Why Skin Flooding is our Favorite Viral Trend For Plump, Hydrated Skin

There’s a new viral skincare trend taking TikTok by storm: skin flooding. But unlike some of the more out-there viral trends we’ve seen, this K-beauty-inspired trend is aimed at quenching dehydrated skin. And that’s something we can get behind! But what exactly is skin flooding? And does it really deliver the plump, flawless skin of your dreams? We’re taking an in-depth look at summer’s biggest skincare trend to help you decide whether it’s right for your skin type and concerns.

What is Skin Flooding?

While we can thank TikTok for skin flooding’s catchy moniker, the actual process isn’t anything new. Skin flooding is similar to many K-beauty routines that layer hydrating and moisturizing skin products in a particular order. If this sounds similar to other recent viral trends like glazed donut skin, that’s because it is. There are two key differences:

1. Skin flooding emphasizes the importance of applying hydrating products on damp skin to amp up hydration and improve absorption
2. Skin flooding routines rely on hydrating ingredients—specifically hyaluronic acid—over layering moisturizers.

How does Skin Flooding Work?

Skin flooding pulls water into the skin by layering products containing hyaluronic acid onto damp skin. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, meaning it acts as a magnet for moisture, pulling water from the environment so it’s trapped within the skin. When you apply a hyaluronic acid formula onto damp skin, it bonds with those water molecules and pulls them into your skin as it absorbs, further boosting skin hydration.

How well does this work? Consider this: Hyaluronic acid can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water. And it not only hydrates, it pulls in extra moisture, plumping cells with water and holding it there. 

When you layer on additional products in the right order, you not only increase the amount of hyaluronic acid and water you’re adding to your skin, you’re also making it harder for that moisture to escape. The result: skin that’s plump, smooth, and balanced.

How do I Skin Flood? 

Skin flooding is gaining traction on TikTok because of its overlap with another trend: skinimalism. The idea is that when you use the right ingredients the right way, less is more. Use this easy, four-step skin flooding routine to get smooth, plump, flawless skin that lasts all day long.

Step One: Antioxidant Cleansing Oil

Start with our Squalane + Antioxidant Cleansing Oil to effortlessly dissolve impurities and makeup while adding a burst of squalane-fueled hydration. Meanwhile, nourishing antioxidants target stress and signs of aging, leaving the skin healthy and radiant.

Step Two: Hyaluronic Facial Mist

While your skin is still damp from cleansing, spritz with our Squalane + Hyaluronic Facial Mist to balance and hydrate. This award-winning formula is made with two types of hyaluronic acid to weightlessly restore hydration inside and out for complete, skin-plumping moisture protection and all-day radiance. 

Step Three: Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

Immediately follow the hydrating mist with a dropper full of our award-winning Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum. Fans of our bestselling serum call it “nature’s Botox”  for its ability to instantly plump and quenches thanks in part to the water-binding properties of ectoin. We’ve paired this powerful, protective hydrator with our rapid plumping complex to deliver instant, long-lasting hydration alongside a dramatic improvement in elasticity thanks to copper peptides. Our groundbreaking superingredient, squalane delivers skin-plumping, elasticity-boosting ingredients 40x deeper for increased and lasting efficacy.  

Step Four: Omega Repair Cream

Lock in hydration while supporting your skin’s moisture barrier with our rich, fast-absorbing Squalane + Omega Repair Cream. Our deeply nourishing moisturizer uses ceramides, beneficial lipids, and hyaluronic acid to nourish, hydrate, plump and feed your skin. Your skin will look and feel smoother, softer and more radiant with visible improvement in fine lines and wrinkles after just one week of use.