All About Skin Flooding

Ceramides, glycerins, and hyaluronic acid - When combined with a beauty regimen known as “skin flooding”, these ingredients can give you a glowy and dewy complexion. But is it a remedy for dry skin or just another trend? Read on to find out!

What is Skin Flooding?

Skin flooding, also commonly referred to as dermal flooding, is the technique of layering skincare products to help boost hydration. And while the idea of layering skincare products is relatively nothing new, skin flooding focuses on a small selection of three to four basic products. It focuses on enhancing hydration and minimizing flakiness making this method beneficial for individuals with dry skin. It’s also great for those with irritated skin caused by retinoids or ingredients such as alpha/beta hydroxy acids (AHAs/BHAs).

Benefits of Skin Flooding

Skin flooding offers several notable benefits. Some of these include:

• Hydration. This is perhaps the most obvious one, but this method works to combat dryness, flakiness, and dullness. 
• Improved skin texture. By restoring optimal hydration levels, skin flooding can also result in a plumper, more supple complexion. This can be particularly helpful when your skin has been over-exfoliated or exposed to dry environments.
• Youthfulness. This method can help restore a youthful glow by revitalizing the skin from within. It  promotes increased circulation and cell turnover, which leads to brighter, healthier-looking skin.

When performing this technique, refrain from excessive application of active ingredients such as retinoids, AHAs, and BHAs. Doing so can lead to skin irritation, inflammation, and persistent dry patches.

The Cons

In some individuals, excessive hydration can stimulate an overproduction of oil and lead to breakouts. Increasing the number of products can also raise the risk of pilling. Skin pilling commonly occurs when a product doesn’t penetrate the skin properly, forming little balls of dead skin. It’s important to note that not all ingredients will work harmoniously together. Only certain ingredients, like peptides and hydrating serums, tend to layer well.

How To:

• Start with a gentle cleanser. (Ex. My Clean Green Antioxidant Cleanser is a great example of a gentle & effective cleanser for all skin types)
• After cleansing, apply hyaluronic acid or a glycerin-based humectant to your skin while it’s still moist. Make sure each application is thoroughly saturated before applying a moisturizer.
• You’ll want to finish off with a nourishing moisturizer packed with ingredients such as ceramides and peptides. (Try our Night Quench moisturizer!)

Alternatively, you could also use a hydrating toner or mist first, followed by a humectant serum and moisturizer. To learn more about skin flooding, listen to my podcast here!