“Tik Tok said yes’ seems to be enough of an excuse to try out new beauty trends these days and we’re here for it. The platform has taught us about skin cycling, the ancient art of gua sha, the pros and cons of slugging, and how to look like a glazed donut (in a good way), among many other skincare temptations and beauty shortcuts. And while not all of these trends are ideal for all skin types or beauty goals, many of them are full of benefits. With over 4.2 million results on TikTok (and counting), skin flooding is one of the newest skincare trends flooding our feeds. Let’s see what it’s all about.
What is Skin Flooding? | How to perform skin flooding | Is skin flooded for everyone?
What is Skin Flooding?
Skin flooding involves layering moisturizing products in a specific order to provide deeper, longer-lasting hydration. The purpose of the exercise is to erase dehydrated skin, with the help of the star of the show: Hyaluronic Acid. We essentially load the skin with a combination of humectants (aka water attractants) and then double down on the hydrating serums. The final step is to lock everything in, all with the goal of achieving hydrated, firm and glowing skin. This ritual can be done before bed to really let it sink in, or in the morning to prepare your skin for the day. It involves four simple steps: gently cleanse your skin, spray on a mist, apply a serum (or two) and then lock it all in with moisturizer.
A guide to skin flooding
Step 1: Gentle cleansing
For best results, you’ll want to start with a gentle face wash that cleanses your skin without stripping it of natural oils. This will leave a perfect skin canvas, ready to take on the onslaught of moisture to come. Some good options for a gentle cleanse include ours Stone Crop Gel Wash that cleanses impurities without drying the skin. In addition to the hydrating and nourishing stone-grown plant, it contains chamomile, which rejuvenates, calms and balances the appearance of the skin, preparing it for the tsunami of moisture that is coming for it. Another great option for this step is the coconut milk cleanser. This gentle cleansing cream uses rich coconut milk, coconut oil and calendula oil to nourish skin for a cool, fresh finish.
Our Lemon Grass Cleanser is another gentle option. Olive oil, sunflower seed and linseed in this gentle formula gently remove impurities from the skin, while Biodynamic® organic and herbal ingredients help calm and soothe dry skin.
Step 2: Prep skin with moisture
Applying skin care products like moisturizers and serums to wet skin is always a good idea. According Birdie: “Moisturizers absorb water more effectively with a water source that you can draw from, so moist skin is more effective at this step.” Keep skin moisturized after cleansing, or double up by spritzing the face with a face mist, toner, or essential oil. A great option is the Stone Crop Hydrating Mist, which is full of nutrients, including stone again. Another option we love is the Birch Water Purifying Essence.
Product options
Mild cleanser for all skin types
Moisturizing and soothing tonic
Step 3: Double the serum
Now that the skin is ready for the main event, let’s open the floodgates with not one, but two serums! The first should be heavy on hyaluronic acid, also known as the molecule that attracts and holds water. This moisture magnet is the molecule around which the skin flood was built.
Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum is highly hydrating thanks to our unique Botanical Hyaluronic Acid Complex that maintains and replenishes moisture in the skin. It also contains other moisturizing ingredients like gica root and marshmallow. A thin layer on wet skin will start the flood. A second layer also works if you want to be extra. More is more when it comes to this routine.
Layering another serum on top of the hyaluronic layers is the next step to flood the skin with moisture. We recommend the powerful hydration found in the Stone Crop Serum. If hyaluronic acid is the protagonist of the skin flooding trend, stone crop is an excellent supporting character for its intense moisturizing properties.
Step 4: Lock it in with more moisture
Once your serums are absorbed, it’s time to apply a moisturizer to really lock in the hydration. There are a few options that will work for this step. If you overwhelm your skin during the day and are hoping for a glass or dolphin skin effect, then your last step might include a moisturizer with SPF. Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40 adds hydration while protecting. Another truly hydrating SPF is our Radiant Protection Liquid SPF. This all-mineral sunscreen goes on smooth and leaves skin looking and feeling refreshed.
If you’re more into skin flooding as a nightly ritual, you have a few options. To stay on the hyaluronic acid train, finish with our Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Moisturizer. This light gel-cream hydrates and locks in moisture. Our customers love it too. A self-proclaimed skincare enthusiast, Kate, left a review on our website calling it: “The best skin care product in the world” and continuing, “I’ve tried every product on the market. NOTHING compares to this! … The hydration and glow it gives is equivalent to what you usually need 4 products to do … It’s my absolute favorite step. The glow it gives every day makes you look fresh-faced!”
Marine Flower Peptide Night Cream is a richer option that adds another heavy dose of moisture and locks in the benefits of all the products that come before it.
If this trend reminds you a bit of slugging, you’re in the same wheelhouse. Layering products and then sealing them is the basis for both trends. So as a final step, instead of a traditional moisturiser, why not go with the Kombucha Microbiome Leave-On Masque. Melt it in your hands and roll it evenly on the face. Containing shea butter and beeswax, the mask will act as a coating to lock in hydration and prevent moisture from evaporating from the skin. You’ll wake up glowing!
Product options
Replenishment and hydration serum
Is skin flooded for everyone?
As with many viral beauty trends, skin flooding has a target audience. Although it is non-irritating and contains no active ingredients – making it safe for most skin types – it may not be ideal for sensitive skin because it increases the penetration of the product and can be A LOT. Try it, but go slow at first. Acne-prone or oily skin may not respond as well as drier skin types because layering multiple moisturizers could lead to breakouts. That said, the genesis of this idea—applying products to clean, damp skin for maximum absorption—is a solution we can all get behind.
Ready to try this skin trend but not sure where to start? Visit your local Eminence Organics Spa partner to get started.
