Skin flooding is one of the latest skin care trends "flooding" consumer's pages on TikTok. This trend is centered around layering and applying different moisturizing products to the skin to aid in hydration. The technique works best by applying to damp skin to minimize water loss.
Let's take a look.
Skin Flooding Benefits
This method of skin care helps to maximize the product absorption and penetrative effects. The use of hydrating ingredients - serums specifically - help to not only moisturize the skin, but also bring the hydration to a deeper level. Moisturizers provide surface-level protection.
Another major benefit of this skin care trend is that it can provide hydration without clogging pores. It can also be used on many different skin types and conditions, and is especially helpful for those suffering from dry, flaky, dehydrated skin.
The trend is very similar to moisture sandwiching, as the idea is to "flood" the skin with hydration. The use of hyaluronic acid helps to hold onto the moisture in the skin while niacinamide, aka, vitamin B3, helps with skin hydration and brightening.
How to Practice Skin Flooding
When it comes to the skin flooding treatment, the main takeaway is to use two different serums that are layered on top of each other. The first serum is a hyaluronic acid serum and the second serum contains niacinamide. There are a couple of methods when it comes to the skin flooding trends, with different TikTok influencers taking different approaches to get glowing, hydrated skin. The basic protocol is as follows:
Skin Flooding Protocol:
Cleanse using a gentle cleanser
Apply hyaluronic acid serum to damp skin
Apply niacinamide serum over top
Apply a hydrating moisturizer
Apply SPF
Some TikTok influencers switch up the routine by dampening the skin with a hydrating skin mist. Others swap the hyaluronic acid serum for a polyglutamic acid serum. The option to layer a hydrating mist in between each step can also be used. Layering is important when it comes to skin flooding. The key is to start with products that have smaller molecular formula sizes, like hyaluronic acid, panthenol and polyglutamic acid, and layer the thicker product on top (i.e. the moisturizer).
Related: TikTok Trend: Skin Icing
Skin Flooding in the Spa
Skin flooding can be used both in and out of the treatment room. Use any of your hydrating treatments that follow this plan by explaining to your client that it is a "skin flooding" treatment. Create a display in your retail area that is a skin flooding home care system, and educate your clients on proper protocol.
Skin Inc. Magazine - Feb 1st, 2023
Author: Maggie Walker