What Is Skin Cycling And Should You Try It

Skin cycling is the technique of switching up the skin care products you use to prevent negative side effects like dryness and inflammation. What Is Skin Cycling And Should You Try It

What Is Skin Cycling And Should You Try It

Whitney Bowe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who promoted the idea on TikTok, coined the phrase “skin cycling.” To give your face a much-needed respite from possibly harmful active substances, you must mix up your skin care regimen.

Learn more about skin cycling, including how it functions, its advantages and disadvantages, and whether it’s appropriate for you.

Procedure for Skin Cycling

In order to achieve the benefits of the products with less irritation to the skin, skin cycling typically entails creating a skin care routine with “a four-night cycle of key products,” according to Nkem Ugonabo, MD, MPH, a board-certified and fellowship-trained dermatologist who works at Unionderm in New York City. You’ll rotate products and give your skin up to two nights of rest each time, as opposed to using the same products on your skin every day.

A typical skin cycling routine can look something like this:

Day 1: Use a chemical exfoliator using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), such as salicylic acid, to exfoliate the top layers of drained skin.Day 2 involves using a retinoid treatment with a vitamin A base, such as retinol or tretinoin, to treat acne and dark spots, enhance texture, and/or stave off the signs of aging.Days three and four should only be used with a mild facial cleanser, a thin sunscreen, and a moisturizer to give your skin a break.4
You might add more items to your skin cycle program based on your individual requirements and your dermatologist’s advice.

According to Mary Alice Mina, MD, a double-board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who works at Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia, and hosts the podcast The Skin Real, “slugging with a thick ointment can be another great product to use with skin cycling, as using it daily may clog the skin and cause breakouts,” Others, meantime, utilize vitamin C serum or toner when they are not taking a “rest day.”

Skin cycling advantages

According to Dr. Ugonabo, the main objective of skin cycling is to improve the skin’s tolerance to active chemicals like retinoids and lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids. People who have attempted to use these products together but were unable to tolerate them may find it useful, she added.

The skin barrier may be protected, undesired side effects from skin care products may be avoided, and dry and irritated skin may not develop as a result of skin cycling.

Taking Care of the Skin Barrier

The skin’s outermost layer, the epidermis, or skin barrier, serves a number of crucial purposes. By retaining moisture, it keeps your skin hydrated and shields you from allergens, UV rays, and environmental irritants.

Your skin barrier might be harmed by using harsh skin care products or by using them excessively, making you more susceptible to inflammation and irritation.5 Exfoliants and retinoids in particular can harm your skin’s outer layer and reduce its capacity to act as a barrier of defense. Giving your skin barrier a break from harsh active substances and exfoliating might assist to keep it in good condition.6

Keeping Side Effects at Bay

There are undesirable side effects associated with several popular skin care products, such as inflammation. For instance, many users of retinol report getting “retinol burn,” which results in skin that is red, hyperpigmented, hot, tender, flaky, and/or peeling.7

Skin cycling, in Dr. Mina’s opinion, can help you maximize the advantages of a certain product while reducing any potential drawbacks of more regular use. Additionally, it might aid in progressively acclimating your skin to new products.

“Skin cycling is a great way to get your skin used to a product that may be potentially irritating or drying to your skin,” explained Dr. Mina. For instance, if you’re using a topical steroid on your skin, it’s vital not to use it for longer than 1-2 weeks at a time because it might have adverse consequences including skin atrophy and thinning as well as pigmentary changes that result in lighter patches on the skin.

How to Avoid Dry Skin

Skin cycling might improve your skin care regimen if you have sensitive, dry skin or live in a dry environment. Dry skin is a side effect of many well-known products used to treat acne, discolouration, and age symptoms.8 On your skin cycling “rest days,” consider using a gentle cleanser and moisturizer to prevent drying out your skin.

This is crucial for those who fervently believe that retinoids can prevent wrinkles. In winter or dry conditions, these vitamin A derivatives may irritate and dry up the skin, according to Dr. Mina.

The Drawbacks of Skin Cycling

Skin cycling may not be effective for everyone, despite its many potential advantages. Skin cycling could make your products less effective if you have a specific skin condition that needs ongoing care.

According to Dr. Uganobo, “some products, like retinoids, may be required to be used in a specific cadence in order to achieve full clinical results.” For instance, “I usually prefer that patients with acne use a retinoid more frequently.” In other words, if you don’t use your skin care products for a few days at a time, their active ingredients could not have as strong of an impact.

Of course, if your dermatologist has already recommended a topical drug for regular usage, skin cycling might not be the best option for you. Some products, like sunscreen, require regular application in order to be effective.9 When in doubt, consult your dermatologist to customize a skin care regimen to your individual requirements and desired outcomes.

For whom Is Skin Cycling Appropriate?

Skin cycling may be helpful for anyone who wants to establish a daily skin care practice but has previously suffered skin irritation and other unfavorable side effects from skin care products.

If you want to organize your daily self-care regimen, it could also be helpful. You can use skin cycling to simplify and streamline your everyday routine rather than depending on laborious, multi-step procedures with numerous products.

Consider trying skin cycling if you suffer from any skin diseases like eczema that cause redness, dryness, itching, or swelling.10 Patients with sensitive skin and rosacea would probably benefit the most, according to Dr. Ugonabo, as would those who are just starting [a skin care program] or are unfamiliar with active ingredients.

A Brief Overview

Skin cycling is the deliberate use of skin care products. In a typical four-day practice, exfoliants, retinoids, sunscreen, and moisturizers are alternated. You can prevent unpleasant side effects like irritation and dryness while still enjoying the advantages of your selected products by giving your skin a day or two “off” from harsh substances.

Ask your dermatologist about skin cycling if you’re interested. Depending on your skin care objectives and any conditions you’d like to treat, they can provide insightful recommendations regarding which ingredients to include and which to leave out.

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