We all love skincare. It is one of the ways to pamper ourselves and take care of our skin in the best manner.
With so many beauty trends coming in and out, taking care of your skin can be hard to get right. A variety of products from different brands, a multitude of facials, and cosmetic treatments might make it difficult for you to pick one and take the best care of your skin. But fret not! Some dermatologists on social media are trying to make things easier for you, educating you on what to opt for and what to ditch.
Recently, a board-certified dermatologist, Whitey Bowe, MD, shared her four-day skin cycling regimen on TikTok, which became the most trending topic among all skincare fanatics. According to her, skin cycling is an efficient way to dole out your actives and keep your skin well-maintained in the long run.
Let us know everything about skin cycling and whether this trend is worth trying or not.
What is Skin Cycling?
Skin cycling is a skin care regimen created by Dr. Whitey Bowe. She calls it a holistic approach to treating your skin and keeping it supple. According to her, skin cycling does two main things. Firstly, it helps to prevent irritation, and secondly, it helps you get the most out of your powerful active products.
Skin cycling is not only for those who have sensitive skin. Even if you can tolerate more intense actives, it will make your skin look flawless and glowing.
What Does Skin Cycling Include?
Skin cycling is a four-day cycle. Bowe doesn’t cycle her skin care in the morning. She keeps her AM regimen consistent. But when the night falls, she takes skin cycling very seriously and performs the following rituals.
Night 1 – Exfoliation
To start your skin-cycling routine, the dermatologist recommends using some kind of exfoliation. You can choose physical scrubs, AHA serums, and other similar products.
Exfoliation gives you an immediate glow and helps prepare your skin to get the most out of the other steps involved in this skincare routine. Exfoliation removes the layer of dead skin from your face, thus making it easy for subsequent actives to penetrate the skin better.
Night 2 – Retinol/Retinoids
The second step involves in this skin care regimen includes the application of retinol. There are many benefits of retinol. It helps reduce fine lines, eases dark spots, and evens your skin tone. Retinol also helps in promoting faster skin cell turnover.
The ingredient is a little buzzy, and you may feel some itching sensation during the first few applications. We advise you to explore a range of options to choose the one that suits your skin type. Retinol comes in different concentrations, from mild to strong. Some also include other gentler formulas such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and other elements suitable for sensitive skin.
Nights 3 and 4 – Recovery
The next two nights of skin cycling are recovery nights.
Bowe advises you to avoid exfoliating acids, retinoids, or other potentially irritating ingredients on these nights. All you need to do is to nourish your skin barrier with the help of ingredients like sunflower seed oil, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, glycerine, and Aloe Vera.
Stick to all the gentle ingredients that have the sole purpose of hydrating your skin.
Repeat the Cycle
After completing your first cycle, you will notice remarkable changes in the tone and texture of your skin. Your skin will feel like a baby skin with hydrating and nourishing ingredients.
You can now repeat the cycle with the same steps and instructions. But remember, not all skin types are the same. If you feel your skin needs more time to recover, take more time. You can dedicate an entire week to help your skin recover before repeating the cycle. It’s okay to tweak the schedule as per your skin requirements.
What are the Benefits of Skin Cycling?
Skin cycling has a plethora of benefits.
- This skincare method helps you reap the maximum benefits of exfoliants and retinoids you use on your skin. The cycle ensures you do not overdo these ingredients.
- According to Bowe, two groups of people will benefit the most from this routine – those overwhelmed by all the products and not sure where to start and those who already use great products but have reached a plateau.
- Skin cycling saves you from overdoing your skin with the actives as a part of this procedure is reserved to let your skin repair and recover.
- This skincare routine allows you to do little tweaks depending on your goals and skin type. Skin cycling has equal benefits for people with all skin types.
How Quickly Does This Procedure Work?
Dr. Bowe highlights you may start seeing the results of this skincare regimen after two cycles or eight days of following the routine. You can expect to see a healthier glow and overall radiance on your skin in the upcoming days. Your skin will feel and look more hydrated and softer to the touch.
The longer you run this cycle, the more differences you will notice in your skin and complexion.
Is Skin Cycling Suitable for Me?
Which skin types could best benefit from skin cycling is the million-dollar question!
As long as you tweak the regimen according to your skin type and choose the products after having a word with your dermatologist, skin cycling will benefit all skin types. It is vital to discuss the pros and cons of this skincare with your dermatologist before you take it into your daily practice.
Moreover, always choose good-quality products to start skin cycling. Research about the actives and choose the best brands to buy them.
The hashtag #skincycling has already boasted 14.2 million views on the social media platform. It allows skincare newbies and veterans alike to have a good skincare routine without extra effort. Knowing what ingredients best suit your skin, you can give this skincare routine a shot.
What are your thoughts on skin cycling? Tell us in the comments below. Keep in touch for more on health, skincare, and beauty.
