How to use skin cycling in your beauty ritual.

The skin cycling trend is not actually new and aims to clear up confusion about how often to use active skincare ingredients like salicylic acid, retinol, and vitamin C for the optimal result. The practice involves a four-night cycle, with one night of exfoliation, one night of using a retinoid, and two consecutive nights of recovery. This allows the skin to benefit from chemical exfoliation and active ingredients without causing irritation or damage. Many people believe that using more of these ingredients is better, but this can actually lead to an unhappy, irritated skin. Skin cycling helps to balance the use of these ingredients and give the skin a chance to work with each of them without overreacting.

Night 1 – Exfoliation.

On the first night of the skin cycling routine, you should start by cleansing your skin as usual, then follow up with a chemical exfoliator rather than a physical one. Chemical exfoliation can give the skin an instant glow and prepare it for the next step. After exfoliating, you should use a gentle and hydrating moisturizer that focuses on repairing and soothing the skin's barrier. It is important to choose a moisturizer that is not too heavy or greasy, as this could cause irritation by pushing the exfoliant further into the skin. We suggest to try our ENAHANCE Essential Beauty Renewal Essence (with the blend of AHAs) or AZURIEN Clarifying Beauty Renewal Essence (with the blend of AHAs and BHA) and AquaTica Hydra-Nourishing Night Cream.

Night 2 – Retinol.

On the second night of the skin cycling routine, you should apply a small amount of retinol after cleansing. Retinol stimulates collagen and elastin production, promotes cell turnover, and can help improve issues such as texture, hyperpigmentation, and acne. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to apply a moisturizer first, as a buffer, to sensitive areas like around the eyes, the corners of the nose, and the corners of the mouth and neck, before using the retinol. This allows your skin to adapt to a lower concentration of the retinoid. Once your skin becomes accustomed to the retinol, you can reverse the order and apply it first, followed by the moisturizer. If you are new to retinol, keep in mind that it can be irritating and may take some time to get used to, so it is best to use it every few days to start. Our suggestion for this step is Genelysse Advanced Lifting and Firming Night Recovery Complex and AquaTica Hydra-Nourishing Night Cream.

Night 3&4 – Recovery.

On the recovery nights of the skin cycling routine, you should give your skin a break from exfoliants and active ingredients to allow it time to recover from the previous two nights. During these nights, you should focus on nourishing your skin microbiome and repairing your skin barrier by using hydrating and moisturizing products after cleansing. By following these steps, you should start to see results within eight days or two cycles. Our suggestion for this step is BLU’MARINE PACIFIC – 4D Pro-Collagen Re-Hydration Elixir, AquaTica Hydra-Nourishing Night Cream or SELENIYA Nourishing Skin Barrier Concentrate.

By following the skin cycling routine, you should notice that your skin looks and feels more hydrated and softer to the touch. Any stinging, burning, or redness that you experienced before starting the routine should improve after about two cycles. You may also see a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and dark spots. Overall, skin cycling can help improve the overall health and appearance of your skin.

Skin cycling can be beneficial for people with all skin types, but you may be able to customize your cycles based on your specific skin concerns and products you already have in your arsenal. For example, if you have acne-prone or oily skin, you can shorten the routine to a three-night cycle by cutting out one of the recovery nights. If your skin concern is uneven skin, you can alternate Retinoid with a brightening AHA containing treatment (BioRadiance Botanical Cellular Brightening Treatment) If you have eczema or rosacea, you may want to add an extra recovery night to the routine to give your skin more time to recover. Overall, skin cycling can be tailored to meet the needs of your skin and help you achieve the best results.

Products with other actives like Vitamin C and Niacinamide can be used in your morning routine. And don't forget the sunscreen: Sunscreen is an essential part of any skin care routine as it helps to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Aim to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.

By following these tips and cycling through different products in your routine, you can give your skin the care it deserves and keep it looking healthy and vibrant.