What is skin cycling?
Complex skincare routines layering ingredient after ingredient not working for you? Let us introduce you to skin cycling! Skin cycling is an effective, comfortable and easy evening skincare routine that can be beneficial for all skin types. To explain simply, skin cycling routines involve a 4-day cycle where you apply different products on different evenings. Skin cycling is an evening or night time routine only, meaning your morning skincare routine can stay the same.
Adding targeted skincare ingredients into our routines often comes with conflicting and sometimes contradictory advice. This can understandably cause confusion, and result in people overapplying skincare formulas. Skin cycling provides a solution that makes applying effective skincare simpler and more effective. Keep reading to learn how to skin cycle, the benefits of skin cycling and what products you could include in a skin cycling routine.
How to skin cycle
Skin cycling is a type of skincare routine that includes exfoliating, applying a targeted skincare formula and then moisturising (recovery) on different days. When learning how to skin cycle, it’s important to remember that your morning skincare routine remains the same, and the targeted skincare ingredient you choose to apply at the start of the skin cycling method will depend on what’s best for your skin type. A typical 4-day skin cycling method usually looks like this:
Evening 1: use an exfoliant (physical or chemical).
Evening 2: apply your targeted skincare formula (often a serum, such as retinol, vitamin C or hyaluronic acid).
Evening 3: recovery, apply a moisturiser.
Evening 4: recovery, apply a moisturiser.
The above cycle repeats every four days, so on the fifth evening, you would be back to exfoliating again (unless your personal skin cycling routine is longer).
Below, we’ll outline the benefits of skin cycling and how to put it into action.
The benefits of skin cycling
Skin cycling was designed to simplify complex skincare routines. It removes a lot of the noise surrounding skincare that can become overwhelming or confusing.
Reduces discomfort
Skincare trends that lack clear instructions can cause people to apply skincare incorrectly. This often involves people over applying exfoliators or high concentration ingredients such as retinol, resulting in redness, dryness, or dullness. Learning how to skin cycle prevents common skincare mistakes by introducing products gradually.
Simplifies skincare
Although longer skincare routines (4-5 steps) can be effective, having a simple and easily understandable method can save you time and help you maintain a consistent routine. Skin cycling routines are approachable for skincare beginners and may be a pleasant adjustment for more experienced users. Like any skincare routine, it’s important we choose products that are best for our skin type and skincare goals.
Is skin cycling suitable for my skin type?
Skin cycling routines are beneficial for all skin types and may be especially useful for those with sensitive skin. An advantage of skin cycling is that it’s easily adjustable to suit individual needs. To achieve your skincare goals, you can either change the products you’re using or increase the amount of “recovery” days you need to support your skin.
If you have sensitive skin
Sensitive skin may benefit from a skin cycling routine the most, as the cycle slowly introduces targeted ingredients. Ingredients like retinol can cause discomfort to sensitive skin if applied too frequently. By applying once every four days (at least), this can help reduce the chance of discomfort for people with sensitive skin. This also gives time for the user to judge how their skin is feeling after applying a targeted ingredient. If your skin is still feeling sensitive on day 4, give yourself another recovery day, applying a moisturiser again rather than restarting the cycle. For sensitive skin users, we also recommend using a gentle exfoliator and moisturiser.
For other skin types, the process is the same. Aim for a 4-day skin cycle and if you feel your skin is feeling too sensitive, increase your “recovery” days.
Skin cycling routine
To learn how to skin cycle, you will need a face scrub (exfoliator), a targeted ingredient face serum and a moisturiser. And it’s recommended you use a face cleanser before each step of your skin cycle. At Garnier we have a variety of options for your skin cycling routine, no matter your skin type. And you can change your routine depending on how sensitive your skin feels. Keep reading for a range of great products to learn how to skin cycle.
Exfoliators
When learning how to start skin cycling, we suggest a gentle exfoliant like our Pure Active Anti-Blackhead Charcoal Exfoliating Gel. This exfoliator is great for those with oily or combination skin and will help unclog and visibly reduce your pores at the start of your skin cycle.
If you prefer using a serum to help improve skin texture, try AHA+BHA Charcoal Anti-Blemish Serum. This gentle serum is infused with niacinamide to balance and brighten, while gently exfoliating AHA and BHA target uneven texture and excess oil.
Targeted ingredients
If your skin needs support with hydration or moisture retention, then applying hyaluronic acid in the second phase of your skin cycling routine can help to rebalance your skin. Our Skin Active Hyaluronic Aloe Hydrating Serum imparts glycerin, aloe vera and hyaluronic acid to hydrate and improve elasticity.
Vitamin C has a range of benefits for our skin. It can visibly brighten dull skin; help diminish wrinkles and even provide antioxidant protection. The Vitamin C Brightening Night Serum is formulated with both vitamin C and hyaluronic acid and is suitable for all skin types.
Moisturisers
“Recovery” days are an important part of knowing how to skin cycle. Moisturising can boost the skin’s ability to repair itself, visibly reduce signs of ageing and maintain its natural balance. Skin Active Hyaluronic Aloe Hydrating Night Jelly Moisturiser is refreshing to apply and helps replump and rest the skin.
If you have combination or oily skin, use the Skin Active Vitamin C Brightening Glow Jelly Moisturiser. Its lightweight formula encourages fast absorption, quickly boosting radiance and glow.
Now that you’ve learnt how to skin cycle, discover how to protect your skin with a SPF facial mist.