Skin Flooding: The Science Behind the Latest Skincare Trend
“Skin flooding,” the latest viral social media trend focused on intense hydration, has piqued the interest of many, leaving them questioning its effectiveness. This trend gained prominence during the winter months, given the drying effect that winter weather can have on the skin. In this blog, CellDerma delves into everything you need to know about this increasingly popular TikTok trend, from how it works to how you can benefit from it.
Understanding Skin Flooding
Skin flooding involves layering multiple skincare products onto damp skin to lock in moisture, resulting in a smoother and softer appearance. Unlike traditional skincare routines that involve waiting for product absorption, skin flooding requires the immediate application of the next product while the skin is still wet or damp. Typically, the skin flooding process includes a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer. The idea is to create a ‘flood’ of hydration by layering your most moisturising products from thinnest to thickest, pulling moisture into the deepest layers of your skin.
The Process
Begin your routine, as usual, with a thorough cleanse of your skin. For this, we recommend using our CellDerma Hydraclean, which is suitable for all skin types and leaves the skin balanced and free from harsh surfactants or harmful chemicals.
Step 1: Cleanse and Exfoliate
Begin your routine, as usual, with a thorough cleanse of your skin. For this, we recommend using our CellDerma Hydraclean, which is suitable for all skin types and leaves the skin balanced and free from harsh surfactants or harmful chemicals.
- A vital step for removing impurities, excess oils, and dead skin cells.
- Remember: Use warm water – hot water will dry out your skin.
Step 2: Serums
Next, apply serums in order from lightest to thickest consistency for maximum absorption. Ensuring you include products that contain hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a key component in skin flooding, as it is a moisture magnet that holds up to 1000x its weight in water, giving your skin a surge in hydration and moisture.
For this step, we recommend our Vitamin C Complex. While you can make use of more than one serum in the skin flooding technique, our Vitamin C Complex is a fantastic all-rounder and will be all you need in your skin flooding regime. Our lightweight, non-tacky serum features a powerful trio of highly stable forms of vitamin C to increase hydration and improve overall brightness and appearance of the skin. Also based in a hyaluronic acid medium for enhanced penetration of active ingredients and optimal hydration.
Step 3: Cream
Finally, lock in hydration by applying your moisturiser or cream, such as CellDerma Stress Defence Cream. This non-comedogenic hydration cream features hydrators like squalane, jojoba oil, apricot oil, and essential hyaluronic acid, perfect for locking in moisture and leaving the driest of skins feeling refreshed and hydrated.
When Should You Skin Flood:
The skin flooding technique can be effective at any time of day. However, skin flooding at night, as part of a bedtime skincare routine when moisture loss is prevalent, enables the skin to absorb layers of hydration without interruption during sleep. By flooding your skin with hydration half an hour to an hour before sleep, allowing the body’s natural restoration processes to repair and renew skin cells, you wake up to a revitalized and radiant complexion. If you have ultra-dry skin, you can also “flood” the skin during a morning routine, incorporating a lightweight hydrating SPF, such as our Ultralight Mineral SPF, for added protection.
Conclusion
Dr Dev Patel says “We have to be careful with trends that go viral but overall skin flooding emerges as a promising technique for those who want to focus on hydration and for those looking to give their skin a moisture boost.”
Always remember to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional before starting any new skincare product, especially if you have specific skin concerns or conditions.
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