If you’re someone who regularly consumes skincare content on social media, then chances are you’ve come across a new trend that’s been circulating known as skin cycling. No, it has nothing to do with actual cycling, but it is a skincare tactic that many experts actually approve of—including Youth To The People Pro Despina Daniilidis, a licensed aesthetician and founder of PEAU’ésie Beauty Salon in Montreal, Quebec. Here, get the skinny on what it means to skin cycle and how to implement the buzzy method into your routine based on your unique skin type.
What is skin cycling? Much like slugging—another skincare tactic that went viral thanks to TikTok this year—skin cycling is actually nothing new. “I’ve been implementing ‘skin cycling’ in my routine for years,” says Despina. “Way before it had a term coined for it.” Interestingly, she compares skin cycling to having a varied workout routine, but for your complexion. “It'll look different for everyone, but it follows the popularized guidelines of scheduling in days of the week to use certain products and honor others as ‘rest days,’” she explains. “So, for example, one night you'd use a vitamin A-based product, the next an exfoliant, then you’d let your skin rest for two days, and repeat as needed.” Despina reiterates that everyone's skin cycle and needs are different, so in turn, everyone’s routine will look a little different. “When it comes down to it, the base of it is simply penciling in which days you're going to use certain actives and the days you're not,” says Despina. How do you skin cycle? While on social media we’ve mainly seen skin cycling include only retinoids and exfoliants, Despina believes everyone can have their own personal skin cycle “schedule” depending on their unique skin type, needs, and goals. “It can truly change month to month and everyone can customize it to what's best for them; however I always encourage leaving a rest night for the skin—even two perhaps,” she says. For those who don't use a retinoid product, Despina recommends skin cycling in the mornings instead with vitamin C, a hero antioxidant famed for its ability to protect skin from free radical damage. “It doesn't always have to be a PM cycle,” she says matter-of-factly. “Do what works for you and your skin.” But no matter what, every morning, remember to incorporate broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Examples of skin cycling routines Despina recommends kicking off your cycle with YTTP’s Retinal + Niacinamide Youth Serum on night one, followed by the Yerba Mate Resurfacing Energy Facial on night two, each always followed by moisturizer, with a night of rest going solo with moisturizer. We recommend the award-winning Air-Whip Moisture Cream or Adaptogen Deep Moisture Cream . On nights four and five, she recommends more rest with the hydrating boost of Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask . And from there, you’re free to repeat as necessary and tolerated. Fairly simple, right? Alternatively, if you want to give your skin even more of a rest, try this: Night one is still reserved for Youth Serum, while night two is set aside for rest and moisturizer. Night three—you guessed it—is when you can swap in the Kombucha + 10% AHA Power Exfoliant for the Energy Facial, and night four it’s back to R&R. Finally, drench skin in hydration with Dream Mask on night five for skin that visibly glows. And that, folks, is the lowdown on skin cycling and how to incorporate it into your routine. Special thanks to Despina for dropping her knowledge on the subject. Now, curious to learn about YTTP’s newly reformulated Kombucha + 10% AHA Power Exfoliant? Read more here . Written by Kaleigh Fasanella for Youth To The People
