What Is Skin Cycling And Should You Try It?

 

Skin cycling refers to the practice of alternating which skin care products you use in order to avoid unwanted side effects, such as irritation and dryness.¹

 The term skin cycling was coined by Whitney Bowe, MD–a board-certified dermatologist who popularized the concept on TikTok. It involves switching up your skin care routine to give your face a much-needed break from potentially harsh active ingredients.

Learn more about skin cycling, including how it works, the potential benefits and downsides, and if it's right for you.

How Skin Cycling Works

According to Nkem Ugonabo, MD, MPH, a board-certified and fellowship-trained

dermatologist who works at Unionderm in New York City, skin cycling typically involves creating a skin care routine with “a four-night cycle of key products … to achieve the benefits of the products with less irritation to the skin.” Rather than applying the same products to your skin every day, you’ll alternate products and give your skin up to two nights of rest in between. 

An example of a common skin cycling routine might be as follows:

An example of a common skin cycling routine might be as follows:

• Day 1: Using a chemical exfoliant containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) (like glycolic acid and lactic acid) or beta hydroxy acids (BHA) (like salicylic acid) to remove the top layers of dead skin² 
• Day 2: Applying a vitamin A-based retinoid product such as retinol or tretinoin to treat acne and dark spots, improve texture, and/or prevent the effects of aging³ 
• Days 3 and 4: Using only a gentle facial cleanser, lightweight sunscreen, and moisturizer to give your skin a rest
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Benefits of Skin Cycling

Dr. Ugonabo told Health that the primary goal of skin cycling is to help skin with the tolerability of active ingredients, such as retinoids as well as lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids. “It can be helpful for people who have tried to use these products concurrently but were not able to tolerate it," she said.

Overall, the potential benefits of skin cycling may include protecting the skin barrier, preventing unwanted side effects from skin care products, and avoiding dry and irritated skin.

Protecting the Skin Barrier

The skin barrier (epidermis), or the outermost layer of the skin, performs several important functions. It helps your skin stay hydrated by locking in moisture and protects your skin from environmental irritants, ultraviolet rays, and allergens. 

Preventing Unwanted Side Effects

Many effective skin care products come with unwanted side effects, such as irritation. For example, many people who use retinol report that they experience “retinol burn”—which causes red, hyperpigmented, hot, tender, flaky, and/or peeling skin.

Avoiding Dry Skin

If you tend to have dry, sensitive skin or live in an arid climate, skin cycling may give your skin care routine a boost. Many popular products that treat acne, discoloration, and signs of aging also lead to dry skin.⁸ You may be able to avoid drying out your skin by reaching for gentle cleanser and moisturizers on your skin cycling “rest days.”

Downsides of Skin Cycling

While skin cycling has many potential benefits, it may not work for everyone. If you have a specific skin condition that requires consistent treatment, skin cycling could render your products less effective. 

Who Should Try Skin Cycling?

Anyone who has experienced skin irritation and other unwanted side effects from skin care products in the past, but who would still like to create a daily skin care routine, may benefit from skin cycling.

It may also help you if you’d like to streamline your daily self-care routine. Rather than relying on complicated, multi-step processes with a ton of products, you can use skin cycling to strip your daily regimen down and keep it simple. 

If you have certain skin conditions that involve redness, dryness, itching, or swelling, such as eczema, you might also consider giving skin cycling a try.¹⁰ “People who are beginning [a skin care routine or are] new to active ingredients, as well as patients with sensitive skin and rosacea, would likely benefit the most," Dr. Ugonabo said.

-Health