If you've spent any time on skincare social media, you've probably heard of slugging. The idea is simple: before bed, you seal your skin with a thick occlusive layer so moisture stays in overnight. People swear by it, and there's good reason. A protected skin barrier is a hydrated one.
But when we looked at how most people slug, two things bothered us. The first was the ingredients: slugging usually relies on petroleum-based jelly. The second was the mess: greasy pillowcases, sticky hair, and a routine that feels like a commitment.
So, we asked ourselves: could we keep what works about slugging, drop what doesn't, and build it from ingredients that reflect who we are?
What makes it different
The Restorative Barrier Serum Stick is our answer. It's a rich, occlusive formula, but it's built from natural ingredients instead of petroleum. It also includes botanical actives like Bidens pilosa, a plant extract that has been called "natural retinol" it supports skin barrier and hydration.
And it comes in a stick. No jars, no fingers in the product, no mess. You glide it on and go to bed.
The honest part: it takes a little getting used to
I want to be upfront about this, because you deserve the truth more than a perfect sales pitch.
This isn't a watery serum that disappears in seconds. It's a rich, occlusive formula, because that's what makes slugging work. The first few times you use it, it may feel different from anything else in your routine. Some of you have told us exactly that. One reviewer, Stephanie, found it waxy and hard to spread evenly, and I'm grateful she said so.
Here's what we've learned helps:
- Use it at night. It's designed to do its work while you sleep.
- Start with less than you think you need. A few light passes are enough.
- Glide, then press. Let the warmth of your skin soften it, then press it in with your fingertips.
- Put it everywhere: under eyes, neck, face, all over
Give it a week. Most of you have told us that's when it clicks.
How people are feeling
Once it clicks, the reviews tell the story:
"Initially when you put it on I thought it would feel greasy but within seconds it seeps into my skin." — Ruth K.
"Been using at night, and in the morning my skin is dewy and hydrated." — Rosanne T.
"So moisturizing without being sticky... I have oily skin and it doesn't bother my skin at all." — Verified Buyer
"This product has simplified my nighttime routine and my skin feels amazing in the morning." — JM
The payoff: plump, hydrated mornings
That's the result we designed for. You wake up with skin that looks plump and feels hydrated, and your barrier has had all night to hold on to moisture.
Why we made it this way
At Cheekbone, we believe beauty should honour both the people who wear it and the land it comes from. Slugging showed us what skin needs. Our job was to deliver it in a way that's cleaner, simpler, and true to our values.
Three weeks after launch, we're sold out. Add yourself to the waitlist for the next drop.