What is Skin cycling and why to give it a shot!

What is skin cycling?

Skin cycling is a brand new beauty trend that has been circulating on TikTok lately and has millions of views as a hashtag. Although this is a social media trend, many dermatologists and estheticians agree that it may help our skin to be healthier, younger and fresher.

It is a night skin care routine, which includes the use of specific active ingredients. Through this process of “recycling” the ingredients, our skin can better absorb the active ingredients and reflect beauty and radiance.

Skin cycling benefits for the skin

If you frequently use the exact same active ingredients, your skin may get used to them and they may not give you the best results. With this routine you will avoid overusing the same ingredients, while it is a smart tactic to create an effective and consistent beauty routine. 

In addition, skin cycling allows some days of rest for the skin so that it can repair itself after using certain products. This can help prevent irritation, as well as inflammation in the skin.

Dermatologist Dr Whitney Bowe was inspired by this concept, with a vision to create the ultimate beauty routine so that our skin can perform at its best.

How does it work?

Skin cycling includes 2 different care phases: We start by using active ingredients for the first two nights, while for the next two nights (rest phase) we use more moisturizing-nourishing products. Then, the above cycle continues in repetition. The four-day cycle is the most popular, as you will find if you search for the corresponding hashtag on TikTok.

The products you will need are:

• Exfoliating
• Product with retinoids
• Moisturizer and/or serum

In what order should I put the products?

The correct order of products is the key, to see the results on your skin. Here are the necessary steps, for these 4 nights:

• Night 1: Exfoliation (AHAs, BHAs, PHAs)

The first night is dedicated to a good skin cleansing, and then some exfoliating product should follow. Start with your favorite liquid cleanser (ideally gel), depending on your skin type.

In addition, avoid scrubs with grains and choose acids AHAs, BHAs, PHAs, as they are more effective on the skin. A very good choice is the Apivita Express Beauty Face Mask Artichoke AHA & PHA

• Night 2: Retinoids

On the second night, after cleansing you should apply a retinoid product. If you have some really dry spots, you can put a moisturizer/nourishment cream on them (to prevent dryness and irritation) and then put the retinol on.

You can choose a product with retinol, which you will apply all over your face, body and décolleté. The La Roche Posay Retinol B3 Serum 30 ml has an anti-wrinkle effect and smoothes the skin, as it contains pure retinol.

*Do not forget to carefully read the instructions for use of the retinol you will use, as each product may have a different way of use.

• Night 3 & Night 4: Moisturize

For the next 2 nights, follow a beauty routine rich in moisturizing and nourishing elements. It is important to take care of the epidermal barrier so that the skin is adequately hydrated. Apply products with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, collagen, glycerin and/or niacinamide. If you have very dry skin, create the right combination of ingredients to give it all the moisture it needs.

Once you complete night 4, you continue the treatment cycle from Night 1.

Does skin cycling have side effects?

Skin cycling can help prevent potential side effects from ingredients like retinoids or exfoliants, as it offers some nights of repair and rest.

If you do not use products with retinoids or exfoliating ingredients, at first you may experience some side effects such as:

• Dryness
• Irritation
• Itching
• Inflammation

As retinol can make the skin more prone to sunburn, you should use a high SPF sunscreen daily. The above side effects usually gradually decrease, as the skin slowly adapts to each ingredient. Experts recommend that the key to success for any skincare routine is consistency.

Skin cycling and sensitive skin

For sensitive skins, skin cycling may need a cycle of 4, 5 or 7 days to be adequately hydrated. You will need to do some trial and error between different products and cycles to find your ideal regimen. As the experts emphasize, there is no sure method that suits everyone.

Conclusion

It is a fact that dermatologists have been using skin cycling techniques for many years. However, in recent years this tactic has become more popular, as more and more people recognize that skin layering is not necessarily effective. You can give skin cycling a chance and try it out.

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