What is Skin Cycling: The Latest Skincare Trend

Enter skin cycling, the newest skincare trend on the block. But what is this newfound beauty trick for your face? It involves simplifying your current skincare regimen with the goal of keeping the outer layer of your skin strong, smooth, and synergistic. Join us as we dive into the skin cycling phenomenon and break it down so you can do it at home.

What Is Skin Cycling, Exactly?

If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you may already be familiar with the term “skin cycling.” The term is famously linked to dermatologist Whitney Bowe and has been widely adopted by many, but what does it entail?

This viral beauty trend throws out the traditional norms of nightly skincare in favor of a more modern concept: uncomplicating your nighttime routine. For two nights you apply active ingredients to your face and the following two nights, you allow your skin to “rest” by simply hydrating your skin.

The overall goal of skin cycling is to prevent damage to the outermost layer of your skin, the skin barrier [1]. This thin barrier is essential to maintaining healthy skin, as it protects you from external threats like chemicals and allergens [2].

Some individuals who use active ingredients night after night notice a weakened skin barrier, which may present in the form of one or more of the following symptoms [3]:

• Acne
• Dry, scaly, or flaky skin
• Inflammation
• Itchiness
• Infection
• Stinging when you apply products
• Rough patches

The skin cycle technique is meant to help you cycle through skin care by having an exfoliation night, an actives night, and a rest night rather than using the same products every day. 

What Are the Benefits of Skin Cycling?

In essence, the process simplifies the number of products and ingredients you expose your skin to every night. The result? A streamlined nightly skincare routine offering the following potential benefits:

• Alternating the usage of skincare products and ingredients to potentially improve your skin’s health
• Incorporating time for your skin—and skin barrier—to rest and recover before applying active ingredients again

We can get impatient when it comes to our skin, which can lead to too much exfoliation, overuse of actives, and a damaged skin barrier.

How to Incorporate a Skin Cycling Routine

If you’re interested in throwing your hat into this particular beauty regimen ring, you can easily try it from the comfort of your own home. Note that while this can work for any skin type, it's all about the skincare products used. For example, if you tend to be prone to skin sensitivity, be sure to use a gentle exfoliating acid and active ingredient on nights one and two. 

Below, we break down the simple steps to mastering your own skin cycling routine.

Night One: Exfoliate Your Skin

On the first night, it’s time to exfoliate—but not just with any exfoliant. Opt for a chemical exfoliant over a physical exfoliant. Some physical exfoliants, such as gritty scrubs, can cause microtears and irritation to your skin barrier. Chemical exfoliants, like salicylic or glycolic acid, gently help loosen and remove dead skin cells from your face.

Here are the simple directions for night one:

• Step 1 – Cleanse and dry your face with a cleanser.
• Step 2 – Apply a product that includes a chemical exfoliant to help remove dead skin.
• Step 3 – Follow up with a moisturizing night cream.

  Night Two: Apply a Retinoid

  Derived from vitamin A, retinoids contain properties that make them ideal for a radiance revival. From increasing collagen production (all the better to smooth out your skin’s texture) to reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, its potential benefits are vast [6].

  Below are the quick and easy instructions for skin cycling on night two:

  • Step 1 – Cleanse and dry your face.
  • Step 2 – Apply a product that includes retinoids, like retinoid or retinaldehyde.
  • Step 3 – Rub your nightly moisturizing cream onto your face.

    Nights Three and Four: Let Your Skin Recover

    After a round of exfoliants and retinoids, it’s time to give your skin a short vacation from active ingredients. This is known as a recovery night (or technically two nights). Instead, the focus of nights three and four will be to pamper your skin barrier with hydration. This two-day hiatus from active ingredients will also allow your skin to heal and strengthen itself for another round of skin cycling.

    During nights three and four, follow this simple skincare routine:

    • Step 1 – Cleanse your face with an effective facial cleanser that cleanses, tones, gently exfoliates, and works to actively protect your skin barrier.
    • Step 2 – Apply a night cream that nourishes, firms, and repairs your skin as you sleep.

      Create Your Own Skin Cycling Routine with Personalized Skincare by PROVEN

      Skin routines, trends, and ingredients can abound, which can make sticking to an effective routine feel complex. But with PROVEN skincare, you can keep your routine simple and test whether skin cycling is right for you.

      PROVEN formulates the perfect 3-step skincare routine for you based on factors unique to you, like your age, lifestyle, geographic location, and skin concerns. With a better understanding of your skin profile, we blend ingredients that align with your needs to help you achieve the luminous skin you deserve.

      What’s more, it’s easier than ever to apply the skin cycling trend with the help of PROVEN products. On nights one and two, use your personalized 3-in-1 facial cleanser to remove dirt and dead skin, while simultaneously toning and exfoliating (followed by applying your night cream). On nights three and four, wash your face with water, pat it dry, and simply apply the night cream to hydrate your skin to perfection.

      To find your personalized skincare system, take our three-minute skincare quiz and jumpstart your journey to healthier, more radiant skin.

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