Should You Try Skin Cycling? Experts Explain the Viral TikTok Beauty Trend

May 2024 · 4 minute read

In a sea of many TikTok skincare trends, there's one that even the most skeptical among us can get behind. We're talking, of course, about skin cycling.

Though the term is relatively new, the practice itself isn't. Coined by New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, skin cycling is the method of rotating your nighttime skincare routine so that you can enjoy the benefits of exfoliation and retinoids while minimizing the possibility of negative side effects.

"The popularity of skincare and active ingredients has exploded with mostly good results, but there are many people who are overdoing it, or who have more sensitive skin and have been struggling with actives in their routine," says Hadley King, MD, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. "So this cycling idea allows for the benefits of the actives while keeping it all more tolerable, decreasing the risk for irritation."

Skin cycling is particularly beneficial for those with sensitive skin, though Dr. King says anyone can try it and customize the routine to fit their needs. There are very few downsides — if any at all — with the exception that you might not be optimizing retinoids at their fullest potential.

Incorporating this concept into your routine is fairly simple. For the first night, you'll focus on exfoliation. The second night is when you use your retinoid. Then nights three and four are about recovering, where you give your skin a break and focus on moisturizing.

So if you have yet to try skin cycling yourself and need some help getting started, we've got you. See below for the ultimate step-by-step guide.

Day 1: Exfoliation

You'll want to focus on exfoliating the skin for the first day. After you cleanse your face, Dr. King says to opt for a chemical exfoliation to slough away dead skin and prep the skin for retinoid use the next day. You'll then follow that up with a moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.

 Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, agrees and recommends using a glycolic acid like the SkinCeuticals Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight, which will also stimulate collagen and hyaluronic acid production.

Day 2: Retinoid

As you may already know, retinol is a superhero anti-aging ingredient that stimulates collagen and enhances skin cell turnover for smoother and brighter skin. But, it can come with some harsh side effects, like redness and dryness.

For the second night of your skin cycle, you'll want to pick a retinol that your skin type can tolerate. Dr. Zeichner recommends something like the YSE Last Call Retinol Serum, which he says contains a stabilized form of pure retinol that is balanced with niacinamide and fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin.

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Day 3: Moisturizing (And Recovery)

The third day is all about recovery. You'll want to give your skin a reset by focusing on moisture and avoiding using harsh ingredients. Dr. Zeichner recommends something like the Eucerin Q-10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream, which is rich in shea butter, vitamin E, and soothing oils to protect the skin barrier. It also has a potent antioxidant to protect the skin from environmental aggressors.

Day 4: Repeat and Customize

While generally, the last day is just a repeat of day three, both Dr. King and Dr. Zeichner say that you can customize the routine to best suit your skin needs. "You may need more recovery nights in the winter, fewer in the summer," says Dr. King. "If you've been using retinoids for a long time and your skin reacts well, you may be able to use them more often."

"The backbone to any skin cycling regimen is to alternate nights between active ingredients and/or recovery days where you allow the skin to repair itself from any inflammation from the active," says Dr. Zeichner. "There is no single way to skin cycle, so you need to tailor your routine to your particular needs, the ingredients you are using, and to what your skin can tolerate."

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