Skin Cycling - TikToks Newest Trend

Skin cycling. You may have heard of it through social media and it may have piqued your interest. For those that don't know, skin cycling is a method developed by dermatologist Whitney Bowe, a four-part nightly skincare routine that's designed to put less emphasis on exfoliation and help those with hormonal skin issues and help prevent breakouts.

Why Was Skin Cycling Created?

After noticing that the world of skincare was becoming overly complicated with all kinds of products, cleansers, serums, moisturizers, etc., Dr. Bowe set out to create a simplistic, yet strategic routine that could integrate the great benefits of both exfoliants and retinoids. 

"Upon listening to my patients and examining how their skin was reacting to different skin-care routines, I saw the need to streamline the skin-care routine of my patients to optimize their skin health."

Night One - Exfoliate

On night one, a simple cleanse and pat-dry is in order. After cleansing, apply an exfoliate, preferably a leave-on rather than a wash-off and be sure to shoot for products with exfoliating acids, as they're more effective.

After exfoliating, pay attention to your skin. Does it burn? Wash it off right away. Is it tingling? That's okay, but make sure to allow the tingling to subside before applying a moisturizer of your choice. That's it!

Night Two - Retinoids

Night two calls for another cleanse and pat-dry. Remember, damp skin may cause irritation and we don't want that. If you have sensitive skin, a nice tip is to apply a small amount of moisturizer under the eyes and around the edges of the nose and mouth, as these areas are most sensitive to retinoids. This acts as a buffer when you finally do apply the product.

Alright, say it with me. Less is more. This is a key phrase you should remember once finally applying your retinoids. One pea-sized amount should cover your entire face. Another pea-sized amount for the neck. Two pea-sized dollops for the chest area. Easy as pie.

Also, I recommend using plant-based retinol serum as an alternative for those with sensitive skin. For those with extremely sensitive skin, excessive reactions to retinol/retinoids, are pregnant, or undergoing cancer treatments, you can substitute retinoids for a 0.25mm dermaroller. This will be a safer alternative for those with sensitive skin, women who are breastfeeding, and patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Night Three and Four - Recovery

Nights three and four allow for a change of pace. Both nights are still going to include a cleanse, however, after cleansing, you can leave the skin a little damp. Now is the time to apply a hydrating serum, one with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or salicylic acid, as these are great for the skin barrier. Try Gin Amber Beauty's Hyaluronic Acid Serum or Peptide Serum, which are both hydrating and healing.

Apply your moisturizer as usual, but again, pay attention to the feeling of the skin. If you notice that skin is still a bit dry and tight, try applying some oil on top of the moisturizer, like squalane oil. You can try Gin Amber Beauty's 10% Vitamin Repair Cream, which contains such an oil.

These last two nights are important, as they give your skin time to heal and ready itself for the next application of exfoliating acids and retinol, which can irritate the skin or cause irritation and flaking if overdone. Consider these nights a nice buffer.

The Takeaway

If you'd like to see more of Dr. Whitney Bowe, check her out on IG or TikTok, @drwhitneybowe. She advocates the skin-gut-mind connection and goes into more depth on the skin cycling process.

Skin cycling essentially simplifies your skincare routine and evens out skin texture. You may notice a reduction in pore size and just overall healthier skin.

For products such as cleansers, moisturizers, and serums, be sure to check out my online store at Gin Amber Beauty, where I offer toxic-free certified products that are perfect for any skin cycling routine.

Thank you Amber Babies for tuning into yet another blog post! Feel free to leave comments and questions and don't forget to visit me on TikTok, YouTube, and as well as on IG, @ginamberx, where I go over remarkably effective skincare tips, trends, and topics!