Skin cycling | Why is better and how it can simplify your routine

Building the proper routine might seem a little bit overwhelming with today’s many skin care products. You have to be careful when it comes to combining different products, you have to stick to the correct order when applying them and all the other things you have to take into consideration can make you give up at all. Trust me, I’ve been there,

It doesn’t have to be like like this. There are simple ways to improve your skin and believe it or not, fewer products can actually have the most significant impact when it comes to your skin texture and overall look.

PIN ME FOR LATER

Ok, but what is skin cycling?

Skin cycling is a skin-care routine that allows for “rest days” during the week, so that your skin can repair itself after using certain products. This can help prevent irritation and inflammation”

It is applied especially to your nighttime routine as many of the products are required to use at night. Make sure though, to use an SPF every day.

How should I do this?

If you want to introduce skin cycling into your everyday life, just decide on the main products you are using. By this, I am referring to retinol, peeling solutions, acne treatments, etc (for me, these products are a retinol cream and a peeling lotion).

Start your skin cycling with an “Exfoliating day” as it preps your skin for absorbing all the products for the next day. The second day is for retinoids – make sure you chose the right one for your skin type. The third day is a “moisturizer day” so make sure you use every lotion, essence, or cream that you like. The fourth day is optional and I really don’t use it. On this day many prefer to take a break from using anything or just use a light moisturizer. It’s up to you if you need a fourth day or if you are good with three as I am.

Here is, for example, my current skin cycling routine

If you are having acne, as I often do, make sure to add an extra day for your treatment, or incorporate it into your everyday routine. I get my pimples one or two times a month and as I use a spot treatment I can apply it most of the night I need it, but if you are using a stronger product, please check if it is compatible with any other product you put on your face. Some acne treatments don’t react well to retinol or an exfoliating product and can cause irritation.

What skin cycling can do for your skin

It can repair your skin barrier. Heavy retinoids or over-exfoliating can lead to a damaged skin barrier, so taking small steps towards improving the aspect of your skin might be the best thing to do. Experiment carefully and introduce new creams and ingredients with patience. Find out what works best for your type of skin;
It might reduce the negative impacts of combining the ingredients as many of the products should not be mixed together. Choosing a day for each one can help you avoid irritation or other skin problems;
It minimizes waste. I used to buy a lot of products and end up not using them so in December 2022, I decided to downsize my skincare collection and only really on some products. Skin cycling simplified my routine and made sure I get to use every product I own now;
It’s easier to keep track of. Using more products can lead to you not knowing what comes next. Reserving a certain day for a certain product can help you keep track of your products better. You can easily mark the days in your calendar or planner and refer back in case you forget what day it is;