Retinol

Why Skin Cycling is Actually Good for Your Skin + 4 Common Pitfalls

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With all the ingredients in the market and beauty trends on social media, how can we build a consistent skincare routine? It can be hard to get a steady regimen but we all want glowing, glass-like skin!

Even if some of the products we use can be a bit irritating, like chemical exfoliants and retinoids, there is still a way to use them steadily!

Grab a FREE printable skin cycling calendar!

Not sure what chemical exfoliants are?
Check out this blog post.

This is how the social media skincare trend “skin cycling” has gone viral. But what is skin cycling? How can I incorporate it into my skincare routine? Who would it benefit the most? Continue reading to learn more.

In this article I will discuss:

How & why to cycle your skincare products

What is skin cycling?

Skin cycling is a term that was coined by Dr. Whitney Bowe, a board-certified dermatologist.

It is a skincare method that is based on a 4-day skincare cycle to achieve maximum efficacy with minimal irritation.

The concept behind it is not new, dermatologists have always been saying to not overdo it with active ingredients as these ingredients take time and multiple applications to get your skin used to them.

Dermatologists always recommend applying these ingredients every third night and using a gentle ingredient in between until your skin can tolerate strong topicals every night.

The goal of retinoids is to help clarify your skin.

skincare routine - moisturizing under eyes
Photo by MART PRODUCTIONPexels.com

It is basically keeping your morning skincare routine consistent while rotating the possibly irritating ingredients at night, mixed with a period of recovery and rest (AKA lots of hydrating and moisturizing ingredients).

The recovery and rest period can be subjective and personalized according to each person’s own skin type and routine. However, it is very helpful for people with sensitive skin since the skin has time to recover and regenerate after using the active ingredients.

Skin cycling schedule

AM routine stays the same, and PM skin cycling routine looks like this:

Night 1: exfoliate

Night 2: retinol

Night 3: recovery

Night 4: recovery

Repeat.

retinoid night - skin cycling
Photo by Ron LachPexels.com

This schedule is suitable for all skin types but you may need to tweak the cycle up or down according to your own optimal skincare routine.

For example, if you have overly sensitive and dry skin or rosacea, your skin might not tolerate the exfoliants and retinoids, therefore, you may want to cut down on these ingredients or add a third recovery night.

On the other hand, if you have oily or acne-prone skin, you may need to dial up the frequency of exfoliants and retinoids or reduce the recovery nights to one night instead of two.

Benefits of skin cycling

There are many benefits that come from adding this method to your regimen. The most important one is that your skin builds tolerance to active ingredients.

Chemical exfoliants and retinoids can cause skin sensitivity, irritation, and dehydration. By cycling them throughout the week, you help bring out the benefits of the ingredients in your skincare routine without irritating and dehydrating your skin.

Chemical ingredients can:

  • brighten skin tone
  • bring radiance to the skin
  • boost collagen production

Recovery days are key to allowing your skin barrier to repair fully.

woman doing her skincare routine - skin cycling
Photo by Andrea PiacquadioPexels.com

Chemical exfoliants get rid of any dead skin cells and will give you an immediate glow, this will increase the effectiveness of using retinoids the next night, it’s like working on a new sheet of skin.

How can I incorporate skin cycling into my skincare regimen?

Night 1: exfoliation

  1. Double-cleansing: LANEIGE – Cream Skin Milk Oil Cleanser and COSRX – Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
  2. Use chemical exfoliants (acids) on clean, dry skin: The Ordinary – Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution or The Ordinary – Salicylic Acid 2% Masque or SOME BY MI – AHA-BHA-PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum
  3. Apply a moisturizer: COSRX – Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream or Dr. Jart+ – Ceramidin Cream

Night 2: retinol

  1. Double-cleanse your skin
  2. Optional if you have sensitive skin or are new to retinol: apply a thin layer of fragrance-free moisturizer under your eyes, smile-line area, and below the mouth, this dilutes down the strength of the retinoid and allows your skin to adjust (known as the sandwich technique)
  3. Apply a pea-sized amount of retinoid by dabbing it onto the face, chest, and neck: IOPE – Retinol Expert 0.1% or The Ordinary – Retinol 1% in Squalane
  4. Apply a rich moisturizing cream

Night 3 & 4: recovery

  1. Use a gentle cleanser (or double-cleanse)
  2. Pat dry but keep the skin damp
  3. Apply a powerful humectant: The Ordinary – Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 or Haruharu WONDER – Black Rice Hyaluronic Anti-wrinkle Serum
  4. Moisturize immediately: COSRX – Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream
  5. Optional: pat an oil on your skin
skincare beauty products
Photo by Karolina GrabowskaPexels.com

Common pitfalls of skin cycling

  1. Sensitive and burning sensation on the eyelid area, around the mouth and nose, and neck

Solution: if you have sensitive skin, before using chemical exfoliants and retinoids, apply a thin layer of moisturizer on top of the sensitive areas to act as a barrier so that your skin can adjust, and avoid applying the active ingredients to those areas as well

  1. No improvement for oily acne-prone due to improper skin cycling

Solution: use a three-night cycle. Exfoliation night, retinoid night, recovery night, repeat. For exfoliation night, use a product with the ingredient salicylic acid. For the retinoid night, apply a higher percentage of retinol by seeing your dermatologist for a prescription strength product.

