Expert Guide: What is Skin Cycling?

With skincare trends constantly flooding social media and an ever-growing list of must-have ingredients, it’s tempting to want to try everything at once.

But overloading your skin with too many products may actually do more harm than good.

That doesn’t mean you have to miss out on what’s new.

One trend I, as a face specialist, can confidently recommend is skin cycling, a simple, structured approach to skincare.

Keep reading to learn my guide to what skin cycling is, how it works, and why it has become such a buzzworthy topic in the beauty world.

What is Skin Cycling?

Skin cycling is a skincare trend that’s gained popularity for its structured, minimalist approach to using active ingredients.

Instead of layering multiple powerful products in one night, skin cycling spaces them out over a four-night rotation.

The cycle typically alternates between exfoliating acids, retinoids, and recovery-based formulas that focus on moisturizing and repair.

This method helps prevent product overload, minimizes irritation, and reduces the risk of ingredient conflicts, while still allowing you to enjoy the benefits of potent actives.

By giving your skin time to rest and recover, skin cycling offers a gentler, more sustainable way to build an effective routine.

What Does Skin Cycling Do?

The concept comes from allowing your complexion to gradually acclimatize to active ingredients without compromising the skin barrier.

We understand the temptation to test every trending product that hits the shelves, but overloading your skin with actives like exfoliating acids and retinoids may lead to barrier damage.

By adopting a skin cycling routine, you’re giving your complexion time to rest and recover between exfoliation and skincare.

This not only works to support proper repair and rejuvenation but also helps to reduce the risk of sensitivity and irritation that may be a result from daily use of potent actives.

How to Create a Skin Cycling Routine

The skin cycling routine is designed around a gentle four-day rhythm, making consistency effortless.

Start with your regular nighttime routine, this may include makeup removal and double cleansing, or a single cleanse if preferred, then proceed with the specific skin cycling steps outlined below.

Night One: Exfoliation

To begin your cycle, night one starts with an exfoliator, typically AHA or BHAs to buff away dead skin cells and prime your complexion for the rest of your routine.

We offer a wide range of exfoliating formulas that you could choose from. For a gentle polish, opt for our Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser or if you’re looking for a deeper cleanse, look to our Enzymo-Spherides Peeling Cream which contains papaya and pineapple enzymes encapsulated in Spherulites.

Night Two: Retinoid

Retinoids are a powerhouse step in any skincare routine, offering multiple benefits for your complexion.

By regulating skin cell turnover, retinoids help support blemish-prone skin, fade hyperpigmentation, and soften fine lines and wrinkles while promoting a firmer-looking, more resilient base.

That’s why night two of the cycle is dedicated entirely to retinoids – the skin is exfoliated and prepped for actives but also has time to recover for the remaining cycle.

When introducing a retinoid, remember that less is more, especially if it’s your first time.

Starting gently allows your skin to adjust while minimizing the risk of irritation.

Our Micro-Retinol Essential Serum, infused with a potent blend of micro-retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and E, is an excellent choice. This formula works to moisturize, replump, and revitalize your complexion.

Simply apply a few drops to clean skin, massage gently until absorbed and finish with your favourite moisturizer.

Night Three & Four: Recovery

On nights three and four, give your skin a break from exfoliating acids and retinoids. This phase of your skin cycling routine is all about recovery.

Focus on renewing nutrients and supporting barrier repair by layering moisturizing serums and rejuvenating moisturizers.

Our Hyaluronic Acid Hydra-Serum is an excellent choice to draw in moisture, followed by a ceramide-rich moisturizer such as the Power Repair® Marine Collagen Cream, Lumafirm® Repair Cream – Lift & Glow, or RS2 Care Cream to help repair moisture and promote complexion recovery.

For an added boost, the Soothing Sensitive Skin Cream is another standout, enriched with skin-repairing lipids and deeply moisturizing essential fatty acids to strengthen and calm the skin barrier.