The latest skincare sensation is not about the latest miracle product more about how and when to apply your products. Skin Cycling, approved by dermatologists consists of a 4 night routine (cycle). Exfoliate, retinol, recover, recover. 

Skin Cycling Morning Routine

• Hydrating Cleanser 

• Dry face throughly before applying your vitamin C cream or serum. Use a pea sized amount on face and a pea size amount for neck and 2 pea sized amounts for décolletage. Gently pat into your skin until absorbed.

• Apply your moisturizer to face, neck and décolletage.

• Apply your SPF sunscreen. 

Do the above every morning. You can also apply a hyaluronic acid as an extra step. 

Day 1. Skin Cycling Exfoliation Night 

• Apply cleanser to damp or wet skin, massage into face for about 1 min then rinse throughly with warm water.
• Apply your chemical exfoliant in pea size amounts to your face, neck and décolletage. Leave to absorb.
• Apply your moisturizer as normal.

Day 2. Skin Cycling Retinol Night

• Apply cleanser to damp or wet skin, massage into face for about 1 min then rinse throughly with warm water. If wearing makeup do a double cleanse. Then pat dry.
• Apply your retinol using a pea sized amount on face and a pea size amount for neck and 2 pea sized amounts for décolletage. Gently pat into your skin until absorbed.
• Apply your moisturizer as normal.

Day 3 & 4. Skin Cycling Recovery Nights

• Apply cleanser to damp or wet skin, massage into face for about 1 min then rinse throughly with warm water. If wearing makeup do a double cleanse. Then pat dry.
• OPTIONAL apply hyaluronic acid serum to face, neck and décolletage.
• Apply your moisturizer as normal.
• OPTIONAL apply a face oil.

After day 4 repeat cycle. Exfoliation, retinol, recover, recover. 

Skin Cycling Tips

• Introduce new products slowly. Your skin will need time to adjust to new products.
• Avoid fragranced products where possible. Even essential oils can cause your skin to react.
• Do the 4 day cycle for minimum of 1 month before advancing onto a 3 day cycle. (Exfoliate, retinol, recover).
• Make sure your SPF is min of 30 and ideally the mineral type
• Use a calendar to ensure you don't miss a day or get them mixed up. We like this Skin Cycling Calendar on Etsy 

Exfoliation Tips

• Your exfoliant should be a chemical one. Don't use the gritty kind as you won't get the same results.
• Make sure you moisturize thoroughly after applying your exfoliant.
• Don't slug or oil on exfoliant night it can cause irritation

Retinol Tips

• Start with over the counter retinols. You can advance to stronger retinols available on prescription when your skin has adjusted
• If you're new to retinol or have sensitive skin you can 'sandwich' retinol with moisturizer. Apply a thin layer of fragrance free moisturizer before applying your retinol then once absorbed apply your next layer of moisturizer as normal.

Recommended Brands 

Budget The Ordinary Cerave

Mid Range Paulas Choice La Roche Posay

Blow out Dermalogica Skinceuticals