You may find numerous skincare trends online today. However, not all are ideal for all skin types. Sensitive skin needs extra care when cleansing. To help her patients with this skin type, Dr. Whitney Bowe created the skin cycling technique that includes several steps to help skin look radiant and healthy.
Why Skin Cycling?
Skin cycling is more than a skincare trend. This process can help to reduce the variety of products needed for a healthy skincare routine. Additionally, this system allows the skin to rest and recover.
Skin cycling takes cues from exercise. Most people don’t do the same gym routine every day. They will have days to strengthen their arms while on other days they will work on their leg muscles. Working the same muscles daily can backfire by wearing the muscles out. Therefore, athletes understand the need to rest muscle groups the day after doing strengthening exercises.
Skin, too, needs time to recover from a regime of using skin care products. Those with sensitive skin may greatly benefit from letting their skin rest for a couple of days after using exfoliating and retinol products.
The four-day cycle for skin includes days to remove dead skin cells, stimulate collagen production, and recover from the process.
How to Follow the Skin Cycling Process
To follow the skin cycling process, remember that each day will start with cleansing and finish with moisturizing. These processes remove dirt and provide the moisturization needed to prevent dryness. Don’t skip either of these on any night of the skin cycling process.
When done properly, many people begin to see results in skin sensitivity in a couple of cycles. Regularly following the process can reduce wrinkles, and acne, and have refreshed skin that looks healthy and revitalized.
First Night: Cleanse, Exfoliate, and Moisturize
On the first night, use a cleanser that meets your skin type's needs to wash away dirt, sweat, and makeup. Starting with clean skin allows the exfoliant to do its job of removing dead skin cells.
When choosing among exfoliants, skip scrubs if you have sensitive skin. The face has delicate skin compared to other parts of the body, so you want to treat it gently with an exfoliant designed to chemically remove dead skin cells. Exfoliating gets the skin ready for the action of the retinol on the second night, but this step only happens one out of the four nights because it can irritate sensitive skin if done too often.
Finally, moisturize your skin to lock in hydration and prevent dryness and the dull look it brings your skin.
Second Night: Cleanse, Apply Retinol, Moisturize
On the second night, you should clean your face with a gentle cleanser, eliminating any dirt or other contaminants that could interfere with the retinol’s actions or cause irritation.
Second, apply retinol to your face. Like exfoliants, retinol can irritate the skin if used too frequently. Retinol is a powerful component of your skincare routine. It stimulates collagen production in the skin, thereby reducing acne and the appearance of wrinkles.
Third, apply a moisturizer to prevent skin dryness and irritation.
Third and Fourth Nights: Cleanse, Rest, and Moisturize
The third and fourth nights follow the same routine. Cleanse your skin and moisturize. You do not use any other skin care products on these nights because your skin needs time to rest and recover.
Build Your Fall Skin Care Routine with Skin Cycling
Visit the Pinnacle Dermatology shop to find the products you need to create your skin cycling routine, based on your skin type. Whether you have dry, sensitive, oily, acne-prone, or aging skin, Pinnacle Dermatology has the products you need. Plus, Pinnacle Dermatology provides you with dermatologists in your area to get regular skin exams and personalized advice on skin health concerns. Get the healthy skin you deserve with Pinnacle Dermatology.
SAVE 15% when you shop cleansers, sunscreens, exfoliants, retinoids, and moisturizers, throughout October. Use Shop Code FALL15 at checkout and note some brand and product exclusions apply.
It’s always important to consult your dermatologist before starting a new skincare routine, especially if you struggle with chronic skin conditions. If you are looking for a dermatologist, or need an annual total body skin exam, visit pinnacleskin.com
