What is the Skin Cycling trend?

Skin Cycling: what it is and how this skincare trend works

This term, coined by the United States dermatologist Whitney Bowe, is a technique that has gone viral recently because of its results on our skin. It is the name given to a four-day cycle (four nighttime routines) which are repeated in cycles: the first night exfoliation; the second night retinoids, and the two following nights rest and hydration.

That cycle aims to strategically alternate products in a nighttime cycle, giving your skin the time it needs to renew and repair while preventing irritation. It is repeated in subsequent cycles and can be complemented by our daytime routine.

Skin Cycling step-by-step: complete guide for beginners

• Night 1: Exfoliation

The first step in the Skin Cycling routine consists of gentle, effective exfoliation to get rid of any dead skin cells, to improve the texture of our skin and to stimulate cell renewal. This should be done without causing damage to our skin, thereby leading to smoother skin with a more uniform texture, which also allows the active ingredients to penetrate our skin better the next day. Using fruit acid or enzyme based chemical exfoliants is recommended, as they are less aggressive than cereal based exfoliants.

• Night 2: Renewal or retinisation

On the second night you should include a retinoid in your routine. Retinoids are Vitamin A derivatives that repair and regenerate our skin, such as retinol and retinal. Since the aim of Skin Cycling is to avoid irritating our skin, using retinoids gradually is recommended, with balanced formulas to allow our skin to get used to retinisation, which can take up to three months.