What is Skin Flooding?

Whilst skin flooding might sound fairly intense, in reality it’s a simple skincare strategy with which you might be familiar: layering your products in a specific manner to lock in moisture.

In the journal entry below, I cast my expert eye over skin flooding facts, the system’s key steps and share my hand-picked product recommendations.

What Is Skin Flooding?

Inspired by Korean skincare techniques – and causing a serious stir on TikTok – skin flooding focusses on delivering deep hydration to the skin by layering products in a specific order to “flood” the skin with moisture. This results not only in hydrated skin, but – since dehydration can be a root cause of redness, inflammation and irritation – a more resilient skin barrier and a plump, radiant appearance.

Typically, skin flooding starts with the application of a lightweight, water-based humectant (such as a serum containing hyaluronic acid or glycerin) to damp skin and building up to richer, more occlusive layers to lock in moisture. The fact skin is damp when you start the process is important: it means your skin can more effectively draw moisture into its deeper layers for long-lasting hydration.

Benefits Of Skin Flooding

Since skin flooding is focused on delivering hydration, it’s a great system for anyone suffering with dry or dehydrated skin, effectively combating flakiness and tightness. It’s also a strong approach for sensitive skin, as this level of gentle hydration can soothe and calm an irritated skin barrier.

In fact, I would recommend trying skin flooding to anyone looking to revitalise their skincare routine, particularly during the colder months when our skin tends to lose moisture.

The Downsides Of Skin Flooding

In the grand scheme of beauty routines, skin flooding is fairly foolproof. That said – as with any skincare system – it’s important to take it slowly, as overloading the skin can lead to clogged pores or irritation. I’d recommend choosing non-comedogenic and fragrance-free products to minimise the risk of breakouts or sensitivity.

It’s also important to note that, the more layers of skincare you apply, the greater the likelihood of pilling, especially if your routine contains silicones. To avoid this, ensure you are giving each product ample time to absorb, particularly when applying make up.

Skin Flooding Steps

If you’re feeling ready to start, simply follow the five skin flooding steps below:

1. Cleanse: Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt without stripping the skin.
2. Dampen The Skin: Apply products on damp skin to maximise absorption.
4. Apply A Serum: Use a hydrating serum with humectants like hyaluronic acid or glycerin to draw moisture into the skin.
4. Smooth On A Moisturiser: Seal in hydration with a cream or lotion suitable for your skin type.
5. Add An Optional Occlusive Layer: For those with very dry skin, finish with an occlusive like petroleum jelly or a balm to prevent moisture loss.

Skin Flooding Products

When it comes to skin flooding, the most crucial step to consider is the serum, but the importance of cleansing thoroughly cannot be overlooked, as it creates the right canvas for optimal absorption.

Here are my top three skin flooding product recommendations:

1. CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser removes dirt and excess oil without compromising the integrity of your skin’s barrier.
2. Beauty Pie Triple Hyaluronic Acid Lipopeptide Serum contains but three molecular weights of HA for intense hydration.
3. CeraVe Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum not only hydrates, but the addition of ceramides and vitamin B5 offers powerful skin barrier-protection.

Discover further details on the skin care trends you should know about, via my journal.