Skin Cycling – what it means an how it helps your skin

7 Mar 2023, 17:07

Skin cycling is a technique that involves adapting the skincare routine to the needs of the skin in different moments, seasons, stages. The principle of this method would be this: the application of face care products is regarded as a four-day evening routine, the length of a skin cycle.

Therefore, we first apply an exfoliator to remove dead cells, the next day a retinol-based treatment to stimulate cell renewal, then give the skin two days of "rest", in which it is advisable to use regenerating serums and creams moisturizers to repair the skin barrier.

Skin Cycling, step by step

On the first day, after cleansing the skin, apply a chemical exfoliant. This can be an AHA, BHA or PHA to remove dead cells. Then continue with a moisturizing cream.

The second evening is the turn of a retinoid-based serum, which can be retinol or tretinoin (the pure form of vitamin A, but also the most irritating). Obviously, after removing make-up/cleansing the skin. It is very important that the skin is completely dry, because retinol applied to wet skin causes excessive drying.

If you have sensitive skin or have just started using Vitamin A-based products, it is recommended that prior them to apply moisturizing cream to the most sensitive areas of the face: the contour of the eyes and the area of ​​the mouth and chin.

The last two days are dedicated to skin rehydration. So, after cleansing, apply a serum (which can be with hyaluronic acid or niacinamide) to maintain hydration and soothe the skin after therapy with stronger active substances.

Follow with moisturizer (can be hyaluronic acid, ceramides or natural oil based) and serum/oil to seal everything in.

Preferably, opt for a moisturizing cream with a high percentage of natural ingredients and a serum based on nourishing natural oils, which works wonders for the skin!

Be careful, though! Retinoid products are photosensitizing, which means the skin becomes very sensitive to the action of the sun’s rays, so it’s very important to protect your skin with a high SPF cream the next morning, whether it’s summer or winter!