If you’re a TikTok beauty content junkie, chances are you’ve caught wind of the skin cycling trend that’s taking social media by storm. And while all the beauty influencers’ glowing skin may seem to be all you need to know, you may still be curious as to what this process is, how to do it correctly and if it’s even safe.
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Here, a dermatologist breaks it all down.
What is skin cycling?
According to Melissa Levin, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and CeraVe brand partner, skin cycling refers to the routine of rotating your skincare products that contain active ingredients with rest days for each one. The purpose of doing this is to allow your skin’s microbiome and barrier to recover and avoid irritation.
“I compare skin cycling to a fitness routine – on different days, you focus on different muscle groups and types of exercises such as cardio, strength training, or flexibility,” Dr. Levin says. “Giving your skin the ‘workdays’ vs. the “recovery days” allows for continuous improvement of the skin with the active ingredients while minimizing potential irritation or skin barrier disruption.”
What’s the correct way to perform a skin cycling routine?
According to Dr. Levin, the classic skin cycling regimen is a four-night cycle:
- The first is the exfoliation night.
- The second is a retinoid night
- The third and fourth nights are focused on moisturizing and hydrating to help the skin recover from the active ingredients.
“Sometimes active ingredients (e.g. exfoliants and retinoids) can be irritating and can cause sensitive, dry or tight skin or a burning sensation,” she explains.
According to Dr. Levin, each night of the cycle should start with the use of a gentle cleanser (examples include CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser and Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel and a nourishing moisturizer in tandem with the active ingredients. Next, apply a retinol or exfoliant on active nights and end with a hydrating moisturizer.
On recovery nights, Dr. Levin recommends focusing on incorporating ingredients that are focused on skin barrier restoration and hydration such as ceramides, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid. Examples of moisturizer options include CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer.
“On recovery nights, products with ceramides are my go-to recommendation as they work to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier and lock in hydration,” she says.
Is skin cycling safe?
According to Dr. Levin, skin cycling is generally safe, assuming you are following a routine specific to your needs and concerns, particularly those with sensitive skin who may not be able to use active ingredients every night. As such, she recommends talking to a dermatologist before beginning a new skincare regimen to make sure you don’t further irritate your skin.
Is skin cycling good for acne?
“While four-day skin cycling is a rough guideline, some patients may benefit from a five or six-day cycle if they have very sensitive or dry skin,” she explains. “On the other hand, patients with oily or acne-prone may be able to tolerate a three-day cycle better than a four-day cycle.”
Similarly, people with skin conditions such as acne, eczema, rosacea or psoriasis, as well as those using prescription medications for their skin should always check in with their dermatologist to make sure that the skincare routine is appropriate for their condition, Dr. Levin says. She notes that it’s important to always moisturize when skin cycling and speak to your dermatologist about trying skin cycling while also using retinoids, as irritation may indicate that you should slow down your skin cycling routine or use gentler products.
“It is important to monitor your skin very closely at the beginning of skin cycling to see how it reacts to the regimen,” she says. “While the ‘active’ nights are focused on ingredients such as retinol and exfoliation, the basis of any skincare routine is to cleanse with a gentle cleanser and moisturize with gentle products.”
The bottom line: As with skincare routines in general, skin cycling isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation, so don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you’re unsure about how to properly change up your own.
“While skin cycling is generally a safe method, it should be looked at as a ‘framework’ that allows customization to treat your skin’s specific needs,” Dr. Levin says.
