Skin cycling has been a TikTok viral trend worldwide. But is it worth the hype? What do dermatologists suggest? Should you be doing skin cycling?
Well, the answers might be complex. The four-night skincare regime has its advantages and disadvantages, which vary from person to person. Dermatologist Whitney Bowe designed this regime, and the TikTok era made the regime gain popularity.
Table of Contents
What is skin cycling?
It is a four nights skincare routine while two nights of treatment and two nights of recovery. It not only helps the skin to exfoliate and recover but also helps it to rejuvenate and regrow. This ultimate skincare regime helps provide a break to the skin from active ingredients and skin detoxification.
How does skin cycling works?
The whole regime is divided into 3 parts,
Day 1 – Exfoliation
Day 2 – Retinoid
Day 3 and 4 – Recovery
To understand better,
Day 1: Exfoliation
This night is designated for exfoliation. Clear your pores, say goodbye to dead and dull skin, and hello to healthy skin. Start cleansing your face with a chemical-free, gentle facewash and pat dry the skin. Use a toner next to create a layer. Now comes the exciting part: use a mechanical scrub or a chemical exfoliator with alpha or beta hydroxy acids, and leave it on. Your exfoliator shouldn’t bother your skin; if you feel a burning sensation, wash it off immediately. End the exfoliation process with a moisturizer and sleep tight.
Day 2: Retinoid
Retinoid or Retinol is a compound made from Vitamin A. Retinol is a less aggressive formula suitable for thin, dry, and sensitive skin. In contrast, a prescription-strength retinoid is suitable for oily and thick skin. Retinoid is a rich formula, and certain precautions are preferred for people who are new to this. Start by cleansing your face the same way as Day 1, then go for moisturizing cream for the sensitive parts of your face to prevent dryness; now apply Retinoid to the face and neck. Lastly, apply a hydrating moisturizer to end day 2.
The sandwich method is one of the best formulas to apply Retinoid in your skin cycling routine. Dermatologists suggest applying a moisturizer before and after Retinoid, creating a sandwich of moisturizers. It will reduce the aggressive effect of Retinoids, keeping your skin safe and bringing out the positive effects of retinoids simultaneously.
Day 3 and 4: Recovery
Now that your skin has undergone exfoliation and Retinoids, it’s time for repairs and recovery.
The same process has been followed for the last two days, Cleanse-Tone-Mosturize. Avoid the exfoliator and Retinoid part in the process and allow your skin to recover from all the chemicals it observed in the last two days. No active ingredients are on the scene for these recovery days, and that should include fragrance-free, chemical-free products and safe for the skin.
Do dermatologists recommend Skin cycling?
Skin cycling is not a mere TikTok trend but a skincare regime suggested by dermatologists. Numerous benefits of skin cycling help your skin grow healthy and smooth. Skin cycling helps repair the skin barrier, reducing chemical-based skin care side effects, and protecting the skin from seasonal dryness, climatic change effects, and any skin conditions.
At the beginning of using retinoids, a few people might feel minor side effects such as dryness, irritation, or inflammation, but that’s because they are new to this regime. That’s why a good hydrating moisturizer is suggested before using any new formula.
While some dermatologists feel skin cycling is not an effective and healthy skin care method in the long run, famous New York dermatologist Bowe invented this classic regime and reacted well to the response he received for this regime. He says that after he shared his video on Skin-cycling, his social media was by storm. He received mixed feedback and admitted that half of the population was surprised to know such a skincare regime.
To conclude, skin cycling is a concept that effectively responds to most of the population after people have realized the worth of healthier skin. It is a practical approach that helps skin grow and show a healthier image.
