What is Skin Cycling and How it Saved my Skin
There are many skin-care routines out there, but the one that has truly changed my skin is skin cycling. I have struggled with acne for years, but after trying out this new routine I was able to clear up my skin and make it look brighter than ever.
One major problem I’ve always faced when it came to my skin and acne as well as the fact that I was always left with a red mark, or hyperpigmentation after a pimple went away. So while I was relieved that my skin cleared up, I was left stressed having to deal with how to treat my skin.
This is where skin cycling comes in and how it truly transformed and saved my skin.
What is skin cycling?
Skin cycling, a term coined by Dr. Whitney Bowe, is a gentle method of treating skin by alternating between products that exfoliate the skin and those that moisturize. The idea behind this approach is to keep your skin healthy and clear, as well as to prevent breakouts from happening in the first place.
By keeping up a regular routine of alternating between products, you can help keep your face free of blemishes—whether you’re just looking for a way to control existing acne or want something more permanent.
Skin cycling ensures that you don’t over exfoliate, which can actually cause breakouts, as well as give your skin time to heal.
What are the benefits of skin cycling?
Personally, as someone who has oily skin, skin cycling has transformed my skin for the better. Prior to skin cycling, I did have a loose skin care routine. I definitely made sure to double cleanse nightly, never sleep with make up on and of course always wore SPF daily.
However, other parts of my routine were a bit loose. And what I found myself doing was over exfoliating which would in turn cause more breakouts. I would use a chemical exfoliant and be obsessed with how it would make my skin look. With my skin looking radiant and glowing, I would continue using my exfoliant and retinoid and it woul irriate my skin.
Skin cycling ensured that I was exfolifating and using a retinoid and NOT over doing it. The repaid nights helped repaired my skin barrier and in the end, the results were MUCH better than my “loose skin care routine.”
Who should practice skin cycling?
Skin cycling can be done by almost everyone! It can help with treating acne as well as a number of other skin conditions. If you’ve never used a retinoid before, you’ll still be okay because you can modify the routine if you face any sensitivity.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with your dermatologist on an alternative to a retinoid.
Does skin cycling work for acne and acne-prone skin?
Skin cycling is a safe and effective way to treat acne and prevent breakouts. It can help you achieve beautiful, clear skin, no matter how severe your acne is now.
The best thing about skin cycling for people with acne is that it’s gentle enough that you can use it every day if you want to. You don’t have to worry about completely stopping all products or using harsh methods like retinoids or chemical peels—you just switch up your routine when needed!
How can I start a skin cycle routine?
Skin cycling is done in a 4-night routine.
Night 1: Exfolifate
To start, night one will be your exfoliating night. Dr. Bowe recommends using a chemical exfoliant, containing either AHA or BHAs. Chemical exfoliants are preferred over physical ones because they are not has harsh on the skin. Often physical exfoliants, like a scrub, can cause micro-tears on the skin.
Please note that a chemical exfoliant shouldn’t burn or string your skin. If you experience that, wash it off. A slight tingling sensation should be okay, not nothing too painful!
Night 2: Retinoid
Night 2 will be your retinoid night. This is the step that has really transformed and saved my skin. You can talk to your dermatologist about getting a prescription for retinol. However, there are some over the counter products you can get without a prescription for a doctor.
A vitamin-A derived product, retinoids help to reduce wrinkles, even skin tone and help with skin cell turnover. Retinoids can do so much for the skin, I don’t even know where to begin! For me personally, I deal with a lot of hyperpigmentation so implementing a retinoid in my skincare routine has been a life saver.
Retinoids can cause some slight irritation and dryness, so the next steps in your skin cycling routine will help ensure that your skin is hydrated and protected.
If you find yourself sensitive to retinoids, you can “slug” around more sensitive areas of your face prior to applying your retinoid product. This means applying a thin layer of moisturizer around areas like your eyes, nose, mouth, etc.
Night 3 & 4: Recovery
Protecting and nourishing your skin barrier is vital, especially after using exfoliants and retinoids on your skin. The next two nights should be focused on hydrating and using protects that help repair your skin barrier.
Example schedule for skin cycling in the evening:
Monday: Exfoliate
Tuesday: Retinoid
Wednesday: Recovery
Thursday: Recovery
Then repeat the cycle…
Friday: Exfolifate
Saturday: Retinoid
Sunday: Recovery
Monday: Recovery…
You get the jest of it now 😛
Products you need to make sure you have
The following products are what I use in the AM. I use these products everyday, they are constant in my morning skincare routine.
- Start with a gentle cleanser. I use and highly recommend La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash for Oily Skin.
- A solid vitamin-C is an important step in your morning routine. Vitamin-C is brightening, helps in fading hyperpigmentation, promotes collagen production, and much more. I recommend and use La Roche-Posay Pure Vitamin-C Face Serum.
- Use a moisturizer that’s non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog your pores and cause more breakouts. I use and recommend La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer.
- Make sure you have a solid SPF. SPF is such an important product to have in your routine. If you are not using an SPF now, it’s the one thing I urge you to incorporate right away. I do tend to prefer to use Korean and/or Japanese SPFs. I recommend and use Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46.
What products should I use for my skin cycle routine.
Morning skin care that stays the same:
- Cleanser
- When skin is dry, apply vitamin-C serum
- Optional: after applying a vitamin-C serum, I’ll sometimes apply a hyaluronic acid
- Moisturizer
- SPF
Night 1: Exfoliant
- Cleanser
- I use Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One AHA Lactic Acid Treatment
- Moisturizer
Night 2: Retinoid
- Cleanser
- I use Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
- Moisturizer
Night 3 & 4: Recovery
- Cleanser
- I use whatever hydrating and calming Korean serum I have on hand
- Moisturizer
- Optional: If my skin needs some extra care, instead of my moisturizer I will use the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask
Skin cycling is an amazing way to help you prevent and treat acne.
Now that we know what skin cycling is and how it works, let’s talk about how it can help you prevent and treat acne.
- Preventing acne: If you have acne-prone skin, using a gentle cleanser and oil-free moisturizer will help keep your oil production at bay. You should also avoid wearing too much makeup or sunscreen as these things can clog pores as well as drying out your skin.
- Treating acne: Using an exfoliating scrub or toner every now and then can get rid of dead cells on your face that might be trapping dirt inside of them—this will make pores less likely to get clogged up! Also, if there are any blackheads on your nose or cheeks (or wherever else), try squeezing them out with warm water instead of picking at them with a needle because this will only irritate the area more than necessary for removing those pesky little guys
Conclusion
After reading this article, I hope you have a better understanding of skin cycling and how it can benefit your acne-prone skin. All you need to do is follow these three steps: exfoliate, retinoid, and recovery ! With regular practice over time, your skin will become healthier. You’ll also notice more balance with fewer acne breakouts occurring.
Until next time,
