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Want to know how to get the best skin of your life? Here are the secrets to a skin cycling routine step by step.
Finding a routine that works for your skin can be extremely difficult but this skin cycling routine step-by-step guide may just be what you need. I managed to clear my skin, for the most part, a few years ago. I was still having problems with texture, blackheads, and occasional breakouts tough.
When I first discovered skin cycling I was so intrigued I decided to try it right away. If you know me you know the first thing I did was researching, researching, researching and I found a lot of useful information!
Skin cycling is a skincare routine designed for those more sensitive to retinoids and retinol. It consists of a cycle of four nights back to back. You start with an exfoliator the first night, followed by a retinoid the second night, and finish with two nights to let your skin rest.
Just knowing what skin cycling is, may not be super helpful. Here you are going to learn how to effectively use skin cycling to get and maintain plump, clear, and soft skin.
In this article:
What is skin cycling?
This concept recently became famous on Tik Tok thanks to Dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, so we know it’s backed by science which as you may know it’s really a must on this blog.
The process is pretty simple actually. It consists of a cycle of 4 nights where you start by cleansing your skin with your favorite cleanser (make sure you don’t use one with chemical exfoliators in it tough, you don’t want to overdo it).
1. Night one
On the first night, you are going to apply an exfoliating product to the skin followed by your moisturizer. If you want some suggestions I swear by these products:
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% peeling solution
It can be a little bit harsh, if you have really sensitive skin I would avoid it or at least build up a tolerance to it.
I recommend you use it no more the three times a week. It’s a strong product.
I love that I can get fast and really good results without having to use it every day since I prefer a simple skincare routine.
This one is milder compared to the first one, but if you have really sensitive skin I would still be careful with it.
I also love using it on my body. Every time I take a shower I put some in a few cotton pads and my skin is crazy smooth and soft all the time.
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%
I’ve heard great things about this one but it was very irritating for me. I got a lot of breakouts which is why I didn’t really like it. Still, it may work for you!
Paula’s Choice skin perfecting 2% BHA liquid Salicylic Acid Exfoliant
This product is definitely pricier compared to the other ones but is worth every penny!
If you have a little bit more to splurge on skincare I strongly recommend this one but if you don’t you will still be able to get great results with the others.
In fact, since I’m on a budget I don’t purchase this consistently.
Aurora’s tips
make sure to always patch test before using this kind of products for the first time!
2. Night two
On night two, again after cleansing your skin, you need to choose a retinol product and of course, apply your moisturizer of choice after. The world of retinol is a lot of fun but if you are a newbie I know it can look a bit scary.
For this step these are the products I recommend for you:
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
This product is definitely mild, it’s perfect if you are just starting your retinol journey.
By the way, if you want to know how to start with retinol in this post I go in-depth about the topic.
The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane
This is the one I’m currently using and I have seen beautiful results. I’m on the fence about trying a prescription retinoid though.
It could be a bit of a splurge but this is the only way to get higher percentages, I will keep you posted.
CeraVe Anti-Aging Retinol Serum
I really liked this one too. I really don’t know which one I prefer between this one and The Ordinary Retinol 1%.
I think if you have oily skin you may prefer this one though because it has a lighter formula.
CeraVe Retinol Serum for Post-Acne Marks and Skin Texture
If you want to target acne marks and scars in the process you are going to love this one!
3. Night Three and four
The following two nights can look boring but are really important. They give your skin time to heal and regenerate. For this step you are just going to cleanse your face and apply your moisturizer, that’s it.
Who will benefit from skin cycling?
Skin cycling is a safer option for people with sensitive skin that want to exfoliate and have the benefits of retinol without irritating their skin.
However, at the moment there is no skin cycling suitable for every skin type. If you want to be extra careful you should see a dermatologist or a skincare expert first.
Anyway, skin cycling is also perfect for people who want to change up their nighttime routine a little bit or even for the ones that don’t have a routine yet.
I wouldn’t recommend it if you are pregnant given that there is some evidence that retinol may cause birth defects. More specifically skin cycling will improve large pores, blackheads, fine lines, and scarring plus definitely slows down the aging process.
Is there science behind skin cycling?
We know is recommended by a dermatologist so at least we can sleep peacefully on that. For what concerns research there is none specifically for skin cycling.
However, there is some evidence that backs up the importance of getting rid of dead skin cells and using retinol to increase collagen production and remove skin damage.
Essentially we can say is a safer option to use chemical exfoliators and retinol which we know are going to give us results.
This post was all bout a skin cycling routine step-by-step guide.
Retinol newbie?
Here’s where to start.
