If you’ve been on TikTok recently and the algorithm picked up on your love for skincare, you’ve seen the words ‘skin flooding’ floating around.
The method itself isn’t anything new – it just got a rebrand of sorts.
The main point of skin flooding is to layer hydrating products in a specific order that will give your skin the best results.
Skincare enthusiasts and professionals alike have been debating on the correct order of products for as long as skincare has been a thing, so this routine has been around for a while.
But does skin flooding actually work? And should you try it out too?
Keep on reading and we’ll answer all your questions!
What Is Skin Flooding?
As we said, skin flooding is a skincare routine that includes layering products in a specific order.
The products in question are all aimed at boosting hydration, so many have also dubbed this trend as a method of winter-proofing your skin, which makes sense as we slowly get ready for fall.
A well-hydrated skin with a strong barrier can help you ward off the negatives of going out during the cold and windy days that are probably closer than we think.
Building up that protective layer with the skin flooding method is one way to do this, so this trend might be worth giving a shot.
@thewrightglow Skin flooding is so underrated. This technique has healed my skin barrier so many times #skinflooding #skincare #skinbarrier #skinbarrierrepair #skincaretips ♬ Dont remix - Fredo🫶🏽
What Are the Steps to a Skin Flooding Routine?
Now that we’ve established that a crucial part of skin flooding is the order of the products, let’s get into what those products are and how you should layer them according to this trend. The point is to move from thinnest to thickest, so:
- Step 0: Wash your face and pat it dry.
- Step 1: Mist. The best ones are either just water-based or with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, or rosewater because they’re the most moisturizing.
- Step 2: A light serum. This can be anything you like, as long as it’s hydrating.
- Step 3: Wait a few minutes and then reapply your mist.
- Step 4: A heavier serum. Same as before – anything that’s hydrating.
- Step 5: Wait, reapply mist.
- Step 6: A night cream or facial mask of your choosing.
- Step 7 (optional): A facial oil. You can add this step if your skin is particularly dry and remember to wait and reapply another layer of mist between steps 6 & 7 if you decide to do the oil too.
NOTE
To get the best results, flood your skin around 30 minutes to an hour before bed.
That way, the products have more than enough time to get absorbed by your skin instead of drenching your pillowcase and you wake up with a radiant complexion!
What Do I Need for Skin Flooding?
When it comes to skin flooding, pretty much any product you already own will work fine, as long as it hydrates your skin.
But, if you’re looking to refresh your skincare cabinet with some new finds, here’s what we recommend for building your skin flooding regime:
Is the Skin Flooding Trend Actually Good for My Skin?
If done correctly – yes.
Like any other new product or routine, you have to try it out in order to see for yourself how your skin will react to it.
But the steps where you wait and reapply your mist are there to ensure that products don’t pile up and instead get absorbed well before moving on to the next product.
So, if you do it slowly enough, the trend should work as intended. Still, if you try it out and notice that your skin isn’t reacting as you’d like it to, don’t force it.
What Are the Benefits?
The main and most obvious benefit of skin flooding is the added hydration you’re providing to your skin, which is especially important if you generally have dry and flaky skin.
The space you give your skin in between the steps also allows that moisture to be locked in. That way, you’re nurturing your natural barrier and ensuring that your skin stays protected from the elements – winter-proofing it, as some would say.
If you stick to this routine for long enough (provided that it works well for you, of course), the hyaluronic acid will ensure that the signs of aging on your face are reduced and slowed down as well, giving your skin more elasticity and firmness.
@drdennisgross What is skin flooding? 🤔 Is it a science or a trend? Hear what Dr. Gross has to say! 🧑🏻⚕️ #drdennisgrossskincare #skinflooding #dermatologist #skincaretips #hydration ♬ original sound - Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Are There Any Drawbacks to Skin Flooding?
The most obvious risk of having that many products in your everyday routine is that one of them gives you a bad reaction. To avoid this, make sure you test each of them (especially if they’re new) and make sure that you don’t buy something you’re allergic to.
There’s also a slight chance of clogging your pores. But if you give your skin enough time to absorb a product before coming in with the next one, you should be fine. If you have acne or acne-prone skin, be extra careful with the layers.
Either way, just be sure to listen to your skin over any online advice – skincare is a game of trial and error, so don’t be afraid to try out new things out and tweak the routine as you go.
How Often Should I Do It?
This depends on your skin type. Specialists recommend you do it every day if you have dry or even dehydrated skin. Flooding is a quick and easy method to remedy your condition with a relatively simple routine.
However, if you have oily or combination skin, you should do it less frequently. For some people, once a week will be enough, while others can do it once every 2-3 days.
Like we said, listen to your skin and adapt to its reaction.
Final Note: Skin Flooding vs. Skin Cycling
Finally, let’s address the other trend that’s hot right now and how it relates to skin flooding.
The only similarity between skin flooding and skin cycling is that they’re trending at the same time so it’s not unlikely that creators will use both hashtags on their posts simultaneously. This can lead to some confusion, so let’s break down the difference.
Skin flooding, like you’ve read here, is all about layering hydrating products in the order we listed. Skin cycling, on the other hand, also involves lots of products, but they’re applied in groups on different days.
