De 4-daagse skin cycling-routine
With this clear skin cycling routine, you’ll know exactly what to do every evening. Always follow the correct order: cleanse first, then apply your active product or serum, and finish with your night cream. After night 4, simply start again from night 1.
Evening 1: Exfoliation
- What should you do? Cleanse your face with a mild cleanser. Then apply a mild chemical exfoliant to dry skin (such as a BHA or AHA). Finish with a lovely night cream.
- Why? It deeply cleanses your pores. This helps your skin absorb the products you’ll use over the next few nights more effectively.
Avond 2: Retinoïde (retinol)
- What do you do? Cleanse your face and dry it thoroughly. Apply a small amount of retinol (about the size of a pea) to your skin. Then apply your night cream.
- Tip for sensitive skin: First apply a thin layer of night cream, then the retinol, and finally another thin layer of night cream. This is known as the ‘sandwich method’ and helps prevent a stinging sensation.
- Why? Retinol helps to combat spots, blemishes and fine lines.
Evenings 3 & 4: Recovery & hydration
- What do you do? Cleanse your face. Use a moisturising serum (such as hyaluronic acid) and a rich, restorative night cream.
- Why? Your skin is calming down. This is the perfect time to repair your skin barrier and restore its strength.
Why does the skin cycling method work so well?
Many people use too many different products all at once. This can cause the skin to become red, flaky or irritated.
Skin cycling helps you avoid this problem. You do use powerful products that really work, such as exfoliants and retinol. But by taking rest days, you give your skin time to recover. This way, you get the best results without damaging your skin.
Frequently asked questions about skin cycling
Always listen carefully to your skin. Does your skin feel dry, red or tight? If so, give your exfoliant and retinol a miss for a few nights. For a few nights, use only a mild cleanser and a restorative cream to help repair your skin barrier. Only once your skin feels calm again should you gently start again from night 1.
No, only do this at night. Products such as retinol and acids make your skin more sensitive to the sun. During the day, it’s best to use a mild cleanser, a moisturiser and always a good sun cream (SPF).
Yes, but save vitamin C for the morning. Vitamin C protects your skin from pollution and sunlight during the day, whilst you let the powerful acids and retinol work their magic at night.
You’ll often notice a lovely hydration boost after just a few days. For smoother skin and fewer spots or wrinkles, you’ll need a little more patience. You’ll usually see results after 4 to 8 weeks.
Yes, for almost everyone. As you have two rest nights, it’s also very gentle on sensitive skin. Do you find that your skin still tends to go red easily? If so, simply add an extra rest night.
Start skin cycling today!
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