The Ultimate Skin Cycling Guide

Skincare trends are always in our faces, and skin cycling is the rave of the moment. Either you have come across this skincare trend on Instagram or among skincare influencers on TikTok. There are over 122 million videos of skin cycling on TikTok. In today’s article, we will guide you through everything about skin cycling. Is it something you should be trying? What skin is the right one to go through cycling? These and many more will be in this article. Ready to understand how skin cycling works and get a step-by-step guide?

Let’s get right into it!

What is skin cycling?

Skin cycling means giving your night time routine an entire revamp. It is a routine that prioritises rest days so your skin can repair itself. It is a way of removing products that cause skin irritation and retaining active ingredients that give results in your evening time skincare routine. It can be seen as skinimalsim because it requires fewer products and focuses on simplicity. Our skin goes through repairs and treatment at night; therefore, the products we use in our night time routine matter. With skin cycling, less is better. The term “cycling”, in this skin care routine context, refers to the products you use and not your skin. The fun thing about a skin cycling routine is that you can curate your regime yourself. When you understand the benefits of skin cycling and how it works, it is easier to create a skin cycling calendar for yourself. It involves dedicating about four nights to routines and regimes to help your skin enjoy the benefits of skin cycling. You might notice breakouts during the first few days of skin cycling, and that is nothing to panic about.

What skin type is skin cycling for?

Before you hop on a skincare trend, it is best to know your skin type and if this routine will work for you. Since retinoid is the main ingredient for skin cycling, people with acne-prone and sensitive skin should skipthe recovery day of skin cycling. You can also tweak the routine depending on the choice of products (check Mayan Magic Soaps) you use for this routine. The best way to enjoy the benefits of skin cycling is by using products your skin reacts positively to.

The ultimate skin cycling routine

Here are procedures to follow for the four night skin cycling routine.

1. Night One: The first night is for exfoliation. When we exfoliate the skin, we get rid of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. Exfoliating the skin during the first night of skin cycling allows your skin to be ready for the active ingredients you will add. When the skin is properly exfoliated, other products can penetrate deeply into the skin cells. While it is advisable to use a chemical exfoliator to avoid redness and irritation, you can also use a physical exfoliator but make sure you scrub gently. With the exfoliation out of the way on the first night, you are ready for the second night of your skin cycling routine.

2. Night Two: The second night of skin cycling is for retinoids. Retinoid is an active ingredient that comes from vitamin A. It is an anti-aging agent that reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles from the skin. It gives an even tone because while applying retinoids, we stimulate our blood vessels. Retinoid is the holy grail of skin cycling. If you have sensitive skin, it is best to use a product that contains a safe amount of retinol. With the skin properly exfoliated from the previous night, you will gain all the benefits of using retinoid on the second night. The first step before applying retinoid on the second night is to cleanse your face. It is best to moisturise the sensitive parts of your skin before using the retinoid.

When this is done, notice how your skin reacts to the product. Sometimes retinoids are very drying. If you have dry skin or notice your skin feels dry after using retinoid, apply another batch of moisturiser. If you have skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or acne, it is best to use a retinol product based on a dermatologist’s recommendation. This is because the application of retinoid will cause irritation to your skin. Now you are done with the second night, it is time to get into the third stage of skin cycling.

3. Night Three: For some people, the third night is the same as recovery night. However, for others, the third night is focusing on super hydrating moisturisers or serums. The third night is for avoiding irritating ingredients and focusing on what will nourish the microbiome of the skin. Remember that the routine you follow on the third day depends on your skin type.

4. Night Four: The fourth night is for recovery. It is the day you let your skin breathe. If you are keen on having a skincare treatment on this night, you can use a face oil or serum.

One thing to know is that the results obtained from skin-cycling differs from one person to another. It all depends on your skin type and the products in your pre-cycling routine. You can use a face mask with exfoliating properties during the face night of skin-cycling. If you’re using a physical exfoliator, go easy with the scrubbing to avoid irritation and damages. Use your exfoliator in a circular motion.

How often should I practice skin cycling?

Skin cycling is a 3-4 night routine. You will start to notice results from the second night of your routine. You can practice skin-cycling once every month, this also depends on how your skin responds after the first four nights. Remember that you will experience blotchiness and sensitivity in the first two nights, this is normal and should not discourage you.

Skin-cycling makes your skin more hydrated and keeps it softer. If you notice any reactions, please see a dermatologist.

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