TikTok is bringing new beauty trends that we can't ignore. Skin Cyclyng or as it is also called skin cycling has taken over social media platforms. What is it? How does it work and why is it a good idea to try it? That's what we're going to talk about today.

The concept of skin cycling applies to a nightly skincare routine that involves using active ingredients followed by rest days. The four-day cycle is the most popular and well-known. It usually involves using the active ingredients for two nights, followed by two nights of rest. While the term "skin cycling" is new, dermatologists have long recommended the intermittent or alternating use of active ingredients.

So why is this beauty trend gaining ground now? Maybe the catchy name helped it catch on, or maybe people are realizing that our skin, like the rest of our body, needs rest. People are adding layer after layer after layer after layer to their skin care routines and experimenting with cocktails of ingredients that irritate and damage their skin. There has been so much confusion around how to layer active ingredients, and as a result, not knowing which advice to listen to, you end up with angry and irritated skin. It is for this reason that let me explain step by step how Skin Cyclinng can take your nighttime routine to another level.

NIGHT NO. 1: EXFOLIATION

Tonight, you'll cleanse and dry your skin, then exfoliate, which removes dead cells from the surface layer of your skin. There's a good reason why this step comes first: "Your other products will work more effectively because they're able to penetrate deeper into the skin in a controlled and predictable way. After that, you'll need to moisturize. A little caveat, though: While some people say exfoliation improves the appearance of their skin, if you do it incorrectly — too often, for example — it can lead to redness and irritation says that they are gentler than physical exfoliants. Great ingredients for chemical exfoliation include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). the downside of scrubs that require washing off, especially if you're just starting out. The reason is simple, scrubs that stay in the skin are much gentler. A good example of a product at this point is Purito's AHA and BHA exfoliating solution.

NIGHT NO. 2: RETINOL

This night focuses on retinoids, which are derivatives of vitamin A that can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These include prescription drugs such as tretinoin and milder over-the-counter products such as retinol. Retinoids are one of the powerful ingredients to include in your skin cycling routine, but they also come with an opt-out clause. They can be very irritating when you first insert them or if you have sensitive or reactive skin. Before application, make sure to clean and dry yourself. For those particularly sensitive to retinoids, it's a good idea to moisturize sensitive areas first, such as under the eyes and in the corners of the nose, before applying the retinoid. And if your skin still feels dry, you can moisturize again, over the retinoid. However, if you try to use them too frequently or stack them with other potentially irritating ingredients (acids for example), you'll end up with inflammation rather than results. Because of this, it's best to use retinol alone as the only exfoliating or resurfacing ingredient in your routine. A suitable ingredient can be the retinol cream from IT'S SKIN

NIGHTS 3 AND 4: RELAXATION AND RECOVERY

The recovery period, usually nights three and four, is the final stage. On recovery nights, don't use exfoliating acids and retinoids and give your skin a chance to recover. You'll want to focus on nourishing your skin's microbiome and repairing the skin barrier, so think about hydration and moisture and avoid any irritating ingredients. Cleanse your skin before applying a moisturizer, and for these nights you don't need to pat your skin dry - it's good to leave your skin slightly damp. You can also apply a moisturizing serum before the moisturizing cream. In practice, the timing of your cycle may depend on your skin type. If you experience sensitivity and irritation, you can increase the recovery nights, or if you are experienced and well-adjusted to your retinoid and want to dial in more, you can skip one recovery night for a three-night cycle. Everything is particular. Using ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides and glycerin on recovery nights are best. A good example for recovery nights would be using Skin1004's Centella vial with Cream .

CONCLUSION

As I said in the introduction, the concept of skin cycling is not new, however, there is a reason why skin cycles have become so popular right now. People are starting to realize that using more products doesn't always equate to better or healthier skin. This is a "less is more" approach that works and gives you a structured schedule that makes sense. Also, this skin cycling is a great option for people who want to introduce exfoliants or retinoids into their routine but are afraid. The concept offers a simple and clear way of using the active ingredients so that they help each other instead of getting confused.