About * skin cycling 101 *

Skin cycling is a variation of skincare routine that involves using active products on alternating days and including multiple ‘recovery’ days to allow the skin barrier to repair itself and have a rest.

Typically, the skin cycle lasts four days (exfoliation, retinol, recovery x 2, repeat). However, I have created a version that neatly fits into a seven day period (3 days [exfoliate, retinol, rest], 4 days [exfoliate, retinol, rest x 2], repeat) for greater ease of use.

I have entered in products that I personally use/have used, however, this is just a guide/example and you are of course welcome to use your own products (just make sure to check for any ingredient interactions).

~ Skin cycling routine ~

• Mon-Fri AM (active days):
  -> water-based cleanser
  -> toner
  -> vitamin C
  -> hyaluronic acid
  -> eye cream
  -> moisturiser
  -> sunscreen
  -> lip balm

• Sat-Sun AM (recovery):
  -> water-based cleanser
  -> toner
  -> eye cream
  -> moisturiser
  -> sunscreen
  -> lip balm

• Mon/Thu PM (exfoliation days):
  -> oil cleanser
  -> water-based cleanser
  -> exfoliating toner (eg with AHA+BHA) OR lactic acid OR glycolic acid etc.
  -> eye cream
  -> heavy moisturiser eg La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume
  -> lip mask/balm

• Tue/Fri PM (retinol nights):
  -> oil cleanser
  -> water-based cleanser
  -> toner (no AHA/BHA)
  -> hyaluronic acid
  -> retinol/retinal etc.
  -> eye cream
  -> moisturiser
  -> lip mask/balm

-Wed/Sat/Sun PM (recovery nights):
-> oil cleanser
-> water-based cleanser
-> toner
-> barrier repair ampoules/essences eg:
— skin1004 madagascar centella ampoule
— cosrx advanced snail 96 mucin power essence
-> eye cream
-> moisturiser
-> lip mask/balm