Facial sandwich: a Korean treatment that takes three minutes and improves the skin

The world of skin care and beauty is full of new terms and definitions that pique our interests. From TikTok to Reddit, there are plenty of the latest skincare buzzwords to grab our attention.

For years Korean cosmetics has positioned itself as one of the pioneering industries in terms of advances in skin care. Its cosmetics are all the rage outside its borders and now it comes to us from Korea the latest technique to keep our facial skin hydrated in summer and winter.

As we already know, high temperatures make our skin face extreme conditions and to keep it hydrated the industry beauty Korea has come up with a new technique called moisture sandwiching. Based on the Korean “3-second rule”, according to which you should apply products to your face just three seconds after washing your face, avoiding patting dry; now you'll need to make sure your skin is still moist when applying serums and moisturizers. Why? Because damp skin is much more receptive to the formulas you apply.

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This is layering skin care products in a way that locks in moisture. By applying lighter, waterier products to damp skin and then layering something heavier, the water is locked in longer, allowing for more hydration. Well, the difference here is that in a “moisture sandwich”, you can moisten your skin with a facial mist between each layer to seal in moisture for a longer period of time.< /mark>

In general terms, all the experts accept the new technique as good. Creating a last greasy layer prevents water from the epidermis from evaporating and makes care products more efficient, but may cause irritation or pimples. You can have acne-prone and dehydrated skin. In this type of skin condition, experts warn that occlusion is a very bad idea since it obstructs the exit orifice of the hair follicle and the sebaceous gland.

“It's nothing new. It is something that has been done for a long time. However, it is not suitable for all skin types. What the moisture sandwich does is concentrate moisture to enhance the action of the products. It is an occlusive treatment that in oily or acne-prone skin covers the sebaceous gland and enhances the appearance of pimples”, he said in dialogue with Infobae Claudia Sánchez, dermatologist at the Halitus Health and Aesthetics Institute.

Applying a first layer of mist or essence on the epidermis improves its permeability and makes it absorb treatments optimally. But it must be a suitable product for it. Doing it with tap water on very dry skin and in cold weather could cause the opposite effect and dehydrate it. If it is also a water with a lot of lime or highly chlorinated, we will increase the feeling of tightness. Whatever our choice, the important thing is that the skin acquires a light moisture, not that it becomes soaked.

For Adriana Raimondi, dermatologist and member of the Argentine Society of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology, "it is known by all specialists in dermatology that moist skin absorbs more nutrients and is also more easily irritated. Why? Because there are certain channels at the level of the horny layer that, when moist, are more permeable to the exchange or penetration of substances. This can be used as a treatment technique for certain conditions and is what we call the 'occlusive method', which consists of applying a medicated product and then occluding it with a film or membranes or special substances. It's the same principle that this technique uses.”

This treatment can comprehensively transform dry or dehydrated skin. Setting skin care products correctly can significantly increase the amount of water trapped in the deeper layers of the skin, so the skin remains hydrated and smooth longer. Once you are done with your “face sandwich”, you can continue with your makeup routine. You can even apply a highlighter to give your skin an extra dose of luminosity.

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