Skin flooding is a hydration technique where you layer lightweight, water-based products onto damp skin in quick succession, then seal them with a moisturiser, to flood the skin with moisture and plump it fast. It is the K-beauty layering principle behind glass skin, repackaged as a viral trend. It works especially well for dry, dehydrated and tight skin. Here is how to do it.
In this article
- What is skin flooding?
- How to skin flood, step by step
- The best products for flooding
- Who should try it?
- Frequently asked questions
What is skin flooding?
Skin flooding is about applying hydration onto damp skin and layering thin, watery products before they dry, so each layer traps water against the skin. A humectant like hyaluronic acid pulls that water in, and a moisturiser seals it. The result is a deeply hydrated, plump, dewy finish. It is the same thinnest-to-thickest layering Korean routines have always used, just with hydration as the hero.
How to skin flood, step by step
- Cleanse gently with a hydrating, non-stripping cleanser, ideally one that leaves skin feeling soft.
- Leave skin damp. Do not fully dry your face; the residual water is what you are about to lock in.
- Layer a watery toner or essence and press it in, repeating once or twice while skin is damp.
- Add a hydrating serum such as hyaluronic acid or snail mucin.
- Seal with a moisturiser to trap all that moisture, and finish with SPF in the morning.
The best products for flooding
Flooding starts in the shower. A hydrating cleanser sets the tone by adding moisture instead of stripping it, so your damp skin begins the process already hydrated.
A hyaluronic foam that cleanses while adding moisture, the perfect first step for flooding.
Snail mucin and ginseng add hydrating, repairing layers that lock in the flood of moisture.
Who should try it?
Skin flooding is ideal for dry, dehydrated, tight or dull skin, and a lifesaver in air-conditioning, on flights or in winter. Oily skin can flood too, just choose lightweight gel textures and a lighter moisturiser to seal. The one rule that makes it work: apply onto damp skin and always finish with a seal, or the water simply evaporates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between skin flooding and the 7-skin method?
They are close cousins. The 7-skin method layers a toner up to seven times, while skin flooding layers a few different hydrating products on damp skin. Both flood the skin with moisture using the same principle.
Can oily skin try skin flooding?
Yes. Use watery, gel-based products and a light moisturiser to seal. Hydrated skin is actually less oily, because stripped skin overproduces oil.
How often should I skin flood?
You can do it daily as your normal hydrating routine, or as a boost whenever skin feels tight and dehydrated. The key is always sealing with a moisturiser at the end.
Flood your skin with moisture
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