Does Slugging Actually Clog Pores? We Tested a Viral Balm

Myth Busted

We put the ultimate occlusive balm to the test to see if this beloved skincare step is a hydration hero or a breakout villain.

Expert Analysis · Honest Reviews · Real Results

1.🔍Slugging on Trial

Slathered my face in a viral balm for a month. My pores are typing this.

The real test: using it every night on my combo, breakout-prone skin. No mercy.

2.⚠️The Contender

La Roche-Posay‘s Cicaplast Baume B5. About $16. The claim? Soothe everything without clogging a single pore.

A thick, white balm that doesn’t drip.

Medicinal, sterile — like a trustworthy pharmacy.

A metal tube. Feels clinical, not cute.

Photo: Olga Thelavart / Unsplash

3.🧪The Science Bit

It’s a repair cream, not just an occlusive. The hero is Madecassoside — a powerful calming agent from centella.

Photo: Angelina / Unsplash

4.✅The Feel Test

Goes on like thick whipped butter. Leaves a visible white cast for a minute — you will look ghostly. Absorbs to a satin finish in about 5 minutes.

Surprise: It didn’t cause massive congestion. But it also didn’t magically heal active breakouts overnight. It just… quieted everything down.

💡

One Thing: Warm a pea-sized amount between fingers first. Smears easier, uses less.

Photo: Felipe Vieira / Unsplash

5.💡The Real Deal

Flaky patches? Gone in two days. Redness? Visibly calmer. But my blackheads didn’t budge — this isn’t a pore cleanser.

✅

Buy if

Your barrier is wrecked, you’re red, or your skin feels tight and angry.

⏭️

Skip if

You have oily, congestion-prone skin and want to slug every night.

💰

Worth it?

Yes. The tube lasts forever and it’s a legit rescue treatment.

Photo: Dominik Vanyi / Unsplash

6.🤔Final Call

Not a pore-clogging villain. A strategic healing ally. Use it as a targeted treatment, not an all-over nightly slug.

8.5/10

A repair hero, not a breakout cause.

🛍️

Where to Buy: Target or Ulta. Get the small tube first — it’ll last you months.