In the world of beauty, trends come and go faster than we can swipe on our serums. But every now and then, a practice surfaces that feels less like a fleeting moment and more like a revival of something timeless. Enter skin flooding—the latest buzzword among skincare enthusiasts that, truth be told, has roots in ancient beauty rituals. At The Botanyst, where we focus on aligning mind, body, and spirit, skin flooding feels like the perfect blend of modern science and age-old wisdom.

This trend is about more than achieving the dewy glow that’s gracing social media feeds. It’s a reawakening of practices that queens like Cleopatra embraced, where locking in moisture with natural oils was the ultimate way to maintain radiance. Let’s take a journey through this ancient-meets-modern ritual and see how you can flood your skin with the hydration it craves—while keeping it simple, luxurious, and effective.

What Exactly Is Skin Flooding?

Let’s talk basics. Skin flooding is all about one key element: hydration layering. The technique starts with water-based serums that draw moisture deep into the skin, followed by creams and oils that seal in that hydration, preventing transepidermal water loss (TEWL). It’s a practice that reflects our understanding of how the skin’s barrier works, giving it everything it needs to stay plump, hydrated, and luminous.

But here’s the thing: while the name may be fresh, the concept isn’t. Ancient civilizations—from the Egyptians to the Greeks—were all about locking in hydration with luxurious oils, long before we started reading labels or obsessing over hyaluronic acid percentages. Skin flooding takes these historical beauty secrets and translates them into today’s skincare routines, helping us achieve glow-worthy results while honoring the skin’s natural processes.

The History of Body Oils: From Cleopatra to Now

When we think of beauty icons, Cleopatra is always top of the list. Her famed beauty rituals weren’t just elaborate—they were highly functional, especially in Egypt’s harsh climate. Rose oil, a staple in her routine, was used not just for its intoxicating scent but for its powerful antioxidant properties. Today, we know that rose oil is rich in vitamin C, protecting the skin from environmental stressors and promoting collagen production. Add to that her use of almond oil, which is still celebrated today for its ability to deeply hydrate and soften skin, and you see why Cleopatra was the OG of skin flooding.

Fast forward to ancient Greece, where Hippocrates—the father of medicine—was a major advocate for using olive oil in both health and beauty. Olive oil is rich in squalene, a compound that mirrors the skin’s natural oils and keeps it balanced and hydrated. Greeks weren’t just using it for its moisturizing properties; they understood that it fortified the skin, making it resilient and glowing.

And then there’s Nefertiti, whose beauty was so legendary that her name itself became synonymous with radiance. Nefertiti was all about myrrh and frankincense oils, both of which we now know are loaded with anti-inflammatoryand antioxidant properties. These oils not only soothed her skin but also played a role in keeping it luminous and youthful, protecting her from the dry, arid climate of ancient Egypt.

Why Body Oils are Still Essential for Skin Flooding Today

In today’s world of skincare, oils are having a major moment—and for good reason. While ancient queens relied on oils to hydrate and protect their skin, modern science backs up their effectiveness. Oils serve as the final, critical step in skin flooding, locking in moisture and preventing dehydration. At The Botanyst, we take pride in using single-origin, natural oils that are as pure as they are potent.

Here’s how it works: after applying your favorite water-based serum (hello, hyaluronic acid), you follow with a body or face oil to create a protective barrier on the skin. This barrier prevents the water from evaporating and keeps the skin plump and hydrated all day long. Think of it as the ultimate top coat to your skincare routine—a finishing touch that seals in all the goodness while adding a natural glow.

At The Botanyst, our oils are crafted to multitask. Whether it’s The Botanyst Repairative Body Oil with its antioxidant-rich formula or The Botanyst Nutritive Oil to calm and nourish, we believe in keeping it simple but deeply effective. Each oil works in harmony with your skin, elevating the modern skin flooding routine into something that feels indulgent and intentional.

Skin Flooding With The Botanyst

We love the idea that skincare isn’t just about quick fixes or the latest fad—it’s about rituals that honor both the past and the present. The revival of skin flooding is exactly that: a nod to the simplicity of ancient beauty routines combined with the modern understanding of skincare science.

The Botanyst’s Slow Beauty Ritual: Unlocking Hydration with Scientifically Proven Botanicals

Whether you're new to the idea of skin flooding or you’ve been layering oils for years, there is no time like the present to refine your routine. At The Botanyst, our formulation philosophy honors both ancient beauty traditions and the latest in skincare science. Let’s flood our skin with hydration and seal it in with nature’s best ingredients—just as queens and healers have done for centuries.

Ready to flood your skin with our barrier fortifying formulations?