Skin Cycling: What Actually is it and Do You Really Need to Do It?
Main image – Irynashepetko/Stocksy
So you want to introduce a few more powerful ingredients into your skincare routine to improve your skin, but you’re worried you might react to it. Well, perhaps skin cycling is the answer.
Skin what?! Exactly! Keep scrolling to read dermatologists Dr Hannah Kopelman and Dr Kristina Collins’s tips on what skin cycling actually is, what the risks are and how to do it.
What is skin cycling?
Good question. But luckily, it’s not as much of a gimmick as it sounds. “Skin cycling is a skincare routine where you alternate between different types of treatments on different nights to prevent irritation,” explains Dr Kopelman.
“For example, you might exfoliate one night, use retinol the next, and then take a break by nourishing the skin for a couple of days. I’ve found it to be a great way for people with sensitive skin to introduce active ingredients without overdoing it.”
And speaking of active ingredients, Dr Collins adds, “by giving your skin recovery time, you can improve tolerance to these ingredients and enhance results without compromising the skin barrier.”
Do you actually need to do it?
Apparently not everyone does. However, “it can be a beneficial way to prevent over-exfoliation and irritation, especially for those new to stronger actives like retinol,” explains Dr Collins.
“For those who are sensitive or new to strong ingredients like retinoids or acids, skin cycling can help prevent irritation,” adds Dr Kopelman. “I recommend it especially for patients who have struggled with products in the past.”
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Are there any risks?
Luckily, for most people it’s safe. “However, individuals with extremely sensitive skin or conditions like rosacea may need to proceed cautiously,” warns Dr Collins.
“Overuse of exfoliants or retinol can cause irritation, dryness or even breakouts if not balanced properly.” Listening to your skin is key. “It’s important to monitor how your skin responds and adjust the cycle as needed,” she adds.
How to start skin cycling
- Night 1: Exfoliate
“Use a chemical exfoliant, such as an AHA or BHA, to remove dead skin cells and prep your skin for better absorption of other products,” says Dr Collins.
- Night 2: Use a retinol
“Apply a retinol or retinoid to stimulate cell turnover and target concerns like fine lines, pigmentation and acne,” she explains.
- Night 3: Nourish
“Focus on hydration and barrier repair by using a gentle, nourishing moisturiser or products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid or niacinamide,” Dr Collins recommends.
- Night 4: Nourish again
“Continue the recovery phase with another night of hydrating and replenishing your skin before starting the cycle again,” Dr Collins says.
The takeaway
So, if you’ve got sensitive skin or skin that tends to react negatively to powerful skincare ingredients, you might find it useful to give skin cycling a go, to improve your skin’s tolerance. If you have extremely sensitive skin or experience conditions like rosacea however, then you should ere on the side of caution.
Begin your cycle with exfoliation, then move on to retinol on the second night, followed by nourishment on the third and fourth, before beginning the cycle again.
Meet the experts
Dr. Kristina Collins is a board-certified dermatologist specialising in Mohs micrographic surgery, as well as surgical and cosmetic dermatology.
Dr Hannah Kopelman is a dermatologist and has completed two clinical fellowships in dermatology – hair loss from Columbia University and skin cancer from Boston University. She is also extremely active on Youtube, Instagram, Tiktok and has a weekly dermatology podcast called Derm Club.
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