Skin Flooding: What It Is and Whether It Works
Skin flooding means layering hydrating products on damp skin and sealing them in. How it works, what the evidence says about humectants and occlusives, a step-by-step routine, and who should skip it.
Skin flooding is a viral routine where you layer water-based hydrating products onto damp skin, then seal them in with moisturizer. The short answer: there are no studies on "skin flooding" itself, but it's built on well-established advice: apply moisturizer to damp skin and use humectant and occlusive ingredients. It can help dry or dehydrated skin; it isn't an anti-aging treatment on its own.
How skin flooding works
The idea uses two types of ingredients:
| Type | What it does | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Humectants | Draw water into the skin's outer layer | Glycerin, hyaluronic acid |
| Occlusives and emollients | Slow water loss and smooth skin | Petrolatum, dimethicone, shea butter |
The AAD recommends applying moisturizer right after washing, while skin is still damp, and lists glycerin, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone, petrolatum and shea butter among helpful ingredients for dry skin (AAD: dry skin tips).
What the evidence says
- Moisturizers improve hydration: in a small controlled study, a moisturizer significantly improved skin hydration (Leshem et al., Dermatitis, 2020).
- Niacinamide supports the barrier: it raised ceramide production in lab cells and reduced water loss in people (Tanno et al., Br J Dermatol, 2000).
- Ceramide moisturizers reduced irritation alongside acne medication (Tempark et al., J Cosmet Dermatol, 2024).
We found no trials comparing skin flooding with simply applying one moisturizer to damp skin.
A step-by-step skin flooding routine
- Cleanse gently with lukewarm water (AAD: face washing 101).
- Leave skin damp, or mist it with water.
- Apply a hydrating toner or essence.
- Apply a humectant serum, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin.
- Seal with moisturizer within a minute or two.
- Morning only: finish with broad-spectrum SPF 30+ (AAD: sunscreen FAQs).
Three to four layers is plenty. More products mean more chances for irritation.
Who it suits
| Skin type | Suitable? |
|---|---|
| Dry or dehydrated | Yes |
| Sensitive | Yes, with fragrance-free products |
| Oily or acne-prone | Use light, non-comedogenic layers |
| Using retinoids or acids | Can help reduce dryness |
Skin flooding and anti-aging
Hydrated skin can look plumper and fine lines may appear softer temporarily. For lasting anti-aging, sunscreen and retinoids have far stronger evidence (Hughes et al., Ann Intern Med, 2013; Kafi et al., Arch Dermatol, 2007).
Skin flooding vs slugging
| Skin flooding | Slugging | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Layering hydrating products | A thick occlusive layer, often petrolatum, as the last step |
| Best for | Dehydrated skin | Very dry skin, overnight |
| Can combine? | Yes; flood first, then a thin occlusive layer at night |
Common mistakes
- Letting skin dry before sealing, which may leave it feeling tight
- Using fragranced toners or essences on sensitive skin
- Skipping sunscreen in the morning
Frequently asked questions
Is skin flooding good for aging skin? It helps hydration, which older, drier skin often needs, but it doesn't replace actives.
How often should I do it? Daily, morning or night, if your skin likes it.
Can I flood with just water? Water alone evaporates; you need to seal it with moisturizer.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist about your situation.
Sources
- Leshem YA et al. The effects of common over-the-counter moisturizers on skin barrier function: a randomized, observer-blind, within-patient, controlled study. Dermatitis. 2020. PubMed
- Tanno O et al. Nicotinamide increases biosynthesis of ceramides as well as other stratum corneum lipids to improve the epidermal permeability barrier. Br J Dermatol. 2000. PubMed
- Tempark T et al. Efficacy of ceramides and niacinamide-containing moisturizer versus hydrophilic cream in combination with topical anti-acne treatment. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024. PubMed
- Hughes MC et al. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013. PubMed
- Kafi R et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Arch Dermatol. 2007. PubMed
- American Academy of Dermatology. Tips to relieve dry skin; Face washing 101; Sunscreen FAQs
