Skin Flooding? It Saved My Dry Autumn Skin!

Okay, besties, gather 'round! Let's talk about something that's completely transformed my skincare routine this autumn: skin flooding. If your skin's feeling as parched as mine does the second the central heating kicks in, you NEED to know about this. It's a lifesaver!

What IS Skin Flooding, Anyway?

Basically, it's layering hydration. Like, really layering it. Think of it as giving your skin a big ol' drink of water – several glasses, in fact! It's perfect for the transition into the colder months when the air gets drier and our skin starts to freak out. Simple as that.

My Skin Flooding Journey (aka, My Dry Skin Nightmare)

So, I've always had pretty normal skin, but come autumn and winter? Forget about it. I'm talking flaky patches, tightness, the whole shebang. Last year was particularly brutal – my makeup looked like it was sitting on top of sandpaper, not cute! I tried everything. Rich moisturisers, facial oils… I even wasted money on a super-expensive serum that did absolutely nothing. Seriously! Nothing seemed to fully quench my skin's thirst.

Then, I stumbled upon skin flooding. I saw a dermatologist talking about it on TikTok (guilty!) and thought, 'Why not?'. And let me tell you, it's been seriously brilliant.

How I Skin Flood (And You Can Too!)

Okay, here's the lowdown on my skin flooding routine. It’s super simple, I promise:

Cleanse: Start with a gentle cleanser. I'm currently loving the Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. It removes all my makeup without stripping my skin. Plus, the muslin cloth is amazing for gentle exfoliation.

Exfoliate (Optional, Once or Twice a Week): Don't overdo it, but a gentle exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and allows better absorption of the hydrating products. I've been enjoying the Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – but remember to patch test first!

Mist: This is KEY! Whilst your skin is still damp from cleansing (or exfoliating), spritz on a hydrating mist. I adore the Avene Thermal Spring Water. It's so soothing and refreshing. Just try it, you'll thank me later.

Serum Time! Now, apply a hyaluronic acid serum. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air into your skin. I swear by The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. It's super affordable and does the job perfectly. I also like the Boots No7 HydraLuminous Water Concentrate.

Moisturiser, obviously! Whilst your skin is still damp from the serum, slather on a rich moisturiser. I've been using the Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream (splurge alert!) but a great high street alternative is the CeraVe Moisturising Cream. Both are amazing for locking in all that hydration.

Occlusive (Optional, But Recommended): An occlusive creates a barrier on the skin, preventing moisture loss. I use a tiny bit of Vaseline or the La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 on top of my moisturiser, especially at night. Sounds gross, I know, but trust me, you'll wake up with the softest skin!

My Top Tips for Skin Flooding Success

* Work Quickly: The key is to apply each product whilst your skin is still damp from the previous one. This helps to lock in all that moisture.

* Don't Overdo It: You don't need to use a million different products. Focus on hydration and avoid anything too harsh or irritating.

* Listen to Your Skin: If your skin starts to feel greasy or congested, scale back the routine. Everyone's skin is different, so you might need to adjust things to suit your needs.

* Consistency is Key: Skin flooding is most effective when you do it regularly. I aim for twice a day – morning and night.

Product Recommendations (UK Edition!)

Okay, let's talk specifics. Here are some of my favourite products for skin flooding, all readily available here in the UK:

* Cleansers: Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (Boots, John Lewis), CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (Boots, Superdrug), La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser (Boots, Look Fantastic)

* Mists: Avene Thermal Spring Water (Boots, Superdrug), Caudalie Grape Water (Space NK, Cult Beauty), The Body Shop Vitamin E Hydrating Face Mist (The Body Shop)

* Serums: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic), Boots No7 HydraLuminous Water Concentrate (Boots), Paula's Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster (Space NK, Cult Beauty)

* Moisturisers: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream (Selfridges, John Lewis), CeraVe Moisturising Cream (Boots, Superdrug), Weleda Skin Food (Boots, Holland & Barrett - this is super rich!)

* Occlusives: Vaseline (Boots, Superdrug, basically everywhere!), La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 (Boots, Look Fantastic), Aquaphor Healing Ointment (Boots, Amazon UK)

Does Skin Flooding Really Work?

For me, absolutely! My skin feels so much more hydrated, plump, and healthy. The flaky patches are gone, and my makeup looks a million times better. This didn't work for me at first though! I was applying too much of the occlusive and my skin felt congested. So I scaled that back and now it's perfect. In my experience, less is more with occlusives.

I've also noticed a difference in the overall texture of my skin. It feels smoother and more even-toned. Plus, I swear my fine lines are less noticeable (bonus!).

Other Beauty Secrets!

Whilst we're chatting about skincare, have you seen my post about Gua Sha Facelift? My Honest DIY Experience!? I've been incorporating that into my routine too, and it's amazing for lymphatic drainage and de-puffing. Also, if you're struggling with a dry, itchy scalp this autumn, check out my Scalp Detox DIY? Hello, Hair Growth! post. And for a quick lip boost, my Cinnamon & Coconut Oil? My DIY Lip Plumping Secret! is a fun one!

Final Thoughts

If you're struggling with dry, dehydrated skin this autumn, I highly recommend giving skin flooding a try. It's a simple, effective, and relatively inexpensive way to boost your skin's hydration levels and achieve a healthy, glowing complexion. And hey, what have you got to lose? Let me know if you try it – I'd love to hear your results!

---

Content enhanced with AI assistance to bring you the latest beauty insights.