  1. Skin cycling for rosacea

Solution: for exfoliation night, use acids with a total concentration under 15%. For the retinoid night, use a gentle fragrance-free over-the-counter retinol or retinaldehyde. Add a third recovery night to make sure that your skin barrier has enough time to repair.

  1. Applying moisturizer immediately after the exfoliating product

Solution: you need to wait until the tingling sensation completely subsides before applying a moisturizer

The importance of maintaining an alternate skincare schedule

Skin cycling is a helpful concept when you want to have a consistent skincare routine in a busy and hectic schedule.

It is very useful for all skin types because you can tweak it as you like according to your skin type and tolerance. You get the best of both worlds, exfoliation, and hydration.

Even if you have sensitive skin, it does not mean that you can’t use really powerful chemical exfoliants and retinoids, it just means that you need to learn how to incorporate them properly into your skincare routine.

Of course, it goes without saying, SPF is absolutely crucial when using active ingredients in your skincare routine!

Will you start skin cycling? Let me know in the comments!

Let’s do this!


Skincare Ingredients To Mix And Not To Mix

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through the link.


I understand that it is confusing to keep track of what skincare ingredients work well together, what skincare ingredients to mix and not to mix. In this article I will show you what skincare ingredients are safe to mix together to solve the issue that you may have at hand.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and it is important to take care of it. Skincare ingredients are used to maintain the health and appearance of the skin. There are different types of skincare ingredients that can be mixed to give you a desired effect.

Some skincare ingredients are better for oily skin while others are better for dry skin. Mixing your skincare products can give you a variety of benefits depending on your needs and preferences.

Skincare ingredients are the key to a good skincare routine. But not all ingredients work well with each other. It is important to know which ones to mix together and which ones to avoid. Mixing certain ingredients can cause irritation, dryness, and other skin problems.

Skincare ingredients from The Ordinary
Photo by Valeriia Miller from Pexels.com

Best Skincare Ingredients Combos

  1. AHA/BHA + hyaluronic acid = exfoliating and moisturizing
  2. Vitamin C + arbutin = brightening and anti oxidizing
  3. Vitamin C + vitamin E = anti oxidizing and maxes skin absorption
  4. Vitamin C + SPF = increased UV ray protection
  5. Niacinamide + peptides = helps with wrinkles and brightens skin
  6. Retinol + ceramides = effective for wrinkles and acne
  7. Hyaluronic acid + ceramides = skin repairing effects
  8. Salicylic acid + niacinamide = acne-fighting effects
Skincare ingredients-serum
Photo by KoolShooters from Pexels.com

What are the Worst Combinations of Skincare Ingredients?

It is important to be aware of the possible adverse reactions that can happen when using certain beauty products and if not applied in the proper order, you can check out this article about nighttime skincare routine, and this article about skin type test with more skincare routines.

The worst combinations of ingredients in skin care can cause adverse reactions such as rashes, breakouts, and irritation. It is best to avoid these combinations if you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergic reactions.

Skincare ingredients that should NOT be mixed together

  1. Retinol + AHA/BHA = irritation, redness, or dryness
  2. Retinols + vitamin C = irritation, redness, or peeling
  3. Vitamin C + AHA/BHA = will throw off pH levels, possible irritation
  4. BHA + benzoyl peroxide = irritation, redness, or dryness
  5. Benzoyl peroxide + retinoids = dryness and irritation

Retinol and AHA/BHA

Since both of these ingredients have exfoliating effects, using them both in one routine can be too drying and irritating to the skin. For that reason, it is best to use them in alternating nights.

Skincare ingredients AHA/BHA exfoliator
Photo by Polina Kovaleva from Pexels.com

Retinols and vitamin C

It is best to use vitamin C in the morning and retinol at night. Using both of these ingredients together can lessen their effect. Vitamin C works at a low pH, while retinol works at a high pH, combining these two ingredients could render them ineffective.

Vitamin C and AHA/BHA

AHA/BHA are acids, and so is vitamin C. Combining these ingredients together in one routine is a recipe for irritation. Using them in alternate days is recommended.

