Skin Cycling... What is it and Why you need to start.
Creating a skincare routine often feels like an overwhelming task. With so many products available in the market, it can be challenging to find products best for you and your skin type. In addition, with so many beauty trends and product advances to keep track of, just taking care of your skin is quite daunting. Skin Cycling, pioneered by dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, is a new skincare trend receiving lots of love on social media. Keep scrolling to learn skin cycling tips that can solve all your skincare woes.
What is Skin Cycling?
The skin cycling trend was introduced by Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-licensed dermatologist, and content creator. This trend explains a more scientific approach and involves certain products and active ingredients in a prescribed order to give your skin a built-in time to receive treatment and recover from it.
Skin cycling helps beauty enthusiasts understand how often more powerful products should be used daily, which assists in avoiding extreme irritation. The hashtag of skin cycling has reached millions of views on TikTok, and Dr. Bowe's account has more than 800,000 followers looking to seek the unique method. The real version that the doctor recommended was for sensitive skin. It includes exfoliate, retinoid, recover, recover. You can shorten the routine by taking out one night of recovery for less sensitive skin. It may lead to quicker results from active ingredients in an exfoliating agent and the retinoid. After completing a three or four-night cycle, repeat the process from the beginning.
The concept of skin cycling is basically introduced to help those who likely damage their skin with over-exfoliation or using harsh chemicals. In extreme cases, the skin barrier gets damaged, and chronic inflammation occurs with signs of aging and hyperpigmentation.
Steps to Follow for Skin Cycling
1. Exfoliate
The first step of every skin cycle starts with cleansing. Use your regular cleanser before starting the skin cycling step on night one, exfoliation.
When you exfoliate your skin, it dissolves the uppermost layer, gives a healthy glow, prevents clogging of pores, and allows the other skincare products to absorb better. Use a gentle exfoliating agent, and don't be too harsh on your skin while performing the process because over-exfoliation causes fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, your skin easily dehydrates, and no moisture effectively gets trapped in it.
The over-exfoliation makes your skin sensitive to pollutants and allergens. In addition, it can lead to breakouts and other skin conditions like rosacea and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
According to Dr. Bowe, one of the primary concerns of sharing skin cycling is to make people aware of the damaging effects of over-exfoliation. Therefore, she introduced a less is more approach. Instead of layering more products on top of one another, skin cycling promotes using products in a more strategic way to void unnecessary skin irritation.
2. Use a Retinol
The next night (night two), use a Retinol which is one of the most potent skincare components to include in your skin cycling routine. Dr. Bowe says three things are important to keep in mind when it comes to using retinoids. The formula's potency, how you layer the retinoid, and how many recovery nights you build in between. Start using gentle retinol instead of a prescription-strength retinoid on sensitive or problematic skin like the TSOK & CO Retinol.
3. Recovery
Night three and four is all about REST because your skin needs a break to protect your moisture barrier. Hold off on the exfoliating acids and retinol to give your skin a chance to recover. On recovery nights focus on nourishing the skin microbiome and repairing the skin barrier. Use moisturising ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Ceramides, and Glycerin. Try the TSOK & CO Hydrating Moisturiser and Hyaluronic Acid.
Benefits of Skin Cycling
Skin cycling is very effective because it gives your skin a chance to heal between treatments. The exfoliating agents and retinol are potent products. However, they can be irritating for most people if used frequently. Too much application leads to skin sensitivity, dryness, and stretchiness. In addition, people with darker skin tones most likely develop hyperpigmentation due to excessive use of products.
Skin cycling is generally safe for all, even for people with sensitive skin. This is an easy routine to follow for people who cannot tolerate harsh ingredients daily.
Skin Cycling Tips
- Be mindful of choosing an exfoliating product for your skin. If you experience burning, irritation or redness, wash off the product immediately. The slight tingling is okay but definitely not necessary to see actual results over time.
- Choose a blend of exfoliating acids instead of a single concentrated formula.
- Layer a soothing and nourishing product on your skin after exfoliation. It will help to rebalance your skin's microbiome and repair the skin barrier.
- Start with gentle retinol and see how your skin responds to it.
- If you have sensitive or problematic skin, use a fragrance-free moisturiser during the recovery nights. It will help protect sensitive areas from potent retinoids.
Suitable Skin Types for Skin Cycling
Skin cycling can work for any skin type because you can adjust the type and number of products used every night. For example, people with oily or acne-prone skin may not require excessive moisturisation. The skin already produces enough natural oil or sebum to keep the surface hydrated. In this case, you can opt for shorter recovery night cycles.
In addition, if your skin is adjusted to retinoids, you can follow a three-night cycle instead of four by skipping one recovery night.
Though skin cycling is safe for all, patients with active skin conditions like inflammatory or cystic acne should follow a consistent and frequent use of topical retinoids versus once every four days.
The Bottom Line
Always remember patience is key. Effective skincare products take time to deliver results. The instant results may be insta-worthy but are not the key to long-lasting effects. It is crucial to look at what you are using for your skin. Slowing down the process or allowing your skin to rest between the treatments can provide impressive long-term outcomes.