what is skin cycling? skin cycling is a skincare technique for when you alternate products to avoid side effects. the term was created by board certified dermatologist whitney bowe, MD.
it originated as a tiktok trend but it goes far beyond just that. it's a genuinely helpful method that helps get the most out of your skincare products.
Day 1 is the day for exfoliating your skin. You need to slough off all your dead skin cells in order for your products to be able to penetrate your skin and work effectively. Every night, you should do double cleansing. That’s a given. What you use to double cleanse varies based on your skin type and worries so that will be a separate blog post to help pinpoint exactly what to utilize.
After double cleansing comes the exfoliant. Using a gentle exfoliant prevents the need for washing. Go in with the cosrx AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner. This toner has willow bark water - a natural salicylic acid that also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, apple fruit water - full of antioxidants to combat free radicals, is hydrating, and brightening (not lightening!), glycolic acid - a highly effective aha, betaine salicylate - a gentler version of salicylic acid that also hydrates, 2 different humectants, and mineral water - a soothing water that also strengthens the skin barrier.
To finish off day 1, you will then go in with your favorite nighttime moisturizer or sleeping cream.
Start off with your double cleanse but skip the exfoliant today. Its especially important that you do this because today is retinol day. Retinol and exfoliants absolutely should not mix unless you adore the look of bright red lobster skin with a side of fire-like burning pain.
After you double cleanse and SKIP the exfoliant, go in with the innisfree retinol cica repair ampoule. This ampoule is anti-aging and skin renewing due to it’s retinol, beta carotene - a precursor to vitamin a, several centella asiatica extracts, and vitamin e. Hydrating and moisturizing thanks to hyaluronic acid, cholesterol (great for the skin!), glycerin, ceramide, and triglycerides. Supports and repairs skin barrier due to lecithin, ceremide, phytophengosine - a lipid that supports ceramides. Brightening from niacinamide and adenoside. Lastly, peptide support to boost skin elasticity and firmness.
Typically, you would use a retinoid like tretinoin. Tretinoin is a super ingredient but it may be too strong for most people starting out. But don’t get me wrong. Retinoids are better than retinols. Innisfree’s retinol just also has added benefits that wouldn’t be in tretinoin.
Go in with your favorite night cream once again.
Today’s the day you don’t have to worry about any actives. It's time to recover your skin. Go in with a hyaluronic acid serum, such as the torriden dive in serum. This serum is unlike any other hyaluronic acid serum; it’s low molecular weight to deeply hydrate the skin. Not only is it highly hydrating, it also promotes cell renewal and reduces fine lines and wrinkles due to it’s content of d-panthenol, allanoin, and madecassoside. Everyone loves it for a reason.
Go in with your favorite night cream again. The difference today is that you will also slug. What is slugging? To make a long story short, slugging is applying an occlusive layer to your skin as the final step in your nighttime skincare routine to create a barrier, preventing water loss. It can simply be done with petroleum jelly.
I know, i know. Petroleum jelly has a bad reputation but it genuinely won’t clog your skin. The molecules are much too big.
If it’s really not your thing, try aestura’s atobarrier 365 cream. It has 7 emollient and occlusive agents such as oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, carnauba wax extract, cyclopentasiloxane + cyclohexasiloxane - two occlusives that prevent water loss, etc. barrier repair which is important on recovery days is also included with ceramides and cholesterol. Slugging is meant to be petroleum jelly but aestura’s cream is the best substitute with added benefits.
You have completed your first cycle! Don’t forget that skin cycling is very customizable. You can add more retinol days to increase the benefits, more recovery days if your skin is sensitive, less recovery days if your skin can handle more actives. You can use sheet or face masks on recovery days.
Reap the benefits of skin cycling and get your dewy skin like your dew muse.
-xoxo dew diaries