‘Moisture sandwiching’ is the latest skincare trend that promises your healthiest, glowiest complexion yet

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 routine.

We talk a lot about ‘locking in’ moisture to our skin, but what about actually ‘sandwiching’ it in there? Sounds pretty satisfying, right? And with winter skin incoming, we’ll do anything to avoid dry skin and get that hydrated, Hailey Bieber-esque glow.

Enter ‘moisture sandwiching’ – yet another genius skincare technique that comes from Korea – which essentially means that you apply your products while your skin is damp, in order to allow the ingredients to absorb much more effectively.

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

Damp skin is much more receptive, meaning you will reap the benefits of your products even more – plus, it means less towel washing, right?

What does ‘moisture sandwiching’ actually do?

Susie Willis, founder of ultra-luxe (and ultra-popular) skincare brand Romilly Wilde, tells us that the premise of moisture sandwiching is exactly how she would advise anyone to approach their skincare routine.

“It’s about the flow of each product through the steps that all support an enhanced result,” she says.

“It is about locking-in moisture and allowing actives to be deeply absorbed. We always recommend that your skin is damp from your first cleanse prior to moving through your active and hydrating products. This locks moisture in the skin and helps to sandwich in all the accumulative benefits of the formulations, ensuring full absorbency and metabolic regeneration.”

How do I ‘moisture sandwich’ my skin?

Luckily, it’s a pretty easy process – you simply leave your skin damp from your cleanse, before adding the products in the rest of your routine. 

You can use good old tap water, no problem, though some like to spray their face with a skincare mist as an extra enjoyable step – one that’s recommended by skinfluencer Caroline Hirons, no less.

Is there anyone that should avoid ‘moisture sandwiching’?

Generally it’s a pretty safe method, but it shouldn’t be used with retinol products or anything that causes irritation to your skin – because it will amp up those effects.

Proceed with caution if you’re oily, too, as anything that will increase your moisturiser’s effects on your skin could be overpowering.