Why You Should Be Skin Flooding

The K-beauty technique that’s gone viral will give you plump, glowing skin

Call it skin flooding, slugging, glass skin or glazed donut skin (thank you Hailey Bieber) the end game is the same – gorgeously glowing, plump, and ultra-hydrated skin. Flooding the skin with moisture for a good glow has always been the Korean approach to skincare. Case in point: Chokchok skin is the highest skin goal in Korea. Chokchok means to be moist or filled with hydration and the skin finish all Koreans strive for. It’s nearly an offence to mattify your skin in Korea! Mook-gwang is another common term used in K-beauty. It’s directly translated as ‘water glow’ which also refers to skin that’s filled with hydration and looks plump and glowing. Yes please!

So, what exactly is skin flooding?

Skin flooding is TikTok’s buzzworthy new skincare trend of 2023. In its simplest form it’s all about layering moisturizing products in a specific order for longer-lasting and deeper hydration benefits.

Why is hydration so important for skin?

Alongside using an SPF, proper skin hydration is the key to truly healthy skin. Hydration does more than giving skin a lit-from-within radiance, it keeps skin plump, healthy and improves elasticity too (so long fine lines and wrinkles!). Hydrated skin is also better able to flush out environmental irritants and toxins so skin becomes more resilient and, ultimately, you get less sensitivity and irritations. Similarly, moisturising effectively supports, protects and can even restore the skin barrier and since a compromised skin barrier is often the cause of many types of skin concerns (from sensitivities to breakouts and fine lines) you’ll see a healthier complexion overall. Finally, while it may sound counterintuitive, proper hydration helps combat oiliness too. It does this by preventing skin from overproducing oil when it lacks moisture.

What skincare ingredients are best for skin flooding?

While Hyaluronic Acid is the most well-known ingredient for adding moisture to skin there are a few others that are commonly found in Korean skincare products that you should know about:

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Step 1: Start With A Hydrating Toner

TRY…

ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml

ISOI CICAGO Cica Expert Mist Toner 150ml

boosts skin’s moisture levels thanks to hydrating Mistletoe extract and Centella Asiatica.

Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist 125ml
Dear Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist 125ml box
Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist 125ml
Dear Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist 125ml box

Klairs Fundamental Ampule Mist 125ml

uses Cucumber extract and Mugwort to really lock moisture into the deepest layers of the skin.

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Step 2: Add Lightweight Layers

TRY…

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Step 3: Use An HA Serum

TRY…

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Step 4: Seal In Hydration With A Cream

TRY…

ISOI CICAGO Cica Finish Cream 50ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Finish Cream 50ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Finish Cream 50ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Finish Cream 50ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Finish Cream 50ml
ISOI CICAGO Cica Finish Cream 50ml

ISOI CICAGO Cica Finish Cream 50ml

is a lightweight silky-textured redness-reducer that’s packed with hydrating Mistletoe extract and Centella Asiatica and acts both a hydrating nighttime cream as well as the perfect daytime primer for a smooth makeup application.

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Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream box
Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream sample
Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream
Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream box
Dear Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream sample

Klairs Midnight Blue Calming Cream

works on sensitive and dry or sensitive and acne-prone skin using Guaiazulene (an extract of chamomile oil) to calm, cool and hydrate.

Feeling overwhelmed with all the layering?

Klairs Basic But Ultimate Kit (WORTH £35.4)
Klairs Basic But Ultimate Kit (WORTH £35.4)

Try this skincare kit for an easy introduction to skin flooding:

Klairs Basic But Ultimate Kit (WORTH £35.4)

features the mega hydrating Fundamental Ampule Mist – rich in Green Tea Leaf water for hydration and Trehalose to really lock moisture into skin - to be layered underneath the hyaluronic acid packed Rich Moist Soothing Cream to guarantee mega-hydrated skin and a good glow all season long.

Should I be skin flooding in the AM or PM?

The choice is yours. When skin flooding during your night time routine, it helps to restore lost moisture and prevent skin from drying out during the night, especially if you have dull or dry skin. As a part of your daytime routine, you should ensure you have enough time to massage each layer into skin thoroughly but really the beauty of Korean skincare products is that they all offer lightweight hydration, so you won’t be stuck waiting longer than a minute for your product layers to sink in. Even more? You won’t be left with any tackiness on your skin from product overload either.

How do I prep skin for skin flooding?

It’s not necessary to prep your skin before skin flooding but you can gently exfoliate first. By removing the top layer of dead skin cells and debris it will help the skin to absorb all the hydrating ingredients better. 

By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 120ml
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 120ml
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 120ml
By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 120ml

By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Skin Prep Water 120ml

especially if you have acne-prone or oily to combination skin. It’s gentle enough that it can be used daily and on sensitive skin too. But this post-cleanse water isn’t just about skin cell-sloughing. It improves pigmentation, moisturises, soothes and reduces redness thanks to Beta-Glucan and Centalla Asiatica Extract paired with super-hydrating Panthenol and Sodium Hyaluronate.

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