Everything You Need To Know About TikTok’s Latest “Skin Flooding” Trend
You’re not alone if your skin feels tighter and dryer than usual. Winter is upon us, and cooler weather is a common cause for a lackluster complexion and insatiably dry skin. As a result, TikTok came to the rescue revealing a new, trendy skincare trend to combat dryness. Meet “skin flooding.”
This new trending skincare routine is setting the internet on fire, and many are wondering, what is skin flooding? How is it different than regular moisturizing? Is it right for my skin type? We’re answering all of your skin flooding questions and other beauty trends FAQs. So without further ado, let’s dive in.
What is skin flooding? and why is it going viral?
The name sounds like an elaborate skincare routine that would involve a snorkel, but instead, skin flooding is quite simple. Skin flooding provides the most hydration possible through layering different moisturizing products.
These layers involve a series of 4 basic steps: cleansing, spritzing, serum(s), and moisturizer. We’ll dive more into these later. The goal of this technique is to give the skin a plump, dewy look by locking in moisture and creating a barrier between the skin and the environment.
The term “flooding” is appropriate because this trend is rooted in applying products to damp skin. Damp skin absorbs products better than dry skin, so the idea of “wetting” the skin with water or skincare products can prepare its surface for future steps delivering ultimate efficacy and absorption.
Skin flooding went viral on TikTok for one good reason: we all deal with dry skin. Dry skin is a common concern affecting all skin types (especially in cooler winter months).
Dry skin doesn’t just create lackluster complexions prone to flaking, redness, and dullness, but it also enhances the appearance of fine lines and aging.
How Does Skin Flooding Work?
Skin flooding works by layering moisturizing products on damp skin. If you didn’t know, the order in which you layer your skincare matters greatly. Different formulations and their active ingredients vary in molecular size and concentration.
That means you want to layer the most concentrated, smallest molecular sizes first to penetrate the deepest into the skin, followed by barrier-creating products. To sum it up, always start by applying thinner, water-based products. Follow up with thicker, richer products or those with higher oil contents.
Benefits of Skin Flooding
Since skin flooding is rooted in basic skincare principles, there are many benefits to trying this buzzy trend. Some benefits of skin flooding are that it can:
Restore the skin’s natural moisture levels.
Reduce irritation, redness, and inflammation.
Help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Encourage brighter, glowing skin with dewier features.
Maximize product absorption and efficacy.
Help you get the most out of your skincare products.
Be achieved through everyday, staple skincare products.
A step-by-step guide to skin flooding
The great news about skin flooding is that it can be performed with skincare staples you may already own. It’s also safe to do daily, assuming your skin needs ample hydration. Here is a breakdown of the 4 steps of skin flooding.
Step 1: Cleanse
To kick off your skin flood, gently clean the face. Choose a cleanser that doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils, like a cream cleanser or one classified for sensitive skin. DO NOT dry your face completely. Moisturizers work better with a water source to draw from, so damp skin is essential for a successful skin flood.
Step 2: Spritz
Next, mist your face with a thermal water spray or a similar spritz, like a hydrating toner. This will add to the moisture level of your skin’s surface and further calm the skin.
Step 3: Apply Serum(s)
The third step is to apply serums to your freshly moistened skin. A serum with hyaluronic acid (HA) is ideal since it has a small molecular structure and can penetrate deeper as it works to draw in moisture.
While one HA serum would suffice, some skin flooders add other serums with active ingredients, like niacinamide, for extra benefits.
Step 4: Moisturize
Lastly, it’s time to end the flood with a moisturizing lotion. Wrapping up this routine with a rich face cream creates an artificial barrier over the skin that seals in the layers of products. If you’re skin flooding in the morning, you can apply an SPF over the top.
And voila! There are your 4 basic steps of face flooding.
Skin Flooding FAQs
Now that you know what skin flooding is and why it’s worth your attention, you probably have many questions. Let’s answer the internet’s most frequently asked questions on the topic.
What products do I need to flood my skin?
For any moisturizing skincare routine, hyaluronic acid is a go-to active ingredient to integrate. This unique acid attracts and holds onto water molecules (up to 1,000x its own weight) and is small in structure, so it settles under the skin’s surface.
Other ideal products for skin flooding are those with hydrating or calming properties. Avoid any products with fragrances, exfoliants, or peels. Skin flooding is all about hydration, so choose high-quality, moisture-rich products.
How often should I skin flood?
Skin flooding is safe for most skin types and can be performed daily or as often as needed. However, those with sensitive skin should proceed with caution when skin flooding because this process increases the penetration of products, which may cause irritation.
What type of skin is best (and worst) for skin flooding?
Skin flooding may not be suited for people with oily or acne-prone skin since excessive use of products can cause breakouts.
If you suffer from any medical skin conditions, it’s always a good idea to consult a medical professional before trying anything new. It’s important to remember that not every trend is for every person, and that’s okay!
Back to the basics
Many beauty trends online go in and out of style as quickly as they appear. However, skin flooding is one trend that has the potential to stick around. Why? It simply taught us to go back to the basics.
Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of this trend or just want to take a more straightforward approach to skincare, one thing is certain: focusing on skin health will always be the right skincare trend to follow.
