SKIN CYCLING
“So you don’t burn your skin off!”
If you’ve never heard of skin cycling, this may be a total game changer for you and your skincare routine. It’s simply a way of spreading out your stronger actives in between hydrating and calmer days. By rotating your products, you reap the full benefits without compromising your skin barrier. (Skin Cycling ONLY refers to the nighttime routine. Minor adjustments will be made to the daytime routine when needed)
Check my Skin Cycling Routine Below!
Night 1 – Exfoliation
This is your first “active” product in your nighttime routine.
Chemical exfoliants work WAY BETTER than physical exfoliants. And essentially the reason that we need to exfoliate is to get rid of the dead skin cells and make room for fresh, clean skin underneath.
- Physical = Scrubs or any products with granules that feel rough or like sand. Essentially, these tiny particles that you are rubbing across the surface of your face are tearing the skin. It’s incredibly irritating and doesn’t achieve what your ultimate goal is in the first place, which is to removed dead skins cells effectively but gently.
- Chemical = These are acids/liquids that are applied with a cotton pad or your fingers that gently remove the dead skin cells without any pulling or tearing. They are super effective. Sometimes they are strong and can be irritating when you first start using them. Introduce them slowly and don’t exfoliate more than 2 times per week. Over exfoliation will strip your skin and cause breakouts.
Night 2 – Retinol
This is the “work horse” of your nighttime routine. This step includes your other “active” product. Your products are doing a job on your skin while you sleep, and you are going to reap the benefits.
What exactly is RETINOL?
- a form of vitamin A, is an ingredient added to skin creams, lotions and serums.
- has anti-aging effects and can help clear acne, scars, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and large pores.
- increases skin cell production.
- reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher, plump appearance.
- takes several weeks before you see an improvement in skin.
- requires you to wear sunscreen daily to not damage fresh skin.
- is very strong and needs to be introduced slowly into your skincare routine to build up tolerance.
- Products containing retinol are widely available over-the-counter, and stronger concentrations of retinoids are available by prescription.
Night 3 – Recovery
This night is all about hydration, hydration, hydration. The two nights of actives before have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to repair damages and bring your “better” skin forward. Now, it’s time for you to feed your face with products that are going to calm and restore.
- no “active” ingredients
- hydrating toners (no alcohol)
- hydrating face masks
- rich night creams
Night 4 – Retinol (again)
Once you’ve built up your tolerance for this “miracle” product, it will appear in your routine 2 times a week. I like to use 2 different types of retinols and alternate them throughout my skin cycling.
Night 5 – Recovery (again)
After getting “work done” on your face from the retinol the night before, it is once again time to pamper your skin and pour some hydration back in.
Now that we’ve established what “skin cycling” is, let’s focus on our morning routine.
Morning Routine
- Cleanse with warm water
- Toner
- Vitamin C serum
- Thermal Water
- Hyaluronic Acid serum
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen
nighttime routine
*The routines change based upon the night in the skin cycle* (See above)
Night 1
- Cleanse
- Chemical Exfoliant
- Niacinamide Serum
- Moisturizer
Nights 2 & 4
- Cleanse
- Retinol
- Face oil serum
- Moisturizer
Nights 3 & 5
- Cleanse
- Hydrating face mask
- Niacinamide serum
- Moisturizer
*Shop my Favorite Cleansers*
Cetaphil
Daily Facial Cleanser
Cetaphil
Gentle Skin Cleanser
CeraVe
Acne foaming cream cleanser
* Shop my Favorite Toners*
Neutrogena
Rapid Clear 2-in-1 Fight and Fade Toner
The Inkey List
Glycolic Acid Toner
Neutrogena
alcohol free toner
*Shop my Favorite Vitamin C*
CeraVe
Vitamin C Serum 10%
Neutrogena
Rapid Tone Repair Serum Capsules 20%
Skinceuticals
C E Ferulic Vitamin C Serum
*Shop my Favorite Serums*
L’oreal Paris
Bright Reveal 12% Niacinamide+amino sulfonic+ferulic
L’oreal Paris
Revitalift 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic acid
The Ordinary
Buffet – Multi peptide Serum
*Shop my Favorite Chemical Exfoliants*
Paula’s Choice
Skin perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – Salicylic Acid
Carrot & Stick
The Exfoliating Peel
The Ordinary
AHA 30%+BHA 2% Peeling Solution
*Shop my Favorite Moisturizers*
Paul’s Choice
Barrier Repair Advanced Moisturizer
L’oreal Paris
Midnight Cream
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid Water gel moisturizer
*Shop my Favorite Sunscreens*
La Roche-Posay
Anthelios SPF 50 spray
Elta MD
UV Clear SPF 46
La Roche-Posay
Mineral SPF 50
* Shop my Favorite Retinols*
Avene
Retrinal Creme .05%
Prescription Tretinoin
.1%
Neutrogena
Rapid Wrinkle Repair regenerating cream accelerated retinol SA
*Shop my Miscellaneous Favorites*
L’oreal Paris
Revitalift eye cream
The Ordinary
Caffeine Solution 5%
La Roche-Posay
Thermal Spring Water
*Shop my Favorite Acne Products*
HanHoo
Extra Strength Blemish Patches Non-Medicated Hydrocolloid
Differin Gel
Adapalene Gel .1% Acne Treatment
Zapzyt
Pore Treatment Gel 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Medication
*Shop my Favorite lip Products*
Vaseline
Lip Therapy – Cocoa Butter
Aquafor
Healing ointment
Carmex
Comfort Care Lip balm with Beeswax – Peppermint
