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What Is Skin Flooding? Here’s What We Know About the Viral Skincare Trend
TikTok is full of quirky, one-off beauty crazes—but some trends actually deserve your attention. Enter skin flooding, the latest viral technique promising to drench your complexion in hydration. As temperatures drop and our skin feels drier than ever, this trend is popping up everywhere online. But before you dive in, here’s what experts want you to know.
What is skin flooding?
At its core, skin flooding is exactly what it sounds like: a hydration overload for your face. “It aims to hydrate the skin by stacking various hydrating products on top of each other,” explained Dr. Jimmy Sung to NBC, medical director at Tribeca Aesthetics in New York.
But it’s not about smearing every cream in your bathroom cabinet onto your face. “It’s more about layering multiple hydrating products, such as toners, essences, serums, and moisturizers, to saturate the skin,” Melanie Abeyta told the outlet, who works as an aesthetic nurse practitioner and owner of Harmony Aesthetics Center in Los Angeles. “The goal is to achieve plump, supple, and luminous skin while supporting the skin barrier and improving overall texture and elasticity.”
Most people who try the trend stick to a simple four-step process: a hydrating face wash, a toner, a serum and a moisturizer. The key? Ingredients that lock in moisture. Think hyaluronic acid, glycerin, squalane, and ceramides—the kind of components dermatologists swear by for deep hydration.
The benefits of skin flooding
The biggest perk is obvious: hydration. When you layer products correctly, your skin absorbs and locks in moisture, leaving it soft, smooth and comfortably hydrated. “Anytime you add moisture to your skin, you help support your skin’s hydration,” noted Lizz Starr, Executive Director of Product Development at Origins.
It’s also great for your skin barrier—the outer layer that keeps water in and pollutants out. A compromised barrier can lead to dryness, irritation, and premature aging. Skin flooding helps replenish this layer and fortify it against daily stressors.
And let’s not forget radiance. Dry, dull skin is instantly brightened when drenched in hydration. “Moisturizers are formulated to help boost skin hydration. And when skin is hydrated, it can appear more radiant,” said Starr.
Should you try it?
If your skin feels parched or you love a glowy complexion, skin flooding can be a game-changer. Just remember: layer strategically, focus on hydrating ingredients and don’t overcomplicate it. Your skin will thank you.
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