Slugging, Serums, and Freezing: Dr. B Addresses Viral Beauty Trends in 2026

By Dr. Kelly G. Burkenstock, MD, board certified in Internal Medicine and Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine

Scroll through TikTok or Instagram for a few minutes and you will find a new skin care hack promising glass skin overnight. Some of these trends are rooted in real dermatology. Others are harmless fun. A few can quietly set your skin back.

At Skin Body Health, Dr. Kelly Burkenstock has spent more than two decades helping patients improve the health and appearance of their skin at our New Orleans and Mandeville medical spas. We asked her to weigh in on the viral beauty trends patients ask about most, and to share what she actually recommends instead.

Which Viral Beauty Trends Are Worth It?

• Slugging: Helpful for very dry or compromised skin, but not ideal for oily or acne prone skin.

• Freezing serums: Skip it. Freezing does not sterilize your products and can weaken active ingredients.

• Retinol: Worth it, as long as you introduce it slowly and wear sunscreen every day.

• Sunscreen layering hacks: Keep it simple. Sunscreen goes on last in your morning routine.

• Hair serums: Great for shine and frizz, but thinning hair usually needs a deeper look.

• Face serums: One of the most effective steps you can add, when you choose the right ingredients.

1. Slugging: Does Slugging Skincare Really Work?

Slugging means applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly as the final step of your evening skin care routine. The name comes from the glossy, slug like finish it leaves behind.

Petrolatum is an occlusive, which means it forms a seal on top of the skin that slows the loss of moisture overnight. That is why slugging skin often feels noticeably softer by morning, and why the trend works best for dry, dehydrated, or irritated skin, especially in colder months or after over exfoliating.

Dr. B's take: Slugging can be helpful for the right skin type, but it is not for everyone. Because it seals in whatever sits underneath, it can also trap heavier creams, strong actives, and bacteria. For oily or acne prone skin, that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts, and layering it over retinoids or exfoliating acids can intensify irritation.

A more comfortable option for most skin types is Satin Seal Moisturizer, a barrier supporting formula made with squalane, coconut lipids, and glycosphingolipids that replenishes lipids and locks in hydration without the heavy, greasy feel. For very dry or weathered skin, HEAL Vitamin A & E Enriched Emollient Cream offers richer overnight support.

How to Try Slugging Safely

• Start with freshly cleansed skin so you are not sealing in dirt or makeup.

• Apply lightweight hydrating products first, then a thin layer of occlusive.

• Skip slugging on nights you use retinol or exfoliating acids.

• Change your pillowcase often.

• If you are prone to breakouts, limit slugging to dry patches only.

2. Freezing Serums and Ice Facials: What Dr. B Wants You to Know

Freezing is another trend that has taken over Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Some people freeze their serums in ice cube trays, while others store products in the freezer, claiming the cold kills bacteria and keeps formulas fresher.

Here is the reality: freezing does not sterilize skin care. Many bacteria survive freezing and become active again once the product thaws. The freeze and thaw cycle can also separate emulsions and weaken sensitive active ingredients such as vitamin C and peptides, which means you may be paying for a serum that no longer performs the way it should.

Cold can still be useful. A brief cold compress can temporarily reduce puffiness and redness. Our recommendation is to store products as directed on the label, keep a clean facial roller in the refrigerator rather than the freezer, and wrap ice in a clean cloth for no more than a minute at a time. For under eye puffiness, a targeted treatment like Erej Eye Rejuvenator is a more consistent option.

Freezing Skin Lesions Is a Medical Procedure, Not a Trend

In a clinical setting, freezing refers to cryotherapy, where a trained clinician uses extreme cold to remove certain skin growths. Freezing skin lesions at home with over the counter kits is not something Dr. B recommends. Any spot that is new, changing, bleeding, or irregular should be evaluated by a medical professional first. If you have a spot you are unsure about, schedule an evaluation with our providers.

3. Retinol: Still the Gold Standard for Anti-Aging

Retinol continues to be one of the most searched skin care ingredients online, and for good reason. Vitamin A derivatives have been studied for decades. Benefits include smoother fine lines, improved collagen production, fewer blemishes, and more even pigmentation.

However, retinol alone can be harsh, especially for sensitive skin, and can cause dryness, peeling, and redness during the adjustment period. Using a retinoid serum like Ageless Duo A & B is a gentler approach, formulated with high quality ingredients. Ageless Duo improves the appearance of both photo aging and acne breakouts and offers anti-aging benefits that minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles with less potential for irritation.

Dr. B's Retinol Tips

• Start two to three nights per week and increase gradually.

• Use a pea sized amount for your entire face.

• Follow with a moisturizer to support your skin barrier.

• Wear sunscreen every morning, since retinoids increase sun sensitivity.

• Avoid retinoids if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.

When topical retinol is not delivering the results you want, in office treatments can take collagen stimulation further. RFN Radio Frequency Microneedling improves texture, firmness, and fine lines, while the PRP Non-Surgical Facelift uses your body's own growth factors to support collagen production and skin renewal.

