Since my teenage years, I’ve dealt with various types of acne. From minor pimples that would appear and mess up picture day to severe hormonal acne that resulted in dark spots and pigmentation, I’ve spent many years attempting to fix my skin issues.
Of course, my ongoing struggle with my skin has made me somewhat of a skincare fanatic. I’m always looking for the most effective method to bring my skin back to its clear, blemish-free days or at least calm any irritation caused by using one active ingredient after another. Recently, this quest has led me to discover a method known as skin flooding.
A brief examination of the trendon TikTokwill showcase numerous creators striving for smooth, non-textured skin by adding several moisturizing products (primarily toners) to their skincare regimens. However,Lauren Jamieson, MBChB, MRCGP, Medical Director at HydroPeptide, stated that the same outcomes can be obtained by concentrating on incorporating hydration at each stage of your skincare regimen.
I have mixed skin, so on any particular day, it can vary from being oily in my T-zone to feeling tight and dry in other areas. I thought using several moisturizing products at once would be beneficial. After trying a skin flooding routine for five days, here’s what I’ve discovered.
What is skin flooding?
“Skin flooding is a methodical way to rapidly boost skin moisture,” explains Dr. Jamieson. She points out that it is especially helpful during the winter season when the skin tends to be dry and lacking in hydration.
Skin flooding can enhance hydration and restore the skin’s barrier, minimizing reactivity and discomfort,” she explains, noting that a skin flooding regimen may include a mild cleanser, a hydrating toner (ideally a mist), a hydrating serum, a rich moisturizer, and an optional oil to seal in moisture. “Using a toner, particularly a spray (which simplifies application), can enhance how well products are absorbed by the skin, resulting in hydrated skin that appears full, smooth, and soft with an improved texture,” Dr. Jamieson adds. “This leads to a radiant glow and a great base for makeup.
What is the sequence of skin flooding?
To achieve optimal outcomes from skin flooding, Dr. Jamieson suggests following five steps (with the fifth one being optional):
- Cleanse:A mild, cream-formulated cleanser is recommended for removing dirt, environmental pollutants, and other contaminants from the skin, while also helping to soften the outer layer.
- MistA moisturizing toner needs to be used next to even out and hydrate the skin.
- SerumA lightweight, water-based serum should be applied to attract and maintain hydration. Dr. Jamieson suggests that a hyaluronic acid serum is best for this stage.
- Moisturize:A rich moisturizer helps retain moisture.
- Oil:An optional last step is to apply a facial oil over the moisturizer.
Which items are recommended for skin hydration?
Dr. Jamieson highlighted that mild and moisturizing products are ideal for this style. Our specialists at theGood Housekeeping InstituteBeauty Lab commented on productsthey would suggest skin treatments that are suitable for most skin types:
✔️ Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser”A winner in our facial cleanser research and a staple in the lab, this well-established formula leaves the skin feeling clean without removing natural oils or causing excessive dryness,” says Beauty Lab Senior Chemist.Danusia WnekAlthough it is promoted for normal to oily skin, it performed well with those who have sensitive skin, and we suggest it for all skin types.
✔️ Niod Superoxide Dismutase Sugar Mist: Beauty Lab Director Sabina WizemannCurrently incorporates this into her personal skincare regimen. “Thanks to the formula’s ability to retain water through polysaccharides, it provides hydration and helps maintain moisture, decreasing the roughness of my skin and giving it a more voluminous, supple, and revitalized look,” she notes. “Additionally, it allows my serum to spread easily across my skin.”
✔️ Mary Kay Clinical Solutions HA + Ceramide Moisturizer: As per the Lab, this serum, which also holds a Good Housekeeping Seal, excels in hydration. It includes ceramides and hyaluronic acid, and research indicates it can noticeably moisturize the skin within 15 minutes of one use.
✔️ Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream featuring SqualaneA winner in our laboratory’s face moisturizer study, Kiehl’s demonstrated a 47% improvement in skin moisture after six hours. “Participants observed that it makes the skin feel full and smooth with a pleasant consistency,” Wnek mentioned.
✔️ Furtuna Skin Biphase Moisturizing OilThis facial oil won a GHBeauty Awardand was even favored by testers who usually don’t use facial oils. “The two-phase formula gives it a lightweight, serum-like texture so it doesn’t stay on the face for too long before absorbing,” a tester noted.
If you don’t have these particular items available, you can opt for comparable alternatives that havehydrating ingredients”Effective moisturizing components include hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and occlusives such as petrolatum and shea butter to lock in moisture,” Wnek stated.
Remember that skin flooding may not be suitable for everyone. “Those with oily and acne-prone skin should exercise caution with this method and avoid excessive hydration,” advises Dr. Jamieson.
My time with skin flooding
Usually, my combination skin feels soft and moisturized right after washing and applying moisturizer, but by the end of the day (after wearing sunscreen and makeup for a long time), my skin can become tight and dry. So, I was eager to see how this new routine would make a difference in my skin’s condition.
On the first day, I used Clearstem’sGentleclean Hydrating Barrier Cleanser, Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream Mist, Cellrenew Serum, and Clearstem Hydraglow MoisturizerIn the morning, I used sunscreen afterward. By the end of my workday, I could already sense a change in my skin. I observed that I wasn’t feeling any tightness, and my skin felt softer when I touched it. I still had a few breakouts, but I didn’t expect this to eliminate my acne, rather to ease irritation and enhance the texture. That evening, I followed the same routine before going to sleep, without the sunscreen.
The following morning, I observed that my blemishes from the previous day had reduced in size and looked much less inflamed. Still, I’m not certain this change was entirely due to the hydrating skincare regimen, since I had only been using it for a single day by then.
I maintained the same daily routine for the following three days, using the mild cleanser, then spritzing the mist onto my damp skin, followed by the serum and moisturizer. My early assumptions proved to be correct. Each day, my skin felt softer, more flexible, and looked smoother. However, I noticed that on hot and humid days, my skin tended to feel slightly sticky due to the extra moisture.
Overall, I would suggest giving this approach a try for skin that is prone to acne. It didn’t fully eliminate my breakouts or enhance my dark spots, but it did result in skin that felt more moisturized, and I noticed that my makeup appeared slightly better. My skin felt less irritated overall and maintained its moisture throughout the day without requiring me to reapply a hydrating mist, which I believe could be beneficial in the long term for preventing acne. This method will definitely become my preferred routine during the winter season to lock in moisture and keep my skin soft and smooth despite the dry conditions.
