- Skin cycling benefits your skin by enhancing results from active ingredients without stripping the skin barrier.
- It involves a structured, four-night routine (exfoliate, retinoid, recovery, recovery) that gives your skin enough time to repair and strengthen itself.
- This method is easy to follow, beginner-friendly, and customizable for different skin types.
Social media is strewn with skincare trends that are either seriously odd or surprisingly genius. From slathering your face with beef tallow to slugging with petroleum jelly, it can be hard to tell what’s dermatologically sound and what’s just pure digital hype. But every once in a while, a trend comes along that actually works. Skin cycling is one of them. This method was popularized by Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist from New York, so it’s no surprise it has taken off so quickly. Read on to learn about the benefits of this skincare hack and how to build a personalized skin cycling routine for yourself.
What is Skin Cycling?
If you’ve ever gone all-in with a bunch of different serums and exfoliants only to end up with dry and irritated skin, you’re not alone. Most skincare enthusiasts have likely experienced this same phenomenon, not realizing that overloading their skin with too many active ingredients at once strips away their moisture barrier and prevents their skin from fully healing. That’s why alternating your skincare is such a game-changer. Skin cycling is a four-night skincare regimen that alternates between using an exfoliant and a retinoid on the first two days, followed by two rest days to allow your skin ample time to recover.
Is Skin Cycling Routine Effective?
Cycling your skincare is undoubtedly one of the smartest approaches for maximizing the benefits of your active ingredients, especially if you’re just starting out. By rotating actives with recovery nights, you give your skin enough breaks to build up tolerance, reduce redness and irritation, and minimize the risk of damaging your barrier through over-exfoliation. This is a dermatologically proven method of achieving glowing skin at home! See what a typical skin cycling regimen looks like below!
Night One: Exfoliate
Start your routine with a cleanser, followed by an exfoliant. Regular exfoliation is essential for removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores, which not only prevents acne but also helps skincare products penetrate the skin more effectively. Exfoliation also improves blood circulation and boosts the production of collagen, the protein responsible for your skin’s tight, youthful appearance. You won’t see results on day one, but over time, you’ll notice your skin becoming clearer, less textured, and more glowy.
What’s the ideal way to exfoliate? A chemical exfoliant or a creamy scrub with tiny exfoliating beads. Anything else can be too abrasive if you’re not careful. If you have pre-existing skin conditions like rosacea and eczema, gentle moisturizing exfoliants are always a better pick for skin cycling than serums, as they buffer the effects of the active ingredient with nourishing ingredients.
Night Two: Apply Retinoid
Retinol is known as the best anti-aging ingredient because it increases cell turnover (i.e, the rate at which your cells regenerate) and supports rapid collagen production. If you’re in your mid-to-late twenties, you’ll want to incorporate a retinol serum into your skincare skin cycling routine to combat fine lines. Retinol is also an exfoliant, so it helps with hyperpigmentation, skin texture, and clogged pores. Have sensitive skin? Apply a soothing face cream—preferably with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, cica, or ceramide—before retinol. Wait 20-30 minutes after applying the retinol, then follow up with another layer of moisturizer to minimize irritation. This is known as the “Sandwich method”.
Night Three & Four: Hydrate & Repair
Nights 3 and 4 of skin cycling are all about hydration and repair, and where the skin cycling benefits really come into action. Exfoliants and retinoids can be harsh on your moisture barrier, so treat yourself to some soothing CBD skincare on these days. CBD is a cannabinoid derived from the hemp plant known for its calming, anti-inflammatory properties. It will give your skin the right support to repair itself before the next round of actives. Look for a cooling hemp-infused eye cream to prevent dark circles, a revitalizing CBD face wash, a brightening toner, and an intensive repair moisturizer. These products can also be used on days 1 and 2 to keep your skin replenished. Finish off your routine with a deep-nourishing oil to seal in everything. Just be mindful of how many products you’re using at once!
Should You Try Skin Cycling?
If you’ve been struggling to build an effective skincare regimen, this structured, four-night skin cycling routine might just be for you. It’s a well-balanced technique based on real science that prioritizes strengthening the skin barrier as much as it does exfoliation.
However, if sensitivity has been a problem for you in the past or if you have a skin condition, start slow with just one active ingredient at first to see how your skin reacts. It’s always recommended that you talk to your dermatologist first before adding any new products. A good skincare practice is to introduce one new product at a time, allowing you to determine how your skin tolerates it before adding another product to the mix.
Final Thoughts
Now you know what skin cycling is—the best way to simplify your routine and still glow like you have a 10-step regimen. Skin cycling benefits you by putting less stress on you and your body’s repairing abilities, making it easier to stay consistent while avoiding irritation. So if there’s one trend worth trying, it’s this one.
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