4. Sunscreen Layering Hacks: Keep It Simple

One viral trend involves applying sunscreen and then spreading an aqueous cream over the top to create an extra barrier. Dr. B recommends reversing the order. Rubbing a cream over sunscreen can disturb the even film sunscreen needs to protect you. Apply your moisturizer first, let it absorb, and make sunscreen the final step of your morning routine before makeup.

No matter how you choose to use sunscreen, Dr. Burkenstock strongly encourages you to use it every day. Sun exposure is one of the biggest drivers of visible aging, and excessive exposure can lead to lasting damage and skin cancer. Pure Mineral Sunscreen is an SPF 30 formula made with zinc and titanium, with a light tint that helps balance the white cast mineral sunscreens can leave behind. Reapply every two hours when you are outdoors.

If sun damage is already showing up as brown spots or uneven tone, BBL and IPL photofacials target pigmentation and restore clarity, and the Pigmentation Bundle helps maintain results at home.

5. Hair Serums: Shine Versus Real Hair Growth

Hair serums coat the hair shaft to smooth the cuticle, reduce frizz, and add shine. Ingredients such as hydrolyzed silk and hyaluronic acid help hydrate the hair and make it more pliable, which can help it appear fuller.

What a serum cannot do is change what is happening at the follicle. If you are noticing more shedding, a widening part, or thinning at the crown, the cause is often internal, such as hormonal shifts, nutrient gaps, or stress. Our recommendation is to address hair health from the inside out:

• Viviscal Pro is a clinically studied supplement that supports hair growth from within.

• The Hair Restoration Bundle combines targeted herbs and vitamins to support regrowth and help prevent premature hair loss.

• The Laser Therapy Cap for Hair Loss brings low level light therapy home.

• In office PRP Hair Restoration uses your own platelet rich plasma to stimulate dormant follicles.

Because hormones play such a large role in hair thinning, especially for women in perimenopause and menopause, Dr. B often evaluates hormone balance as part of the plan. Learn more about women's hormone therapy at Skin Body Health.

6. Best Serums for Face: What to Look For

Face serums are lightweight, concentrated formulas designed to deliver active ingredients more effectively than a typical moisturizer. The best serums for face are known to contain:

• Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A that supports cell turnover and collagen production.

• Vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps neutralize free radicals from UV exposure and pollution, brightens the complexion, and supports the skin's natural collagen production.

• Hyaluronic acid and glycerin, humectants that draw water into the skin and help keep it plump and hydrated.

• Peptides and antioxidants, like the resveratrol and peptide blend in Majestic Grape Serum, which helps smooth fine lines and even skin tone.

Dr. Burkenstock says the best overall skin care routine includes a cleanser, toner, targeted serum, moisturizer, and always sunscreen. A simple morning routine could look like this: Floral Seed Cleanser, Timeless CoQ10 Toner, Vitamin C serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. In the evening, cleanse, apply your retinoid, and follow with moisturizer. A combination of retinol, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid is ideal for anti-aging and anti-wrinkle support and helps you achieve a fresher, more youthful appearance.

7. The Biggest Trend of 2026: Personalized, Results Driven Skin Care

The strongest shift we are seeing in 2026 is a move away from one size fits all hacks toward personalized care guided by a medical provider. Patients want to know what their skin actually needs, and they want treatments that deliver measurable results.

That starts with understanding your skin. Dr. B's Skin DNA test offers insight into your genetic tendencies around collagen, sun sensitivity, and aging, so your routine can be built around your skin rather than a viral video. From there, in office treatments can take results further:

• Injectables and dermal fillers restore lost volume and soften lines, including facial volume changes that can follow significant weight loss.

• Hand rejuvenation addresses one of the most overlooked signs of aging.

• Medically supervised weight loss supports healthy, sustainable results with a physician's guidance.

• EM Body Sculpt and radio frequency body sculpting tone muscle and firm skin without surgery.

Supporting skin from the inside matters too. Collagen Supreme is a daily supplement that complements topical care and in office treatments. Explore the full range of anti-aging treatments at Skin Body Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is slugging good for acne prone skin?

Usually not. Because slugging seals in everything underneath it, it can contribute to clogged pores for oily or acne prone skin. A lighter barrier moisturizer is often a better fit.

Can you freeze skin care serums?

Dr. B does not recommend it. Freezing does not kill all bacteria, and the freeze and thaw cycle can break down active ingredients like vitamin C and peptides. Store products as directed on the label.

What is the best serum for your face?

It depends on your goals. Vitamin C is ideal in the morning for brightening and antioxidant protection, retinol is ideal at night for anti-aging, and hyaluronic acid works for nearly every skin type to support hydration.

How often should I use retinol?

Start two to three nights per week and increase slowly as your skin adjusts. Always pair it with a moisturizer and daily sunscreen.

Is it safe to freeze skin lesions at home?

Dr. B recommends having any new or changing spot evaluated by a medical professional before any removal. At home freezing kits can miss something that needs medical attention.

Get Personalized Skin Care Advice from Dr. B

Viral trends come and go, but healthy skin comes from a plan built around you. If you are unsure which products or treatments are right for your skin, Dr. Burkenstock and our team can help you build a routine and treatment plan that delivers real results.

Book your appointment in New Orleans or book your appointment in Mandeville, and explore Dr. B's physician formulated skin care at the Skin Body Health store.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.