The fear that there may be a right way and a wrong way to care for your skin keeps many ladies from picking up a serum or moisturizer. Developing an entire routine from scratch is also not an easy task. From peels to face masks, the market is crowded. Maybe that's why skin cycling has taken the beauty scene by storm over the last year. This technique has helped countless younger and older women start, revise, and optimize their skin care routine because it literally takes it step by step.
The term “skin cycling” was coined by US dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe coined. Bowe spent over a year developing skin cycling routines for her patients before she first shared them on social media - but what is it?
With skin cycling, the active ingredients are replaced in a three to four day cycle to avoid irritation. This is especially helpful for those new to chemical peels or retinol, or for those who tend to overdo a product (we've all been there). Everything is easy with Skin Cycling and the best part is that it is very customizable.
How long should you use this beauty method?
When it comes to the duration of use, you canYour skin care routinerepeat or change over time. Skin cycling can also be used continuously, depending on how your skin reacts to the active ingredients applied.
Who Should Try the Skin Cycling Trend?
If you're looking to add retinol, an exfoliant, or another potentially irritating product to your beauty routine, skin cycling might be worth considering. Another group that could benefit from this? Younger andolder womenThose with sensitive skin can also benefit from this beauty trend. When several active ingredients are combined, there is a risk that they may cause skin irritation, so changing the products daily can make them better tolerated.
If you have a skin condition such as acne or rosacea, talk to your dermatologist to customize your skin care regimen, especially if you take prescription medications for your skin. The typical skin cycling routine may also not be ideal for someone who already uses an exfoliating product every day without causing irritation (which might be the case for someone with oily or acne-prone skin).
Skin Cycling – Benefits
Cyclic skin care can be very effective because it gives your face a chance to recover between treatments. If you allow your skin to have “rest days”,you can achieve improvements, without causing irritation or damage to the skin barrier. Skin cycling is an easy-to-use routine that is particularly suitable for women who are sensitive and cannot tolerate harsh ingredients in everyday life.
Observe treatment steps
You should alternate the following treatment steps in your routine. Regardless, cleansing and moisturizing are a must on any given night. This changes just one step in your nightly skincare routine.
- Night 1 – Peeling
This is the night of exfoliation - so prepare to cleanse your pores and slough away dead, dull skin. Cleanfirst your facewith a gentle detergent and pat your skin dry. Then Dr. recommends Bowe a chemical peel that is left on the skin, for example a serum that contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids. You should avoid mechanical peeling with abrasive particles as it tends to be aggressive when used on the face. Peels should not cause painful burning or immediate inflammation. If this happens to you, wash it off as quickly as possible. Finish it all off with a moisturizer before bed.
- Night 2 – Retinoid
Retinoids, which accelerate skin cell turnover, are vitamin A-based skin care products used to treat mild acne, fade hyperpigmentation and scarring, and reducefine lines and wrinklescan contribute. Retinoids are one of the most powerful ingredients to include in your skincare routine. Cleanse your face first and make sure it is 100% dry before applying the retinoid. A pea-sized amount of product is enough for your entire face. If you've never used a retinoid before, first apply a light layer of a simple moisturizer to sensitive areas (under the eyes, around the corners of the mouth, at the base of the nostrils, and on the neck). Then apply your retinoid and finish your facial care routine with another layer of moisturizer.
- Night 3 and 4 – moisturizing serums and creams
Now you should take the rest nights slowly. You can simply cleanse your face and apply hydrating serums or moisturizers that do not contain active ingredients like the ones mentioned above. Look for fragrance-free products that contain skin-repairing additives like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. In this case, it's okay if your skin is a little damp.
