Revive Your Radiance: The Skin Cycling Solution

While many TikTok videos claim to make your life better by cleansing your skin in a different way or wearing different colors of clothes to match your face better, this TikTok trend is actually dermatologist-approved.

Skin cycling, a popular beauty trend on TikTok with over 3.5 billion views, is gaining traction among skincare enthusiasts.

What is Skin Cycling?

This regimen involves alternating between nights of using active skincare ingredients and nights of rest to maintain a healthy skin barrier. In April 2021, Dr. Whitney Bowe, a New York-based dermatologist, introduced this concept on TikTok as a way to optimize skincare routines and prevent overuse of active ingredients, leading to healthier and more radiant skin.

This four-day routine, which garnered massive attention and even sparked a similar trend for haircare, involves cycling through various active ingredients in your skincare routine. Skin enthusiasts, both experienced and beginners, eagerly embraced this approach as it allowed them to incorporate potent exfoliants like retinol with reduced risk of irritation. Skin cycling prompted many to rethink and optimize their skincare routines, creating a buzz in the beauty community.

Does Skin Cycling Actually Work?

Whether skin cycling works for you depends on the following:

• Skin Type: Some people may find that their skin responds well to this approach, while others may not see significant benefits. Skin type, such as oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin, plays a role in determining its effectiveness.

• Goals: Your skincare goals also matter. Skin cycling may be suitable for addressing specific concerns like fine lines, uneven texture, or acne, but it might not be the best approach for everyone’s goals.

• Consistency: Success with any skincare routine, including skin cycling, often depends on consistent and proper application of products. Skipping nights or using the wrong products can affect results.

• Consultation with a Dermatologist: It’s essential to consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional to determine if skin cycling is appropriate for your skin type and goals. They can provide personalized recommendations and help you avoid potential pitfalls.

• Product Selection: Choosing the right products for your skin type and needs is crucial. Not all exfoliants, retinoids, or other active ingredients are the same, so selecting the appropriate ones is essential.

The Four-Night Skin Cycling Regimen

Night One (Exfoliation):

• Start by cleansing the skin and gently patting it dry.
• Apply an exfoliating product, preferably a leave-on one (not a wash-off cleanser).
• Opt for chemical exfoliators with ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs as they are gentler on the skin barrier and more effective than physical scrubs.

Night Two (Retinoid):

• After cleansing, apply a retinoid to the entire face, neck, and décolletage.
• If you’re new to retinoids or skin cycling, consider applying a hydrating cream to sensitive areas (under the eyes, around the nose, and marionette lines) to minimize dryness and irritation.

Nights Three and Four (Repair and Recovery):

• Focus on nurturing the skin barrier and maintaining adequate hydration.
• Begin with cleansing and leaving the skin slightly damp.
• Apply a serum containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and/or niacinamide.
• Follow with a nourishing moisturizer that supports the skin barrier.
• If your skin is particularly dry, consider applying rosehip or squalane oil to the cheeks for added hydration and care.

This four-night routine combines exfoliation, retinoid use, and intensive hydration to help achieve healthier and more radiant skin.

We’d love to hear from you – Have you tried skin cycling, and if so, what were your results?