Does skin cycling really help make your skin better?
Miscellaneous / / November 04, 2023
Let's analyze a popular facial care system on TikTok together with a cosmetologist.
What is skin cycling
This is a way to take care of your skin came up with it New York dermatologist Whitney Bowe. He became a real sensation on TikTok - videos about skin cycling collected already more than 600 million views.
Vitalia Music
Cosmetologist, dermatovenerologist, trichologist, clinical trainer of hardware techniques.
Skin cycling is a skin care technique in which different active ingredients are used on different days. It is divided into four days, and each such cycle is repeated.
According to Whitney Bow herself, her approach encourages the strategic use of beauty products so that they complement each other and do not cause unnecessary skin irritation.
Whitney Bow
Dermatologist, creator of the method, in a commentary for Verywell Health.
Skin cycling is based on the principle of “less is more” when you thoughtfully and consciously build your skin care system.
Other specialists notethat the idea of skin cycling is not new at all. Many dermatologists and cosmetologists have been practicing this approach for a long time, it’s just that no one has yet come up with a sonorous name for it.
However, they agree that it is an effective method that can be adapted for different skin types, ages, lifestyles and budgets. Alternation and balance of active ingredients combined with moisturizing help maintain the skin's protective barrier. Plus, anything that promotes moderate grooming is good.
What does skin cycling consist of?
It includes four steps that must be repeated in the evenings. This is due to the fact that the system involves the use of products with acids and retinoids, which do skin more sensitive to sunlight. Skin cycling looks like this:
- On the first day, exfoliants with AHA or BHA acids are used as part ofto cleanse the skin and remove dead cells.
- On the second day, products with retinoids are used, which promote skin cell renewal.
- The third and fourth days are rest, during which a cream with restorative components, such as ceramides or squalane, is applied.
According to Whitney Bowe, this order is important because it determines how often strong ingredients that may cause irritation are used. The care cycle begins with chemical peelingso that the skin can better absorb retinoids the next day.
In addition, the creator of skin cycling advises Don’t forget to moisturize all day, especially if your facial skin is sensitive or dry. This allows you to restore the skin's protective barrier after acids and avoid irritation after retinoids.
What are the benefits of skin cycling?
Whitney Bow promises quick effect. After just two cycles, that is, after eight days, any blemishes on the skin should disappear, it should become soft, hydrated, less sensitive and healthier and more radiant. After a few months, there should be much fewer wrinkles, rashes and other imperfections on your face.
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Cosmetologist.
There is common sense in skin cycling, since often people choose their own care and cannot balance it correctly. For example, they forget about restoring and protecting the skin, and acids are used in large quantities.
There are no scientific studies on the effectiveness of skin cycling yet. However, there is data on how acids and retinoids affect the skin. Acids help get rid of wrinkles, uneven pigmentation and enlarged pores. Retinol compacts epidermis, activates collagen production, eliminates post-acne, evens out tone, improves texture and, with long-term use, significantly reduces the number of facial wrinkles.
Who is suitable for skin cycling?
Overall, this is a safe system that does not overload the skin and allows for balanced care. But for serious skin problems, such as very severe acne, psoriasis or rosacea, skin cycling is not suitable.
Otherwise, there are no clear frameworks. You just need to remember the side effects: both acids and retinol can irritate the skin and cause redness.
In addition, experts advise based on the needs and condition of the skin and edit the care system over time.
And yet, despite the fact that skin cycling is not dangerous to health, it is better to consult a specialist in advance. A dermatologist will help you understand how applicable this method is in a particular case and whether it can really make your skin better.
Find your method🧐
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