Emergency Dispatch: Skin Cycling

You're Probably Already Doing It

Hi friends!

I first heard the term “skin cycling” earlier this summer. I assumed it had to do with adjusting your skincare with your menstrual cycle and didn’t give it much thought…until this week when I was suddenly faced with dozens of panicked DMs and links to TikToks about a new viral skincare trend: skin cycling. Specifically, a four night routine that consists of 1 night exfoliation, 1 night retinoid, 2 nights repair and repeat.

While normally I’m quick to shoot down a viral skincare trend, this one was different for a few reasons. Whereas many viral trends are ill-advised nonsense, “skin cycling” is actually a good approach. Yes, you should have a routine that repeats itself. Yes, you should make sure you’re coupling active, stronger products with repair and nourishment. Does this advice sound familiar? It should! Because “skin cycling” is the same thing skin professionals (and your skincare obsessed friends) have been preaching forever: consistency and balance.

If your skin is happy and healthy, I guarantee it’s because you have a consistent routine that balances active nights with repair nights…also known as a cycle. This advice is nothing new and you are probably already doing it in your own way because everyone’s skin needs different things. What “skin cycling” gets wrong is that it lacks nuance, leading many people to believe their routine must be a 4-day cycle and must be in that order. If the trend didn’t prescribe a 4-day formula and instead promoted what’s important to ensure you’re doing (consistency & balance), it wouldn’t be causing such confusion and second-guessing. In fact, it would probably make a lot of people very proud to realize they are already doing this successfully! Maybe you have sensitive, dry skin that only requires exfoliation twice a month. Perhaps you’ve been using retinoids for years and tolerate using them more frequently. Maybe you can’t handle retinoids at all. As long as it’s working for you, your “skin cycle” can be any consistent, balanced routine you want. If your routine isn’t working or you want to start incorporating exfoliants or retinoids, the 4-day cycle could be a great place to start.

I hope this clears up some of the confusion! Don’t second guess yourself. You’re doing great. 

(P.S. For what it’s worth, my initial menstrual cycle theory isn’t even wrong because some people, especially those who struggle with acne, do adjust their routines around their cycle. That’s totally fine, too!)

xx,

Jolie