BHA and benzoyl peroxide

Both of these ingredients are effective against acne, but they should be used separately. Combining them will lead to irritation and excessive dryness. Try using them on alternate nights for an amazing acne fighting duo!

Benzoyl peroxide and retinol

Applying these two ingredients together may cause them to react chemically and cancel each other out. That is because benzoyl peroxide is an oxidizing agent and retinol is an antioxidant. Use benzoyl peroxide in the morning and retinol at night.

Different skincare ingredients
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels.com

To sum up

It is important to know what ingredients you should use in your skincare routine. There are many skincare ingredients, but it is not easy to know which ones are best for your skin type and what combinations work best together.

It is best to always do a patch test on a small area of your skin when introducing your skin to a new product or ingredient. Preferably behind your ear.

Comment down below what other combinations you think are good and what others that did not work for you.

Retinol Guide: How & When Can I Incorporate Retinol Into My Skincare Routine?


If you want to start using retinol but don’t know when it’s best to add it to your skincare routine, here are some guidelines.

Keep in mind that there are no guarantees for any particular age range — and, a lot of people will tell you to start much sooner than what is on here.

If you feel like your skin has been healthy and happy without retinol so far, there is no need to rush right out and try it (at least not yet). Try another great anti-aging ingredient first.

Retinol, more commonly known as vitamin A, has been used in skincare and acne treatments for decades.

But, do you know when to start using retinol? How about how to use it?

This guide on when to start using retinol will answer these questions and more, so you can make the most of this powerful anti-aging ingredient.



This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through the link.


How do I incorporate retinol into my skincare routine?

Skincare Products - Retinol
Photo by Polina KovalevaPexels.com

Before you can use retinol, your skin needs to get used to it. This process is known as retinization and should happen gradually over a few weeks.

How gradual?

It depends on how sensitive your skin is and what type of retinoid you’re using.

For example, if you’re using an over-the-counter product with vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), then you could start seeing results after just two days.

On the other hand, if you’re taking prescription tretinoin (Retin-A), then it might take several months before any changes are noticeable.

If you notice any irritation during that time, stop using it immediately and talk to your dermatologist about ways to soothe your skin.

If you have very sensitive skin, don’t use retinol without talking to your dermatologist first.

It makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight and puts you at risk for hyperpigmentation. It can also irritate acne. So if you have sensitive skin and/or break out easily, make sure to use a low-strength retinol product and wear sunscreen every day (it’ll even help with wrinkles!).

In general, start using retinol at night so that your body has time to adjust during a slow transition period of about 2 weeks; then slowly introduce it into your morning routine once your body is used to it.



How do I check if my skin is sensitive to retinol?

woman applying retinol on her face
Photo by Sora ShimazakiPexels.com

Sensitivity to retinol is a possibility and usually goes away within several weeks of consistent use.

However, sensitivity to it has a higher chance of occurring if you start using a topical product with high concentrations too quickly. To prevent irritation and burning, it’s best to test yourself for sensitivity before jumping into a full-blown regimen.

Before you buy your first retinol cream or serum, dab just a bit on your skin at night and wait until morning to see how your skin reacts.

If it looks fine and isn’t red or flaky, then go ahead with using it regularly!

If you do experience any irritation after trying a product once (or even a few times), stop using it immediately until all symptoms are gone.



The benefits of retinol

Retinol is one of dermatology’s most powerful anti-aging weapons.

old woman sitting on the window
Photo by MART PRODUCTIONPexels.com

Found naturally in foods like carrots and cantaloupe, retinol has the following benefits:

  • help to exfoliate the skin,
  • reduce fine lines and wrinkles,
  • diminish dark spots, and
  • increase collagen production.

Retinol is a must-have for anyone over 25 who wants to protect their skin from premature aging.

It is applied right after double cleansing during your nighttime routine.



Retinol products

IOPE – Retinol Expert 0.1% – 30ml

IOPE – Retinol Expert 0.2% – 30ml

IOPE – Retinol Expert 0.3% – 20ml



Takeaway

Retinol is often described as a miracle worker—and it can help with everything from wrinkles to acne.

It helps your skin repair itself from damage and stop new breakouts before they start.

As we age, our hormones and oil production change, it’s important to use retinol if you want to keep your skin healthy for decades to come. The best age to gradually start introducing retinol to your skincare routine is mid 20’s.

That said, it’s easy to overdo it and end up with painful side effects—particularly if you start using it too early.

Retinoid Strength Chart
Retinoid Strength Chart

Comment below when you think is the best age to start introducing this miracle ingredient to your skincare routine.

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