If you’ve ever found yourself slathering on layer after layer of moisturizer only to wake up with skin that still feels tight and flaky - rest assured you’re not alone. When the cold air arrives, it can leave your complexion craving something more than just another cream. That’s where the concept of “occlusives” comes in, along with a popular buzzword you might’ve seen on social media: slugging.

Sound curious? We decided to do some research for ourselves and found some science that shows how these techniques can revolutionize your winter skincare routine.

What Are Occlusives?

Think of occlusives like a winter coat for your skin. They create a barrier on top that prevents moisture from escaping - kind of like zipping up your favorite puffy jacket when it’s freezing outside. They work alongside your moisturizer to ensure your skin stays hydrated instead of evaporating all that goodness into the dry winter air.

Occlusives can be anything from shea butter to beeswax to more conventional ingredients like petrolatum (but we recommend keeping it natural). The idea is the same: they help seal in the moisture you’ve applied, so your skin can soak it up overnight (or throughout the day) without losing it to chilly wind or indoor heating.

Slugging: The Buzzword Explained

You might’ve heard of slugging, the internet-famous practice that leaves your face looking all glossy before bed. Despite the less-than-glamorous name (it refers to the shiny, “slug-like” finish), the concept is straightforward:

Finish your normal skincare routine - cleanse, treat, and moisturize as usual.
Add an occlusive as the last step, creating a shield that stops moisture from drifting off into the dry air.

For your morning routine, we recommend a more lightweight occlusive (like our antioxidant serum), and for nighttime, a thicker occlusive (the botanical butter is a fantastic option!). 

When you wake up, your skin is noticeably softer, less irritated, and more hydrated. The logic is simple: “If you lock in moisture, it won’t evaporate.”

Why Choose Natural & Organic Over Petrolatum?

A lot of people use petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to slug, and it definitely locks in moisture. But if you’re aiming for a cleaner, organic approach, you might not want a byproduct of crude oil on your face. For some, it can also trap bacteria and cause breakouts.

Thankfully, there are occlusives from nature’s pantry, like shea butter, beeswax, or jojoba oil, that offer that same barrier without the “petrochemical” factor. They’re also more aligned with a holistic, eco-friendly approach to skincare.

The Benefits of Slugging (And How it Can Help Your Winter-Weary Skin!)

• Prevents Transepidermal Water Loss: A fancy way of saying it keeps your skin from drying out by blocking moisture’s escape route.
• Extra Nourishment: When you seal in your moisturizer, you’re also sealing in the vitamins, emollients, and nutrients that help restore your skin’s barrier.
• Soothes & Protects: Cold winds and indoor heat can leave skin red or irritated. An occlusive layer can calm things down and give your face time to heal overnight.

Introducing Daytime and Nighttime Occlusives

Whether you're exposed to the elements in the day, or locking in moisture while you sleep, we recommend you use the appropriate occlusive to enhance your natural glow.

For daytime use, we recommend the Antioxidant Serum. This lightweight occlusive is formulated with anti-inflammatory phytonutrients, nourishing essential fatty acids, and powerful antioxidants to protect skin from the environmental stressors of modern life - like cellular damage caused by blue and ultraviolet light from computers, phones and the Sun, and inflammation from air pollution - while speeding recovery and regeneration for a revitalized complexion.

For nighttime use, The Botanical Butter is a rich, deeply moisturizing cream made with just five natural ingredients, including shea butter as the star occlusive. This helps reduce redness and inflammation while helping to soften fine lines with naturally occurring antioxidant superheroes - vitamin A and E. 

How to Elevate your Skincare Routine with Slugging:

1. Clean & Slightly Damp Skin

Gently cleanse and deep clean with one of our goat's milk infused bars. Removing impurities without drying, irritating, or stripping skin.

2. Spritz with Toner

Tone and refresh with our daily pH balancing and pore refining facial mist for all skin types - especially sensitive skin. 

3. Moisturize as Usual

Use your favorite moisturizer first to hydrate and feed your skin.

4. Apply a Thin Layer of Occlusive

For Daytime: Apply Antioxidant Serum

Finish your morning routine with our lightweight, oil-based serum. It seals in moisture while defending your skin from daily stressors like UV and pollution—perfect for a glow that lasts all day.

For Nighttime: Apply Botanical Butter

Before bed, lock in hydration with a thin layer of Little Seed's Botanical Butter. Wake up to soft, plump skin, thanks to a moisture barrier that keeps dryness at bay while you sleep.

Remember, a little goes a long way! No need to slather on a thick layer, just melt a small amount between your palms and then gently pat into skin. 

5. Enjoy Happy Skin!

In the morning, rinse if you’d like, or just gently pat your face to see how soft and nourished it feels.

Tips for Slugging

• Patch Test First: if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, test a small area before going all-in on slugging.
• Less Is More: a thin, even layer is typically enough, especially if you’re concerned about feeling too “heavy” or clogging pores.
• Customize It: maybe you only slug a couple of times a week, or only on the areas that need extra love (like your cheeks or forehead). Listen to your skin and adjust accordingly.

Winter can be harsh on skin, but you don’t have to pile on dozens of products to stay hydrated. Slugging with an occlusive might be the simple trick you’ve been missing, especially if you go for a clean, nourishing option like shea butter, the Antioxidant Serum, or our Botanical Butter. It’s all about helping your skin hold onto the moisture it already has, so you wake up with a smoother, happier complexion.

No fancy hacks or giant spending sprees required! Just a little barrier between you and the crisp winter air. Because sometimes, the best solutions are the ones that keep it simple and let nature do its thing.

Ready to give slugging a try? Explore our 3-Step Skincare Set, the Antioxidant Serum for daytime slugging and Botanical Butter for nighttime use and see why we think it’s a game-changer for winter skincare.