Four night ritual of \"skin cycling\" for flawless skin

Almost every day, a new trend sweeps through social media, wooing users to check out the latest products, services, advice, and looks. Skin care has recently gained popularity on social media, and many people desire to have naturally bright skin without having to use a lot of makeup. Dermatologists and celebrities have flooded social media with advice on how to get flawless skin. As a result, we discovered skin cycling.

Skin cycling is a systematic approach aimed at achieving the best results from a skincare routine with the fewest adverse effects.

THE CONCEPT

Whitney Bowe, a New York-based dermatologist with over one million TikTok followers, coined the term "Skin Cycling." The procedure involves spacing out the active ingredients used in routine care. “Skin care must be determined by characteristics such as age, worries, and the skin's 'needs.' Many active elements  may be used in a routine. Using too many of them at once, or too much of even a few of them, or too frequent use, can all result in making your skin sensitive. It’s a good idea to have some rules in place,” says Dr Priyanka Reddy, founder and chief dermatologist at DNA Skin Clinic. (An active ingredient is the substance in a product that addresses the skin condition it is designed to treat.)

Dr Priyanka Reddy, founder and chief dermatologist at DNA Skin Clinic

EXFOLIATION, RETINOIDS AND RECOVERY

In skin cycling, you consciously reduce the amount of active ingredients such as salicylic acid, retinol, and vitamin C. "It's a four-night skincare cycle that involves exfoliating one night, using retinoids the next, and then letting your skin recover for two nights before repeating," says Dr. Navnit Haror, Founder & Director of Derma Miracle Clinic. “This allows your skin to benefit from the active ingredients while preventing skin damage or irritation."

Dr. Navnit Haror, Founder & Director of Derma Miracle Clinic

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

"Excessive use of retinol and other exfoliants for an extended period of time may hurt your skin and make it more sensitive to irritation. If you have sensitive skin, you should use them with caution because they contain harsh substances," advises Dr. Haror.

There is no universal protocol that works for everyone. "It's frightening how many individuals simply buy cosmetics containing actives in percentages that can hurt the skin if not used correctly. So, instead of following trends, do what's best for your skin," is Dr. Priyanka’s suggestion.  

THE PROS OF THE PROCEDURE

Ease of use and low cost are two advantages of skin cycling.

 "It is a safe and effective way for folks who are having difficulty finding a decent skin routine. Applying too much of any skincare product throughout the week might have an impact on your skin. Overlapping products on the same day might cause  problems such as redness, inflammation, or peeling skin," warns Dr. Abhishek Pilani, MD Dermatologist and Founder of Assure Clinic. Skin cycling can benefit people of all skin types. "You can also tailor your cycles to your specific requirements,” Dr Pilani says" People with excessively oily skin, for example, may benefit from a three-day regimen that includes one night of recuperation before returning to exfoliation. If you have eczema or rosacea, you can modify your skincare programme by include an extra recovery night," he explains.

Dr. Abhishek Pilani, MD Dermatologist and Founder of Assure Clinic

Night One: Exfoliate - The first night of skin cycling is dedicated to exfoliation. Use a chemical exfoliator that is extremely gentle. Exfoliation aids in the removal of dead skin cells and pore-clogging debris, leaving your skin smoother and more even.

Second Night: Retinol - The second night of the skin cycling programme is dedicated to the use of retinol. After cleansing your skin, use  retinol – a Vitamin A derivative that is useful for treating acne and age spots, and stimulating collagen synthesis. To prevent irritation, avoid applying any other chemicals along with it.

Nights three and four: Recovery - Allow your skin to mend and recover after exfoliating and using retinol. For the next two days, stay away from exfoliators and active substances. During the recuperation time, you can hydrate and nourish your skin with products such as hyaluronic acid, glycerine, peptides and so on.

After two nights of healing, begin exfoliation again and repeat the cycle.