25/1/2024–|Last updated: 1/25/202407:22 PM (Mecca time)
If you are interested in the health of your skin, you will likely be impressed by the results of a new cosmetic trend that has been widely circulated on the TikTok and Instagram platforms, which is known as “skin cycling” or “skin cycling.”
In this new trend, a specific skin care routine is followed, and it is believed, according to experts and specialists, that it rejuvenates the skin and enhances its health, especially in the case of consuming cosmetics on a daily basis, or suffering from the negative effects of the weather such as the extreme cold of winter or the harsh heat of summer. What are the steps for this? New routine?
The trend of rotating your skin care routine
What is known as “skin cycling” is a routine that depends on moving between different ingredients for skin care and deep hydration over a period of 4 days, while giving the skin enough time to regain the necessary recovery without using any products.
This program is easy to apply, whether among skin care experts or even beginners in the field of skin care, as it is completely safe and free of any potential harm and guaranteed results, especially as it avoids consuming some products that may cause irritation and inflammation upon misuse, such as “Retinol“.
The credit for this routine goes to the American dermatologist, Whitney Bowe, who suggested a 4-day skin care routine, in which the skin care products you use are changed every night.
How to apply the routine
The “skincare rotation” routine specifically relies on using specific products on different days, rather than layering different skin moisturizing ingredients all at once, which can lead to irritation and inflammation.
The routine begins by carefully cleansing the skin, then adding any serum or cream for deep moisturizing, and ending, of course, by applying sunscreen appropriate for the skin type.
The additional difference to this routine here is that the skin will also be given days of “rest” between the four care days, meaning that the desired creams will be used, individually, for two days in a row, and then stop using skin care products for two consecutive days, which is known as Take days to rest the skin, then resume the routine for another two days, and so on.
As for how long you need to continue this routine, you can repeat and modify the skin cycle system comfortably, but it can be used continuously depending on how the skin responds to the ingredients used.
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First night care routine: Exfoliate
To start your care routine on the right foot, it is necessary to start with deep cleansing of the skin, in order to get rid of dirt and fats stuck in the pores and dead skin cells that may hinder the delivery of nutrition and hydration to the layers of the skin.
To achieve this, you can look for chemical exfoliants that contain ingredients such as AHA’s, BHAs, and PHAs, instead of harsh physical exfoliants, because they are better for retaining the skin and more effective, without harming it or… Destroying the outer layer and natural sebum of the skin, or what is known as“sebum”.
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Night 2: Retinoid
On the second day, apply rich skin care products BalretinoidIt is one of the concentrated vitamin A derivatives, after cleaning. But if you are new to the field of retinoids and skin cycles in general, start by applying a moisturizing cream to sensitive areas of the face, for example under the eyes, around the corners of the nose, and on laugh lines, so that the cream acts as a barrier that prevents wrinkles from appearing or causing dryness and irritation.
After that, apply retinoid cream or serum to the entire face, lower neck, and décolleté area and massage it in a circular motion to ensure absorption.
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The third and fourth night: repair and recovery
On the third and fourth night after applying the above-mentioned routine, dermatologists recommend cleansing the skin, leaving it moisturized, and then applying a serum containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and/or niacinamide. Then follow with a highly nourishing moisturizer to support the skin barrier.
Among the benefits that this routine promises to achieve when you follow it regularly:
- Repair and restore the outer skin barrier.
- Alleviating the negative side effects of harsh products, such as exfoliants and retinoids.
- Protecting the skin from seasonal problems such as dry and cold air or extreme heat, and increasing the skin’s tolerance.
Are there potential risks to this routine?
For those with sensitive and eczema-prone skin types, they will most likely not be able to tolerate using two active ingredients in one week, such as retinoids or skin exfoliants.
On the other hand, the routine can be modified by using only one of these ingredients one day a week, then gradually increasing the next ingredient over time when the skin begins to tolerate it.
It is also possible that adding any new ingredient to your skin care routine can cause uncomfortable skin reactions, and retinoids can be particularly harsh, which may cause inflammation or irritation, or even the appearance of acne or a red rash.