Skin cycling is the new facial care concept that is sweeping social media. A shock treatment to restore the skin that consists of following a four-day routine. Too good to be true? We tell you the pros and cons of this viral trend so you can form your own opinion.
What is Skin Cycling?
Created by a dermatologist with thousands of followers on TikTok, skin cycling is based on an intensive four-night facial care regimen. The first night an exfoliant is used, the second a product with retinoids, and finally two nights of rest, with soothing ingredients. All designed to create a shock effect on the skin, but with a simple routine of few steps.
Is it suitable for everyone?
In my opinion, skin cycling does not seem suitable for everyone, especially if you suffer from sensitive skin. It is based on known ingredients that are repeated throughout the week, and many of them are linked to strong allergic reactions. Furthermore, despite allowing for a rest period, it is still insufficient after the initial aggression. The long-term effects and potential negative impact on skin health would need to be observed.
However, if you have normal skin and are looking for immediate radiance, this new "trend" could be a quick shortcut. This routine removes mature cells from our skin, revealing cells that until recently were covered in deeper layers. If, on the other hand, we are concerned about skin blemishes, we have to wait longer, as it depends a lot on a complete cell turnover, for which the skin requires an average of 3 months.
The true skin cycle...
The skin has its own cycle, called the cell cycle. During a 28-day process, the youngest cells migrate to the more superficial layers of our epidermis. In this process, they differentiate from each other and also change their composition. There is nothing accidental in this process, with the most mature cells eventually shedding naturally, but acting as a barrier and providing key molecules to our hydrolipidic film. For me, it is essential to honor the natural rhythm of the skin and not overuse exfoliation. Otherwise, a myriad of skin problems can occur.
For healthy skin...
The three basic pillars for healthy skin are: elasticity, hydration and the appropriate pH, which is usually around 5. In addition, I always emphasize listening to the skin and providing the most recommended ingredients and products. Gentle cleansing is a must, free of surfactants. At the same time, moisturizing it with compatible ingredients present in our skin makes sense.
An alternative routine to skin cycling...
At night, for cleansing, I propose two natural alternatives to exfoliation: Clementine Cleansing Balm which penetrates pores and dissolves trapped dirt, or Charcoal Peace Calming Cleanser as an alternative to chemical exfoliation due to its high content of clays and activated charcoal.
As a natural version of retinols, there is Ideal Rebalancing Level Serum, with its eudermic pH, prebiotics that help maintain a healthy skin microbiome, and a boost of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid to keep skin elastic and hydrated, along with a blend of polysaccharides and antioxidants that neutralize free radical damage and reduce water loss from the most superficial layers.
To strengthen the barrier, there are also two options: Intelligent Frontier Facial Oil, which stimulates the production of filaggrin, a key protein for proper skin function, or Nutritive Repair Emulsion, rich in linoleic acid, an essential component to keep the barrier intact.
