Skin Cycling: what it is and how to incorporate it into your skincare

Skin Cycling: what it is and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine

After summer, it’s important to take care of your skin to keep it healthy and glowing. One of the biggest effects of tanning is drier, duller skin, and this is because the sun strips your skin of its natural moisture, leaving it looking dull and rough.

The skin cycling trend that’s all the rage right now could be perfect for you: let’s find out together what it is and how it works.

WHY SKIN CYCLING IS DONE AND WHAT IT'S FOR

Our skin has a natural cell renewal mechanism known as cell turnover.

Periodically, new skin cells emerge from deep within the epidermis and, as they develop, reach the surface before being replaced by other new cells. This renewal cycle happens approximately every 28 days but factors such as aging, hormones, stress, environmental pollution and sun exposure can affect its regularity.

This is where skin cycling comes in, a skin exfoliation treatment that helps remove dead cells and speed up the turnover process, giving the skin incredible freshness and radiance.

WHAT IS SKIN CYCLING?

Skin Cycling is a method created by Dr. Whitney Bowe based on stimulating cell turnover through controlled cycles of exfoliation and hydration.

It is designed to be integrated into a nighttime skincare routine, following a cycle of four days to maximize the benefits of products and prevent any irritation caused by overuse of active ingredients such as retinol or exfoliating acids.

This process simply mimics the skin's natural cycle, speeding up cell renewal and helping to keep skin healthy and youthful.

THE BENEFITS OF THIS ROUTINE

Dr. Bowe's approach aims to reduce symptoms of irritation, such as redness and flaking, caused by retinol use (useful, for example, for people with sensitive skin).

In addition, it stimulates collagen synthesis, refines wrinkles and fine lines, improves skin tone, skin texture and dark spots.

How do you do it? The essential steps and products to use

First thing first: cleansing. Proper cleansing is the foundation of any skincare routine! The other steps alternate and follow one another for 4 consecutive nights a week.

NIGHT 1: EXFOLIATION

The first night is dedicated to chemical exfoliation. This type of exfoliation, compared with physical exfoliation, enhances the effects of skin cycling and the products applied afterward.

You can use a toner with AHA, BHA or PHA depending on your skin type.

NIGHT 2: RETINOL

The second night is reserved for retinol. Using a retinol booster can help improve skin texture and elasticity by stimulating cell turnover.

NIGHTS 3 and 4: RECOVERY

The third and fourth nights are essential for skin cycling. On these days, moisturizing and soothing products are used, such as an Hyaluronic Acid booster/serum or a booster/serum with Niacinamide.

Using exfoliants and retinol in your skincare routine is a powerful way to speed up the cell renewal process.

By adopting skin cycling, it is possible to alternate the application of these actives on separate days, in order to minimize the risk of skin irritation.

It is important to remember that combining exfoliants + retinol could be very strong, so you must always listen to your skin and adapt these actives in your skincare routine based on your needs. There is no single rule.

MORNING SKINCARE

Dr. Bowe, the creator of this method, recommends a vitamin C-based booster/serum, followed by the essential SPF.
Every skin is unique. Before fully embracing skin cycling, it is essential to know your skin type to make sure it suits your needs.