Moisture Sandwiching: The Latest Korean Skincare Trend You Need IYL
Another beauty buzzword to add to your vocabulary: moisture sandwich! And it may just be exactly what your skin needs.
Moisture sandwiching is a skincare technique that comes from Korea and focuses on locking in moisture for a hydrated, dewy glow. It also enables skincare products to absorb better into the skin, maximizing their benefits.
If you're looking for a way to diminish dry skin this winter, you might want to consider trying out this buzzy skincare trend you've been seeing all over TikTok.
Here's everything you need to know about the trend.
WHAT IS A MOISTURE SANDWICH?
Moisture sandwiching refers to the process of layering your skincare products to trap water in the skin, improving their absorption and reducing transepidermal water loss.
While it's a Korean beauty trend, we can thank Dieux Skin co-founder and CEO Charlotte Palermino for bringing it to our attention. On Instagram, she shared a video highlighting the benefits of dampening your skin as you layer your skin with serums and moisturizers.
"By putting lighter, more watery products on damp skin and then layering something thicker, that water gets trapped for longer, allowing for more hydrated and happy skin," Palermino explains. In the video, she also shows how she applies the moisture sandwich method to her lips -- as the technique differs depending on the area.
According to Susie Willis, founder of skincare brand Romilly Wilde, moisture sandwiching is "about the flow of each product through the steps that all support an enhanced result."
Moisture sandwiching is based on the Korean '3 second rule', which means you need to move on to the next product just three seconds after washing your face. While the skin is still damp, apply your serums and moisturisers in order to reap the benefits of your products even more.
THE BENEFITS OF MOISTURE SANDWICHING
Enhanced Hydration
Got dry, dehydrated skin? You might want to consider implementing the moisture sandwich method.
According to New York dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman, the moisture sandwich checks all the boxes if you've got dry skin. "As the skin pulls in your topical products, it also pulls in some of the water, which equals more hydration," she explains. This method also strengthens the skin barrier by decreasing the rate of water loss.
As for frequency, the derms recommend practicing this routine on a daily basis, especially if you've got dry skin. You can do it all over your body, too, for head to toe hydration. Immediately after showering, while your skin's still damp, slather on a body oil or lotion to seal extra moisture into your skin.
Improved Product Absorption
Whether you've dry skin, oily skin, or acne-prone skin, following the moisture sandwich skincare routine will improve your overall skincare experience. That's because moisture sandwiching traps moisture and helps with product penetration.
If you want your retinol serums and hyaluronic acid face creams to work their best, apply the MS skincare method. Your beauty products will work ten times harder when they're applied to damp skin.
DOES MOISTURE SANDWICHING REALLY WORK FOR ALL SKIN TYPES?
Dermatologists insist that the moisture sandwich is suitable for all skin types. However, if you are oily or acne-prone, you might want to steer clear of thick, heavy occlusives like those used in slugging, which might clog the pores and worsen breakouts and oiliness. Stick to lighter formulations to let your skin breathe and prevent clogged pores and acne.
Of course, this technique works the best for dry skin since it is extremely hydrating and effective at locking in moisture for long-lasting hydration. Sensitive skin types can also benefit from the moisture sandwich method.
HOW TO MOISTURE SANDWICH YOUR SKIN
Want to try out the trend for yourself? Here's how to moisture sandwich your face and lips.
For your face: Start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser. Pat your skin with a clean, dry towel until your face is no longer wet but slightly damp. Then go in with your toner or face mist, followed by your serum and then your moisturizer. Make sure you're always applying fresh product while your skin is still damp so it can effectively absorb into the skin.
If you have acne, be cautious around any rich creams as they can exacerbate breakouts. Stick to lightweight formulas instead.
For your lips: Dampen your mouth with lukewarm water, then apply a lightweight moisturizer followed by a thick lip balm.
"By dampening your mouth, you’re giving the moisturizer more of an opportunity to penetrate," says Palermino. "It gives humectants or water-loving ingredients (like glycerin) in the formula more to hold on to." Finally, use something occlusive like coconut oil or Vaseline to soak up all that water and maintain lasting hydration in the lips.
BEST SKINCARE PRODUCTS
Forget drugstore formulas and make these your go-to products to moisture sandwich with...
For a face and lip moisture sandwich, try Truly's Dry Skin Kit. It features a hydrating serum, face cream, face mist spritz, and lip balm formulated with water-locking ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, glycerin, soybean oil, and coconut oil for a full face of dewiness.
Those with chronically dry skin can benefit from Truly's Pineapple Haze Bundle, a 5-step restore and repair kit. The kit includes a body balm, skin salve, repair cream, lip butter, and lip polish, all designed to soothe and hydrate your skin.
Moisture sandwiching is definitely a skincare trend you'll want to try. It's actually a red carpet secret we're literally just hearing about! Just bear in mind that if you've got sensitive skin, you should avoid layering on products formulated with high concentrations of AHAs which may irritate your skin. Always look for products made with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, amino acids, and ceramides. Simply dab them on the skin while your skin's still damp, and very soon your skin will be dewy and radiant a la Hailey Bieber.
