Skin Flooding Explained: 5 Steps Guide To Sport The Dewy Radiance

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Only moisturizer is not enough! No matter how devotedly you apply the nourishing cream, your skin can still appear dull or parched. The solution? Skin flooding can work wonders to bring back the dew and glow it needs, just like a plant requires water! This trending skincare method has caught the attention of social media and dermatologists for all good reasons!

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Read on as we decode this skin-pampering method to get you the most out of this hydration-boosting ritual!

What Is Skin Flooding?

Skin flooding includes applications of multiple hydrating layers in set orders to deeply hydrate your skin's moisture obstructions. Consider it as boosting your skin with water-infused ingredients like glycerine, hyaluronic acid, and soothing toners prior to locking everything in using a nourishing oil or moisturizer.

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The prime motive here is not to flood the skin with rich creams but instead to add lightweight layers that penetrate the skin easily.

Step 1 - Begin With Damp Skin

Moisture is the key to flooding your skin with essential hydration. So ideally the ritual should begin after face wash when the skin is still damp and not dripping wet. This allows for moisturizing products to absorb and humectants to pull water into the skin well.

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Prefer a non-stripping, gentle cleanser that doesn't dry out the skin. Also, avoid formulas containing sulphates and choose a cream or gel-based cleanser instead!

Step 2 - Apply A Hydrating Essence

Post-cleansing, pat on a hydrating essence or toner infused with skin-loving solutions. These elements add a soothing sensation to the skin while providing the initial layer of hydration.

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Skip toners with astringents or alcohol as they can strip the skin and reduce the purpose of skin hydration. Use your fingers to gently press the solutions into the skin. This ensures product wastage and better absorption!

Step 3 - Layer With Humectant Serum

This is the crucial step of skin flooding. Apply a humectant-loaded serum which essentially draws the water into the skin. Apply when your skin feels moist starting at the toner application.

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Ensure not to dry out the skin to form a moisture sandwich and trap hydration effectively. Apply while the skin is still damp post the toner step. Don't wait for it till your face dry.

This forms the moisture barrier and traps the hydration serum. Prefer the lotion with a thicker consistency and one with less-molecular hyaluronic acid!

Step 4 - Seal With A Moisturizer

Once your skin is well hydrated, it's time to use a cream that contains emollients and occlusives to seal the deal. Trans epidermal water loss can be avoided in this stage, guaranteeing that 100% of the hydration remains in place.

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Select a thickness that works for your skin type; heavier creams are better for fragile or mature skin, while gel cream is better for oily skin. If you have extremely dry skin, you can also apply a face oil. Apply a few drops on top of your moisturizer to further strengthen the barrier.

Step 5 - Finish With Nighttime Slugging

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Perform slugging that includes placing a tiny amount of occlusive, such as a nourishing balm or petroleum jelly, on top of your skin to trap in moisture overnight, if the skin still feels dry post-skin flooding. For extremely dry skin or during the winter months, this combination is a miracle!

Photos Credit: @freepik