What Is Skin Cycling And Should You Try It?

Skin cycling refers to the practice of alternating which skin care products you use in order to avoid unwanted side effects, such as irritation and dryness.1

The term skin cycling was coined by Whitney Bowe, MD–a board-certified dermatologist who popularized the concept on TikTok. It involves switching up your skin care routine to give your face a much-needed break from potentially harsh active ingredients.

Learn more about skin cycling, including how it works, the potential benefits and downsides, and if it’s right for you.

How Skin Cycling Works

According to Nkem Ugonabo, MD, MPH, a board-certified and fellowship-trained dermatologist who works at Unionderm in New York City, skin cycling typically involves creating a skin care routine with “a four-night cycle of key products … to achieve the benefits of the products with less irritation to the skin.” Rather than applying the same products to your skin every day, you’ll alternate products and give your skin up to two nights of rest in between.

An example of a common skin cycling routine might be as follows:

Day 1: Using a chemical exfoliant containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) (like glycolic acid and lactic acid) or beta hydroxy acids (BHA) (like salicylic acid) to remove the top layers of dead skin2

Day 2: Applying a vitamin A-based retinoid product such as retinol or tretinoin to treat acne and dark spots, improve texture, and/or prevent the effects of aging3

Days 3 and 4: Using only a gentle facial cleanser, lightweight sunscreen, and moisturizer to give your skin a rest4

Depending on your particular needs and your dermatologist’s recommendations, you might also incorporate other products into your skin cycling routine.

“Slugging with a thick ointment can be another great product to use with skin cycling, as using it daily may clog the skin and cause breakouts,” Mary Alice Mina, MD, a double-board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon who works at Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery, LLC, in Atlanta, Georgia, and hosts the podcast The Skin Real, told Health. Meanwhile, others also use vitamin C serum or toner when they’re not on a “rest day.”

Benefits of Skin Cycling

Dr. Ugonabo told Health that the primary goal of skin cycling is to help skin with the tolerability of active ingredients, such as retinoids as well as lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids. “It can be helpful for people who have tried to use these products concurrently but were not able to tolerate it,” she said.

Overall, the potential benefits of skin cycling may include protecting the skin barrier, preventing unwanted side effects from skin care products, and avoiding dry and irritated skin.

Protecting the Skin Barrier

The skin barrier (epidermis), or the outermost layer of the skin, performs several important functions. It helps your skin stay hydrated by locking in moisture and protects your skin from environmental irritants, ultraviolet rays, and allergens.

Using harsh skin care products or applying them too often can harm your skin barrier, leaving you more vulnerable to inflammation and irritation.5 Exfoliants and retinoids in particular can damage the outer layer of your skin and make it less effective as a protective barrier. Giving yourself a break from intense active ingredients and exfoliation can help to keep your skin barrier in tip-top shape.6

Preventing Unwanted Side Effects

Many effective skin care products come with unwanted side effects, such as irritation. For example, many people who use retinol report that they experience “retinol burn”—which causes red, hyperpigmented, hot, tender, flaky, and/or peeling skin.7

According to Dr. Mina, skin cycling can help you maximize the benefits from a certain product while minimizing the potential downsides of more frequent use. It can also help your skin get used to new products gradually.

“Skin cycling is a great way to get your skin used to a product that may be potentially irritating or drying to your skin,” Dr. Mina said. “For instance, if you are using a topical steroid on your skin, it’s important not to use it more than 1-2 weeks at a time, as it can cause side effects like skin thinning–atrophy–and pigmentary changes with lighter spots on the skin.”

Avoiding Dry Skin

If you tend to have dry, sensitive skin or live in an arid climate, skin cycling may give your skin care routine a boost. Many popular products that treat acne, discoloration, and signs of aging also lead to dry skin.8 You may be able to avoid drying out your skin by reaching for gentle cleanser and moisturizers on your skin cycling “rest days.”

This is especially important for people who swear by retinoids to prevent wrinkles. “These vitamin A derivatives can be irritating and drying on the skin, especially in winter or dry weather,” Dr. Mina said.

Downsides of Skin Cycling

While skin cycling has many potential benefits, it may not work for everyone. If you have a specific skin condition that requires consistent treatment, skin cycling could render your products less effective.

“Some products, such as retinoids, may be required to be used in a particular cadence in order to achieve full clinical results,” said Dr. Uganobo. “For patients with acne, for example, I typically prefer they use a retinoid more frequently.” In other words, the active ingredients in your skin care products may have less potent effects if you don’t apply them for days at a time.

Of course, skin cycling may also not be right for you if your dermatologist has already prescribed a topical medication for daily use. Some products, such as sunscreen, need to be applied on a daily basis to be effective.9 When in doubt, talk to your dermatologist to tailor a specific skin care routine to your unique needs and desired results.

Who Should Try Skin Cycling?

Anyone who has experienced skin irritation and other unwanted side effects from skin care products in the past, but who would still like to create a daily skin care routine, may benefit from skin cycling.

It may also help you if you’d like to streamline your daily self-care routine. Rather than relying on complicated, multi-step processes with a ton of products, you can use skin cycling to strip your daily regimen down and keep it simple.

If you have certain skin conditions that involve redness, dryness, itching, or swelling, such as eczema, you might also consider giving skin cycling a try.10 “People who are beginning [a skin care routine or are] new to active ingredients, as well as patients with sensitive skin and rosacea, would likely benefit the most,” Dr. Ugonabo said.

A Quick Review

Skin cycling involves using skin care products strategically, typically by alternating exfoliants, retinoids, sunscreen, and moisturizers in a four-day routine. By giving your skin a day or two “off” from harsh ingredients, you may avoid side effects like irritation and dryness while still reaping the benefits of your chosen products.

If you’re curious about skin cycling, talk to your dermatologist. They can offer valuable recommendations about which ingredients to include and which ones to skip, depending on your skin care goals and any conditions you’d like to treat.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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