A new skincare trend that seems to be popping up everywhere; you know I had to share my thoughts and skincare tips!⤵️

What is skin cycling?

Certain products like retinol, retinoids, masks, chemical exfoliants, and acne treatment products aren’t meant to be used every single day. Products like this work best when used consistently, but only a few times a week. Skin cycling is an easy-to-understand way of laying out the best times to use all your treatment products. For example “Use your glycolic exfoliant fluid on Tuesday/Thursday and retinol on Friday/Sunday.” The skin cycling trend makes these seemingly complicated skincare steps easier to understand. When talking about a ‘skin cycling’ routine most times we are talking about your PM skincare routine. AM skincare routines should be pretty consistent with daily items like vitamin C, moisturizer, and SPF.

scrub me secret: wondering about the difference between retinol and retinoid? While both of these ingredients are vitamin A cell turnover products, they are slightly different. A retinoid is much stronger than retinol and is usually prescribed by a dermatologist. A retinoid may cause some irritation if the dosage is too high or used too frequently. Retinol is a derivative of a retinoid but is usually less concentrated and blended with other anti-aging ingredients to make a serum.

Why I like skin cycling.

My thoughts on skin cycling, speaking as an esthetician.

While dubbing this type of skincare routine “skin cycling” is a new trend, this is definitely not a new way to use your skin care. I really like this skin cycling trend because it easily explains something that previously seemed kind of complicated and detailed when I explained it to clients in the past. I think it’s a great way to get so many more people on an expert-level skincare routine!

scrub me secret: I’ve linked some products below in the text that I would recommend to my facial clients and products that I like for certain skin types. I do not make any commission off these links and they are not paid advertisements. When I talk about retinol I like all the PCA skin retinols as well The Ordinary retinol with squalene.

Skin cycling routine suggestion for aging skin:

PM skincare routine. I would recommend this for a client with non-sensitive skin who wants to combat and prevent lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity.

Monday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, glycolic exfoliating fluid or enzyme mask, hydrating mist, peptide serum, moisturizer, optional facial oil

Tuesday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, pat skin dry, retinol 0.1 - 0.50 (if using retinol), peptide serum, moisturizer, optional facial oil

Wednesday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, preferred balancing toner, peptide serum, moisturizer, optional facial oil

Thursday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, preferred balancing toner, peptide serum, moisturizer, optional facial oil

Friday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, glycolic exfoliating fluid or enzyme mask, hydrating mist, peptide serum, moisturizer, optional facial oil

Saturday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, pat skin dry, retinol 0.1 - 0.50 (if using retinol), peptide serum, moisturizer, optional facial oil

Sunday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, preferred balancing toner, peptide serum, moisturizer, optional facial oil

scrub me secret: bakuchiol is a great retinol alternative ingredient for those whose skin types don’t work well with retinol. I myself always get itchy, bumpy skin from any type of retinol which is really disappointing, a bakuchiol serum is a great way to get in those anti-wrinkle and antiaging properties without using retinol.

if you do end up opting for a bakuchiol serum instead of retinol I suggest using it every night, except for the nights you use your glycolic or enzyme product.

Skin cycling routine suggestion for acne/breakout-prone skin:

PM skincare routine. I would recommend this for a client with non-sensitive skin who struggles with acne, breakouts (whiteheads and pimples), and/or oily/congested skin.

Monday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner and let skin dry, BHA (salicylic acid fluid), niacinamide serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Tuesday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, pat skin dry, retinol 0.1 - 0.50 (if using retinol) OR mask with a decongestant or skin clearing mask , preferred facial moisturizer

Wednesday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner, niacinamide serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Thursday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner, niacinamide serum, preferred facial moisturizer, spot treat your breakouts with retinol or preferred spot treatment

Friday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner and let skin dry, BHA (salicylic acid fluid), niacinamide serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Saturday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner, niacinamide serum, preferred facial moisturizer, spot treat your breakouts with retinol or preferred spot treatment

Sunday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner, niacinamide serum, preferred facial moisturizer

scrub me secret: Daily SPF (no matter what type of climate you live in) is a must for getting the best possible benefits from your skincare routine. Daily SPF also prevents skin damage like pigment, and dark spots, reduction of collagen and elastin, plus more. Make sure your daytime skincare routine includes an SPF 30 or above.

Skin cycling routine suggestion for dry skin:

PM skincare routine. I would recommend this for a client with little to no active breakouts who struggles with dry/dull skin.

Monday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner or hydrating facial mist, hydrating hyaluronic acid serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Tuesday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner or hydrating facial mist, hydrating hyaluronic acid serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Wednesday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, physically exfoliate your skin with a scrub, lactic acid product, preferred facial moisturizer

Thursday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner, lactic acid product, preferred facial moisturizer

Friday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner or hydrating facial mist, hydrating hyaluronic acid serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Saturday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply balancing toner or hydrating facial mist, hydrating hyaluronic acid serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Sunday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, physically exfoliate your skin with a scrub, lactic acid product, preferred facial moisturizer

scrub me secret: choose your facial scrub carefully! No St. Ives please and find something with either grapeseed, jojoba beads, or something gently scrubbing. The antioxidant powder mask I make is really my favorite textured scrub.

Skin cycling routine suggestion for sensitive skin:

PM skincare routine. I would recommend this for a client who is sensitive to retinol and strong exfoliant products. This is a great routine for anti-aging, preventative aging, and complexion clearing.

Monday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply gentle resurfacing fluid/toner, optional serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Tuesday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply calming/hydrating toner, bakuchiol serum, optional serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Wednesday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply gentle resurfacing fluid/toner, optional serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Thursday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply calming/hydrating toner, bakuchiol serum, optional serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Friday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply gentle resurfacing fluid/toner, optional serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Saturday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply calming/hydrating toner, bakuchiol serum, optional serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Sunday- Cleanse with your preferred cleanser, apply calming/hydrating toner, bakuchiol serum, optional serum, preferred facial moisturizer

Worried about those times when you’re feeling too tired or lazy for an in-depth skincare routine? Don’t worry I’ve got the best tips for you so everything doesn’t completely fall off the rails when that happens. My blog post “a skincare routine for when you’re feeling lazy” is a must read!