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WHY SKIN CYCLING IS DONE AND WHAT IT’S FOR
Our Skin is equipped with a natural cellular renewal mechanism known as cell turnover.
Periodically, new skin cells emerge from the deeper layers of the epidermis that reach the skin’s surface as they mature before being replaced by new cells. This renewal cycle occurs approximately every 28 days but factors like aging, hormones, stress, environmental pollution, and sun exposure can disrupt its regularity.
This is where skin cycling, a skin treatment that helps remove dead skin cells and speed up the cell turnover process, leaving your Skin with a freshness and glow are incredible.
WHAT IS SKIN CYCLING?
Skin cycling is a method developed by Dr. Whitney Bowe that is based on boosting cell turnover through controlled cycles of exfoliation and hydration.
It’s designed to be incorporated into your nighttime skincare routine following a four-day cycle to maximize product benefits and prevent irritation caused by overuse of active ingredients like retinol or exfoliating acids.
This process simply mimics the natural cycle of your Skin, speeding up cellular renewal and helping to keep your Skin healthy and youthful.
THE BENEFITS OF THIS ROUTINE
Dr. Bowe’s approach aims to reduce irritation symptoms like redness and flaking, caused by retinol use (it is ideal, for example, for people with sensitive Skin).
Additionally, it stimulates collagen synthesis, smooths wrinkles and fine lines, it evens your Skin tone, improves your Skin's texture and reduces Skin discoloration.
How do you do it? The fundamental steps and products to use
First things first: cleansing. Proper cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine! The remaining steps rotate over four consecutive nights each week.
NIGHT 1: EXFOLIATION
The first night is dedicated to chemical exfoliation. This type of exfoliation, unlike physical exfoliation, enhances the effects of skin cycling and the products applied afterward.
You can use a toner with AHAs, BHAs or PHA, depending on your Skin type.
NIGHT 2: RETINOL
The second night is reserved for retinol. Using a retinol booster can help you improve your Skin's texture and elasticity by stimulating cellular turnover.
NIGHTS 3 AND 4: RECOVERY
The third and fourth nights are critical for skin cycling. On these days, use hydrating and soothing products like a hyaluronic acid booster/serum or a booster/serum with niacinamide.
Using exfoliants and retinol in your skincare routine is a powerful stimulus to accelerate the cell renewal process.
By adopting skin cycling, you can alternate application of these active ingredients on separate days, to minimize the risk of skin irritation.
It’s important to remember that combining exfoliants and retinol could be very harsh, so you always listen to your Skin and adjust these active ingredients in your skincare routine to suit your needs. There is no one single rule.
MORNING SKINCARE
Dr. Bowe, the creator of this method, recommends a vitamin C booster/serum, followed by the indispensable SPF.
Every Skin is unique. Before fully embracing skin cycling, it is essential to understand your own Skin type to ensure it is suited to your needs.