After years of misinformation regarding the bad effects to the skin by mainstream cosmetic marketer’s, the skin care industry has finally embraced Petrolatum as fruitful addition to one’s skin care regimen. What the industry was hiding was that Petrolatum’s beneficial properties for skin care and treatment have been extensively reported decades. It’s considered an occlusive moisturizer and skin protectant. It is non-comedogenic, non-irritant, and non-allergenic. Highly used in wound care, sports medicine, pharmaceutical compounding as a vehicle for the delivery of drugs. Petrolatum’s record in medical treatment applications to protect the skin against physical and chemical traumas are many, including the treatment of cuts, abrasions and burns goes undaunted. As scientist continue to develop new products, the next 100 years will likely find this unique natural product, petrolatum, at the top of the list in the personal skin care industry.
BioKorium was at the forefront of the industry with the use of Petrolatum in its Waterscreen Skin Ointment, the perfect adjunct to new “Slugging” phenomenon. Slugging was not a concept just started, people have been doing this for decades and has been part of BioKorium’s Skin Care Program since its inception. Originally developed as an after-skin care adjunct to the Glycolic Acid Skin Peel which begun in the early 1990’s and was an integral part of that treatment skin care program.
Slugging is the act of Slathering Petrolatum on your face to take advantage of its occlusive nature. This skincare trend gets its name from the “Slug-like” sheen it leaves on your skin after applying a petrolatum-based skin care product. Yes, referring to a Slug or Snail like slime this creature leaves in its path. Snail slime (mucopolysaccharide) is a kind of mucus (an external bodily secretion) produced by snails.
BioKorium was also at the forefront of Slugging and Slathering substantial amounts of hydration cream on your skin, compared to what the industry was preaching, to reach improved skin care results. We believed and created a cosmetic moisturizing cream that is found in large containers, Skin Water Hydration Cream. As petrolatum was being bad mouthed by the skin care industry for not being natural etc., so was Mineral Oil. In 2010 we posted an article “MINERAL OIL: NATURAL OR NOT NATURAL, A MARKETING FALLACY,” by Javier O. Moreno, PharmD, RPh. But we taught to our client base that Petrolatum and Mineral Oil are natural products, made from ancient, degraded plant materials deep in the earth.
Cosmetic companies would describe petrolatum products as an unrefined goo destructive to the skin. Others, described “Petrolatum products to include mineral oil, motor oil, waxes, plastics, WD-40/lubricant sprays etc.” Well, this is true, but as there are also different products derived from sugar: sorghum, molasses, brown sugar, refined sugar etc., there are also different products derived from petrolatum and different degrees and grades of the refinement process as well, which the cosmetic companies will not reveal.
According to Paula’s Choice, Cosmetic-grade mineral oil and petrolatum are considered the safest, most nonirritating moisturizing ingredients ever found (Sources: Cosmetic & Toiletries, January 2001, pg. 79, Cosmetic Dermatology, September 2000, pgs. 44-46). Yes, they can keep air off the skin to some extent, but that’s what a good antioxidant is supposed to do; they don’t suffocate skin! Moreover, petrolatum and mineral oil are known for being efficacious in wound healing, and also considered to be among the most effective moisturizing ingredient available (Source: Cosmetic & Toiletries, February 1998, pgs. 33-40). Also, yes, Petrolatum is a natural product derived from ancient, degraded plant material.
Be on the lookout for BioKorium’s X-Treme-Slugging Kit, everything you need to do the job, it is coming soon. Watch out for our new Introduction video on Hydration Slugging.
We also have a skin care plan in the works on Antioxidant Slugging, Glycolic Slugging, Slugging for Moisture, Slugging for Hair, Slugging for Hair; It is something BioKorium has been preaching and implementing since our inception since 1994.
