, your best shot at clear skin with the FutureWise system is to use the slug balm two to three times a week and not every night. When I was using it nightly, there was a strong link between my face progressively getting worse and this balm.
I do think it’s a better alternative than Vaseline, but for those with sensitive skin, you can leave this one out of your skin care routine or only use it a few times a week.
That’s every item I tested from FutureWise!
For those who love an aesthetic array of beauty products, FutureWise will definitely boost the look of your vanity or bathroom cabinet!
Does FutureWise Work?
This is a bit of a complicated answer because I think the slugging system works well for certain skin types and poorly for others.
For instance, slugging acne prone skin might yield completely different results than slugging on dry skin.
For me, my acne prone skin did not like being sealed up all night and started to react with little bumps along my temple and mouth. I was expecting a miracle result after seeing all the slugging content on TikTok, but I got very different results.
I’m not mad at FutureWise for my poor skin, though. I actually really like the ingredients included in the FutureWise line and I believe I would have had much better results if I reduced my slugging from every night to once or twice a week.
I think the key for good skin is a mixture of products and brands. Mix in a little of everything from Drunk Elephant to The Ordinary and a dash of FutureWise! You can find most beauty products on Amazon or head to Target to get your Futurewise fix.
Have you tried slugging before? What were your favorite products to use? Let me know in the comments below!
This Slug Boost face mist is packed with ingredients to prevent water loss including Hyaluronic Acid, Polyglutamic acid, Glycerin, and Squalane. Use as the first step in the slugging system and apply moisturizer and serums onto the damp skin. It gives you a great return on investment (aka clear skin!)
- Perfect misting
- Refreshing
- Hydrating
- Vegan, made in USA and Leaping Bunny certified
The Slug Cream is the second step in the FutureWise Slugging system! It’s a moisturizer with a vegan triple lipid complex and highlighting peptide. Great for sensitive skin girlie!
- Light formula
- Cute packaging
- Help maintain skins moisture
- Watery consistency
- Small product packaging
The slug balm is the last step in your PM routine. The balm is a jelly like substance derived from plant oils with a lightweight formula to give you a protective barrier on your skin while you sleep.
Great for those who want fresh, plump skin in the morning!
- Protects skin barrier
- Provides occlusive benefits (which prevents moisture loss)
- Lightweight on the skin
- Only need a small amount of the balm for the entire face
- Can cause slight acne breakouts
- Can clog pores
1 comment
This post is so informative! I had no idea about the benefits of slugging until now. Your detailed review of FutureWise products really helped me understand what to look for. Can’t wait to try it out!