A Guide to Skin Flooding with Skin+ Products

If your social media feed looks anything like my clients’ lately, you’ve seen the latest trend called skin flooding—a skincare technique where you apply multiple hydrating products in a particular order onto damp skin to deliver deep hydration and longer-lasting, plump results. Think of it as giving parched skin cells a tall glass of water, then locking it in so water loss (aka moisture loss) is minimized and the skin barrier feels happy again.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to panic-buy a dozen new skincare products. If you’re already using the Skin+ line, you most likely have everything you need to tiktok - make your own skin-flooding moment at home. Below, I’ll explain the concept of skin flooding, why the beauty trend blew up, and exactly how to do it with Skin+ products, plus who benefits, how often to do it, and how to tweak it for different skin types from oily skin to very dry skin, combination skin, normal skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, and acne-prone skin.

What is skin flooding—and why all the hype?

Skin flooding layers humectants and barrier-supporting products to saturate your skin with much-needed moisture and prevent water loss from environmental stressors (think weather, air travel, indoor heating/AC). The main benefit of skin flooding is effective hydration that can create long-lasting hydration, a bouncy look, and the appearance of plump skin with fewer visible appearance of fine lines the next morning. Skincare experts and the occasional board-certified dermatologist have weighed in because, when done in the correct order, it’s an effective way to support your skin’s moisture barrier, improve skin hydration, and promote skin’s elasticity—without needing to overhaul your entire skincare routine.

Why did this new trend explode? Because it’s a great way to get results with the right products you already own, and it fits perfectly into skincare trends that champion barrier health, skin cycling, and pausing active ingredients when you’re feeling depleted. It’s a good reason to slow down your skin care routine for a night and focus on comfort.

 

Who should try skin flooding?

• Dehydrated skin or dull skin that needs a glow-up and dewy skin finish
• Sensitive skin or skin recovering from overuse of active ingredients (like exfoliating acids or vitamin c)
• Acne-prone skin needing hydration without heavy occlusion (we’ll talk oil control below)
• Mature skin seeking longer-lasting hydration and bounce
• Very dry skin that wants extra cushion

Is there such thing as too much moisture? If you stack too many heavy occlusives, you can trap excess oil and feel greasy. The trick is matching layers to your skin types and finishing with the thickest consistency your skin can comfortably handle.

 

Skin flooding with Skin+: the step-by-step (and why it works)

Use this when you want a boost of hydration or you’ve over exfoliated and need a break from active ingredients. I would not do this treatment daily—reserve it for nights you need a reset.

 

1) First step: Cleanse gently

Product: Pro B5 Wash
Why: Start with a gentle cleanser that removes the day without stripping the skin barrier. Clean skin allows every subsequent layer to penetrate better—this is the first layer of your flood.

2) On damp skin: Hydrating toner

Product: Aloe H2O Water Toner
Why: Apply while skin is still skin damp (not dripping). This toner brings aloe vera’s soothing properties and lightweight hydration—think of it as priming the surface for hydrating serums. A hydrating toner boosts water retention and tees up best results from what comes next. If you love a facial mist/face mist, you can spritz again between layers as a hydrating mist.

3) Humectant gel: niacinamide + hyaluronic

Product: HylaVera
Why: This is your water magnet step. HylaVera contains hyaluronic (a humectant) and niacinamide (hello, niacinamide serum benefits), making it a perfect centerpiece for skin flooding. If you’re the “measure by drops” type, think “drops of hyaluronic acid serum” vibes—HylaVera delivers the function of a pure hyaluronic acid serum/hyaluronic serums plus barrier-friendly support. This step helps soften dull skin, improve skin tone, and reduce the look of dark spots when paired consistently with sunscreen (save vitamin c for non-flooding mornings or another night in your skincare routine).

4) Lightweight peptide-rich hydration

Product: Renew 99
Why: This rich serum, lightweight in feel, rich in active layers, beautifully over HylaVera for effective hydration with peptides that support the skin barrier and visible firmness. It’s a smart middle layer that adds cushion without weight—ideal for combination skin, normal skin, and oily skin that still need hydration but not heaviness.

5) Seal it in: barrier-loving moisturizer

Product: NourishRX
Why: Finish with the product that has the thickest consistency in your lineup to trap all that water in place—this is where layers of moisturizers matter. NourishRX uses skin-friendly lipids and fatty acids to reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier and reduce water loss. For very dry skin, you can dot a tiny amount of petroleum jelly on wind-burned areas. If you’re acne-prone skin, skip heavy occlusives and keep this step minimal for oil control.

