How Skin Cycling Works: A Night-by-Night Guide
If you're looking to achieve healthy, glowing skin, it's important to have a solid skin care routine. With a million options, products and resources, that can be difficult to establish, so allow me to introduce a guide a (trending) simple skin care routine: skin cycling.
What is Skin Cycling?
Skin cycling involves alternating between specific skincare products on different nights to achieve optimal results.
Why Skin Cycling?
This helps reduce reactions some skin (especially sensitive skin) can have to all of the ingredients and side effects of skin care products. By reducing the skin's reaction and over-stimulation, skin cycling can help with acne, pimples, dull skin, irritated skin, and so much more. It's absolutely possible that your skin is just trying to tell you that it's had enough of your current skin care routine -- it's just too much.
All that said, lets break down a simple skin cycling routine step by step. Here's how to get started with skin cycling:
Night #1: Exfoliation
Start your skin cycling routine by exfoliating on the first night. Begin by cleansing and patting dry your skin, and then use an exfoliating product (we love the Radiance Spin Brush as an alternative to harsh chemical products) to remove dead skin cells from the surface layer. This helps your other skincare products to penetrate more deeply and work more effectively. However, be careful not to overdo it with exfoliation, as it can cause redness and irritation. After exfoliating, apply a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and nourished.
Night #2: Retinoids
On the second night, focus on using retinoids, which are vitamin A derivatives that can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinoids are a powerful ingredient in any skin cycling routine, but they can be irritating if you have sensitive skin. To use them correctly, cleanse and pat dry your skin, then apply the retinoid. If your skin is still feeling dry, apply another layer of moisturizer on top of the retinoid. To avoid irritation around sensitive areas like your eyes and nose, moisturize those areas first before applying the retinoid.
Nights # 3 and 4: Recovery
Nights three and four are for recovery, where you'll give your skin a break from the exfoliating acids and retinoids to focus on repairing and nourishing your skin's microbiome and barrier. For these nights, skip exfoliating and retinoids, and instead focus on hydrating and moisturizing your skin. Use a gentle cleanser and then apply a moisturizer, leaving your skin slightly damp for optimal hydration. You can also apply a hydrating serum before your moisturizer for an extra boost -- but remember, no retinoids or harsh ingredients in that serum!
Skin Cycling for Different Skin Types
We all know that light skin, dark skin, sensitive skin, dry skin, etc. all react differently to routines and products... It's important to note that skin cycling timings could vary depending on your skin type, and a dermatologist can provide personalized recommendations. If you have sensitive or reactive skin, consider adding more recovery nights to your cycle. Conversely, if you're experienced with using retinoids, you can reduce your recovery nights and switch to a three-night cycle.
At the end of the day (ha, see what I did there), skin cycling is an effective way to improve your skin's health and appearance by alternating specific skincare products on different nights. By following this night-by-night guide you can create a customized routine that works for your unique skin needs and get the glowing, clear skin results you've been working for.