If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or social media lately, you may have encountered the term skin cycling. This new trend invites you to rethink your approach to your nighttime skincare routine and make adjustments that allow your skin to recover while still getting the active ingredients it needs to combat imperfections.
While most trends are just trends – skin cycling is different. To learn more about this trend and find out if it’s something you want to jump into, we chatted with Emily Ayland, the in-house skincare expert at Augustinus Bader – one of the buzziest and most popular skincare brands. So, here’s everything you need to know about skin cycling!
What Is the “Skin Cycling” Trend?
A few months ago, the skin cycling trend gained popularity on TikTok when skincare gurus and influencers began posting their GRWM videos and skincare routines. This trend differs from other skincare routine trends because it encourages individuals to simplify their approach. There’s no need for a 10-step routine before you go to bed. Instead, this routine invites you to change your approach to two products with powerful active ingredients. Here’s how it works.
- Night 1: Exfoliate
- Night 2: Retinoids
- Night 3: Recovery
- Night 4: Recovery
Skin cycling is a four-night routine focusing on three main parts: Exfoliation, Retinoids, and Recovery. On the first night, you use your favorite exfoliant to buff away dead skin cells (to make room for new growth) and remove dirt, grime, and bacteria hiding in your pores. We love these exfoliates (which also both have over 4.5 star reviews): Glow Recipe Strawberry Smooth BHA + AHA Salicylic Acid Serum and ROSE Ingelton MD SuperFruit Exfoliating Tonic 8% AHA Solution.
You switch your exfoliant the second night for a retinol or retinoid serum. Retinol is derived from vitamin A and is commonly used for its anti-aging properties. When used consistently, it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discoloration. These are two retinols our editors love: Shani Darden Skin Sare Retinol Reform® treatment serum and Dermalogica Dynamic Skin Retinol Serum (both have 5 star reviews).
The last two nights of the skin cycling process focus on giving your skin time to recover from exfoliation and retinol serum. While both skincare products are essential to your routine, they can be somewhat harsh on the skin, so use them sparingly. Using an exfoliant and a retinol every night before bed could lead to breakouts, redness, and inflammation.
Skin cycling teaches you to listen to your skin’s needs, give your skin time to recover from the active ingredients, and get the most from the potent formulas. While skin cycling only focuses on two main products, remember to use a cleanser and a moisturizer every night before bed. These products typically contain gentle ingredients essential to keeping your skin clean, eliminating unwanted impurities, residual makeup, and SPF.
Looking for a cleanser? We love these cleansers: Youth To The People Superfood Antioxidant Refillable Cleanser, Glow Recipe Avocado Ceramide Moisture Barrier Cleanser and The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser.
If you need a moisturizer, one of the best right now is The Rich Cream from Augustinus Bader. We know this one is pricey, so we also love these moisturizers: First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair® Cream Intense Hydration (great for dry skin), Kate Somerville HydraKate Recharging Water Cream Moisturizer (good for combo skin), or Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water Gel Moisturizer (great budget option).
The Importance of Skincare Regimens
Whether you wear a full face of makeup every day or love the clean girl aesthetic, a skincare regimen is essential to maintaining your skin’s integrity.
If you aren’t at least using the basics regularly, you may notice signs of premature aging. Fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration are signs of a lack of protection and a build-up of impurities on the skin’s surface.
To build a proper skincare routine that meets your skin’s needs, you need to start with the basics.
- Daily Moisturizer: Protects the skin from environmental stressors and reduces your risk of dryness.
- Gentle Cleanser: Should be used at least once a day at the end of the day to eliminate impurities, bacteria, and grime that gathers throughout the day.
- Exfoliant: Works to buff away dead skin cells to make room for new growth and maintain your skin’s youthful glow.
- Serums: Serums like retinol, vitamin C, and hyaluronic acid help target pesky skincare concerns unique to your skin.
SPF: This is essential for protecting your skin from harmful UVB rays and preventing premature signs of aging.
Benefits of Skin Cycling
So, can influencers be right about this trend? To put it simply, yes. Skin cycling is an effective routine for inviting potent active skincare products into your routine without causing irritation.
Committing to this approach allows you to refine your routine, which helps you combat imperfections while giving your skin time to recover.
Simplify Your Routine
In a world constantly telling you that you need more, finding a trend that encourages you to do less is refreshing. With skin cycling, you can commit to a less is more lifestyle and focus only on providing your skin with the essentials you need to maintain your skin’s integrity.
Optimal Skincare Product Efficacy
Skin cycling invites you to focus on one product at a time. While exfoliants and retinol are beneficial in their ways, they are much harsher than other skincare products. Giving each product its night will help you maximize the efficiency of the formula ingredients.
Optimize Skin Health
Whether sensitive, aging, or standard, your skin deserves a break sometimes. With this skin cycling trend, your skin gets the break it needs to recover, which will help you avoid irritation, redness, and inflammation.
Improve Skin Texture
Retinol and exfoliants are proven to help improve your skin’s visual look and feel. This approach to skincare allows your skin to benefit from the active ingredients present in the formulas and recover as well.
Tips for Implementing Effective Skincare Cycling
Skincare doesn’t need to be complicated. With skin cycling, you can simplify your routine and invite products for your skin’s ever-changing needs. If you’re ready to give this trend a go, here’s what you need to know:
Stay Consistent
To see results, you need to stay consistent. Committing to a specific routine is essential to experiencing the skin cycling trend for what it is and allowing your skin to reap the benefits.
Don’t Forget The Essentials
Even though skin cycling only focuses on exfoliants and retinol, don’t forget the other essentials in your routine. A daily moisturizer and a gentle cleanser are must-haves for every nighttime routine.
Look for Gentle Ingredients
Look for clean, gentle ingredients when selecting an exfoliant and retinol formula for your skin cycling routine. Avoid unwanted added ingredients like sulfates, alcohol, and fragrances, especially if you have sensitive skin.