 

How often should I skin flood?

Use it as needed—after travel, during dry seasons, or when your face says “Help!” because you tried double cleansing, too many actives, or a stack of sheet masks. If you’re following a skin cycling plan, make “flood night” your recovery night. Again, I would not do this treatment daily; a few evenings a week or as a reset is the best way to keep the benefits of skin flooding without overwhelming the skin.

 

Customizing for different skin types

• Oily skin / combination skin: Keep layers thin. Apply a smaller amount of HylaVera, then Renew 99, and finish with a light veil of NourishRX only where you need it. This helps balance excess oil while preserving hydration.
• Acne-prone skin: Hydration supports your barrier and can actually reduce reactive oiliness—just avoid heavy occlusives. Skin flooding gives an effective way to hydrate while you pause active ingredients on recovery nights.
• Sensitive skin: You’re the poster child for flood nights. Prioritize the Aloe H2O Water Toner, HylaVera, and NourishRX for comfort and barrier care.
• Very dry skin / mature skin: Consider a second spritz of hydrating mist between steps and a touch more NourishRX for long-lasting hydration and bounce.

Where do vitamin C and other actives fit?

Skin flooding nights are for comfort and replenishment. Save vitamin c (brightening), retinoids, and exfoliating acids for separate nights. Rotating gives your barrier a new spin on balance and prevents irritation. If you’re unsure, consult expert advice from your esthetician for a tailored plan.

 

Do I need thick cream or shea butter?

A thick cream can be wonderful for very dry skin, but heavy butters like shea butter are pore-clogging ingredients for some people—especially those with acne-prone skin. NourishRX is designed to moisturize without common culprits. Always check your products for pore-clogging ingredients with our online checker.

 

Product swaps & FAQs

• “Can I use a pure hyaluronic acid serum instead of HylaVera?”
  You can, but HylaVera is already a beautifully balanced humectant/niacinamide serum with soothing aloe components—fewer bottles, same “flood.”
• “Can I add a sheet mask?”
  You can, but you don’t need to. Our layered hydrating products already deliver deep hydration.
• “I saw someone add facial oil first.”
  In flooding, occlusives go last. Oil first can block water-binding steps. Keep your occlusive for the end—the correct order matters.
• “Will this help dark spots and skin tone?”
  Indirectly, yes—healthy, hydrated skin looks smoother and more radiant. Pair with vitamin c (morning), SPF, and consistent care for visible improvement in skin tone and dark spots over time.

Safety notes for acne-prone and sensitive friends

Hydration ≠ heaviness. Avoid over-occluding, which can trap heat and oil. If you’re easily congested, keep the finish light and scan your products for pore-clogging ingredients  to keep your barrier happy while maintaining oil control.

 

Pore-Clogging Watchlist (quick check before you flood)

Before you follow any skincare routine you see on social media, run your products through our Skin+ Ingredients Checker. It flags common culprits (like shea butter, certain algae extracts, heavy esters, etc.). Use it to sanity-check any routine you try—especially if you’re acne-prone skin or easily congested.

Check your products here: https://skinplus.com/pages/ingredients-checker

(We maintain a comprehensive list so you can stick with the best products for your skin goals and skip the guesswork.)

 

The take-home: why skin flooding works—and when to do it

Skin flooding isn’t magic; it’s smart layering. Humectants (like hyaluronic) bring water retention, toners on damp skin amplify the surge, layers of moisturizers seal the deal, and lipid support fights environmental stressors and moisture loss. With Skin+, the right products are already in your cabinet:

1. Pro B5 Wash (first step)
2. Aloe H2O Water Toner on damp skin
3. HylaVera (your humectant/niacinamide serum)
4. Renew 99 (supportive serum layer)
5. NourishRX (barrier-locking finish)

Purchase the Full Skin Flooding Routine Here!

Use this routine when you need effective hydration, a reset from active ingredients, or a recovery night in your skin care routine. It’s the best way to get a dewy skin glow and feel-good comfort without chasing every new trend on social media.

If you want a simple mantra, try: “Tone wet, add humectant, add supportive serum, seal the splash.” That’s skin flooding in a nutshell—and with Skin+, you’ve already got the toolkit for best results.