TikTok is full of users raving about “skin flooding”– the latest trend to captivate the social platform. A dermatologist has now explained the process of skin flooding, and whether it does provide the skin with the purported benefits.
The term skin flooding may have originated on TikTok, but the skincare routine is quite commonly known in the dermatology field. The process is actually not that complex and requires only adding a cosmetic ingredient called hyaluronic acid to a skincare routine to lock in the moisture in the skin. The trend has especially become popular right now due to the prevalence of dry, flaky skin in winter.
“Skin flooding is a popular trend where the skin is given an intense hydration treatment,” Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and an associate professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, told BusinessInsider.
The trend involves applying hyaluronic acid after washing the face with a gentle cleanser and before applying moisturizer. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which helps the skin absorb more moisture, according to MindBodyGreen.
“Think of hyaluronic acid like a sponge that grabs onto water,” Zeichner explained. “To really activate it, you’ll want to make sure there’s some moisture on your face already. If you apply it to skin that’s already damp or with damp fingertips, you give the hyaluronic acid the water it needs to hydrate the skin.”
Alternatively, one can also lightly spray the skin with water before applying the acid.
Zeichner added that it’s “important to apply a traditional moisturizer on top of the serum to lock in hydration.” When done in the morning, skin flooding should be topped off with sunscreen.
According to the expert, skin flooding can be performed daily, and is suitable for all skin types. Nevertheless, people with acne-prone skin should know that “heavy, occlusive products can block the pores and lead to breakouts.” The expert recommends starting the process with an oil-free cleanser to prevent breakouts.
If a person does experience breakouts as a result of skin flooding, reducing the frequency of the procedure to a weekly routine might help.
To sum it up, skin flooding is not another TikTok fad and has some proven benefits.
While dry skin is common in winter, there are some skin conditions that can develop or worsen during colder temperatures. Three such skin problems are eczema, chilblains, and Raynaud’s phenomenon.
“All are conditions that can be irritating and uncomfortable, and some are harder to treat than others. So, it’s helpful to know when to manage these conditions on your own and when to see a dermatologist,” Sonal Choudhary, assistant professor of Dermatology and Dermatopathology, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences and Jeffrey Chen, Medical Student, University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences wrote.