Skin Cycling

What is skin cycling?

● Skin cycling is a method of keeping over-exfoliation from damaging the skin and promoting skin recovery
● It is a nighttime routine based on a 3 or 4 day cycle

How to skin cycle:

● Night 1: Exfoliation night

○ This night is about priming your skin, sloughing away the dead surface layer of cells inhibiting the ingredients from your products from penetrating the skin
○ Cleanse your skin, pat it dry, then use an exfoliation product (i.e. AHA/BHA exfoliating pads, any chemical exfoliant over physical ones like scrubs)
○ Moisturize afterwards

● Night 2: Retinoid night

○ Retinoids help speed up skin cell turnover, can treat mild acne, fade hyperpigmentation and scarring, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
○ They are used after exfoliation night so that the skin can allow adequate penetration of the product
○ Cleanse skin, pat it dry, then use a pea-sized amount of a retinoid product
○ Moisturize afterwards
○ If you cannot use or tolerate retinoids, look for alternatives such a Bakuchiol, peptides, and niacinamide

● Night 3: Recovery night

○ This night allows your skin to bounce back by focusing on nourishing and repairing the skin barrier
○ Clean skin, pat it dry, then apply any hydrating serums or moisturizers that do not include active ingredients (like the ones aforementioned)
○ Look for fragrance-free products that contain skin-repairing add-ins like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides

● Night 4 (optional): Recovery night

○ A second night of recovery and hydration can be utilized unless you have acne-prone skin, in which case, a 3-night cycle is better

● Repeat!