Moisture Sandwich: The Cool New Trend That Promises Healthy, Glowy Skin

Another day, another beauty buzzword to add to your vocabulary. But we promise, ‘moisture sandwiching’ might just be the most low-fuss, high-performance technique you can add to your skincare routine.

We talk a lot about ‘locking in’ moisture to our skin, but what about actually ‘sandwiching’ it in there? Sounds pretty satisfying, right? Skincare obsessives have been singing praises about creating moisture sandwiches to hydrate, brighten, and protect your skin – and basically get that Hailey Bieber-Esque glow. If your interest is piqued too, DW as we’ve got you everything you need to know about moisture sandwiching, below.

What Is A Moisture Sandwich?

Based on the Korean ‘3-second rule’, the technique entails moving on to your products just 3 seconds after washing your face, avoiding patting it dry – it ensures that your skin is still damp and wet when you apply your serums and moisturisers.

A moisture sandwich refers to dampening your skin, applying a humectant-based product and then applying occlusive blam. The technique is designed to ensure enough water gets into the skin and none of it gets out. By putting lighter, more watery products on damp skin and then layering something thicker, the water gets trapped for longer, which allows for more bouncy, dewy, and hydrated skin.

Here’s How You Can Add It To Your Routine

Spritz on a face mist first. Alternatively, you can simply leave your skin damp from your cleanse. You can use google old tap water, no problem, though some like to spray their face with a skincare mist as an extra enjoyable step. Then, apply a hyaluronic acid serum or glycerin serum to pull in all the goodness. Some like to spritz a second layer on top too, and then layer a moisturiser over it followed by a balm or oil. This process works for dry limbs too. Start with damp skin, straight out of the shower, and then apply a hyaluronic or glycerine based serum. You can follow it with a moisturiser and oil to lock it all in.

How Do I ‘Moisture Sandwich’ My Skin With Active Ingredients?

Avoid doing it with retinol, exfoliating acid, or anything that can be irritating. Also, some people like to apply Vaseline as the occlusive step in the method known as slugging. This works for people who have dry and dehydration that is not prone to acne. For folks with oily skin, you may want to avoid petroleum jelly as it can trap sebum, dead skin, and bacteria and triggers breakouts.

For those with acne-prone skin, a traditional moisture sandwich with AHAs, niacinamide, and vitamin C may not work on damp skin. But if you wish to add retinol, it’s best to apply a moisturiser first, and then dab on a topical retinoid, followed by another layer of moisturiser. This will reduce the chances of dryness and irritation.