Perhaps this is why skin cycling has taken the beauty space by storm over the past year.
What is skin cycling?
The termskin cyclingwas coined by board-certified dermatologist and mindbodygreen Collective memberWhitney Bowe, M.D., FAAD.
), using the complex products on the market takes a bit more nuance.
Skin cycling keeps it simple, and the best part is it’s highly customizable.
The following guide will show you how to rotate the “treatment” step in your routine.
On each night, cleansing and moisturizing are a mustregardless.
This just changes one step in yournightly skin care routine.
How do you start skin cycling?
Night 1: Exfoliation.
This will help your next step penetrate even deeper, she explains.
Gluconolactone, galactose, and lactobionic acid are gentle but lesser-known PHAs.
Should you mix them all?
“Don’t DIY your acid combination,” Bowe warns.
“The acids need to be formulated in a way that makes them stable together.”
Next up isretinoidnightyes, that includes over-the-counter retinol products.
Retinoids and exfoliants speed up cell turnover, but they do it in very different ways.
“Retinoids are working on the receptors,” Bowe explains.
This is why clearing away dead skin on exfoliation night is so important.
you could opt for anOTC retinolor a prescription-grade retinoid like tretinoin or Tazorac.
So which one should you choose?
“I usually start people off with over-the-counter products,” Bowe notes.
These forms are gentler on the skin and will cause significantly less irritation than their prescription-grade cousins.
Bowe recommends looking for a 0.3% retinol product if you’re just starting out.
Otherwise, start with a gentle retinol and work your way up.
This could be a night mask or a face oil.
This, in essence, is the goal of skin cycling.
Using actives like exfoliating acids and retinol once in a blue moon likely won’t deliver noticeable results.
This is the delicate teeter-totter that skin cycling can bring balance to.
From dull to radiant, congested to clear, and sensitized to healedthe results are literally glowing.
Is skin cycling right for everyone?
The classic four-night cycle “gives you a blueprint,” Bowe explains.
“I would say that most people respond beautifully to the four-night cycle,” she continues.
However, Bowe notes that customization is, in fact, “The future of skin cycling.”
Here’s what you should know.
If you haveacne-prone skinor want to focus more on firming, you could level up.
“Some people tolerate multiple retinoid nights,” she continues.
The key is to customize your cycle to your skin concerns and your goals.
Above all elselisten to your skin.
FAQ
Can you use exfoliating cleansers while skin cycling?
For those who have oily or acne-prone skin, a daily exfoliating cleanser can be beneficial.
Bowe doesn’t count these “wash-off products” as a part of your cycling routine.
Can you use face masks when skin cycling?
Can you dermaplane with skin cycling?
Dermaplaning (using a blade to shave off peach fuzz on the face) counts as physcia: exfoliation.
“If you dermaplane, then don’t put on an exfoliating acid.
Then you’re double exfoliating, and that can pose problems,” Bowe warns.
What kind of results can you expect with skin cycling?
This differs from person to person given what your routine was pre-skin cycling.
The takeaway.
If you have skin conditions like acne or eczema, consult your dermatologist before starting skin cycling.
And remember: This process is designed to be customized, so listen to your skin.
If you’re ready to put together your nightly routine from cleanser to toner to moisturizercheck out this guide.
