Skin Cycling: Here’s How To Try TikTok’s Latest Viral Skincare Routine

Night 1: exfoliation 
“After a double cleanse (the first cleanse to remove surface skincare, dirt, sweat and oil build up and the second cleanse to cleanse the skin of bacteria and build up), leave the skin damp and apply an exfoliating active to the skin such as glycolic or lactic acid for a dry or combination skin or salicylic acid for oily, congested skin. Applying a leave-on acid-based serum to the skin will gently and effectively dissolve the outermost layer of the skin as you sleep, correcting surface concerns such as an uneven skin tone, pigmentation, a rough skin texture, excessive oiliness and surface buildup – so you can wake up with a fresh, bright complexion. Then finish with applying a moisturiser to nourish the skin as you sleep.”

Night 2: stimulation
“Again, after a double cleanse, dry the skin completely and apply a retinol-based product to the skin – remember less is more with this product. There are many different forms of retinol, but the main focus when using a retinol product is to stimulate the skin and repair damage to the skin cells DNA. From the age of 20, our skin begins to slow down, meaning collagen and elastin production and the skin's ability to heal and regenerate itself declines. Over time, our cells also begin to degrade due to all that we expose our skin and body to including pollution, free radicals, UV, and toxins just to name a few. These begin to wear and tear at our cells brain function (the DNA of the cell), resulting in skin that is functioning in an unhealthy way.”

“Retinol plumps the skin up, gets it moving and begins to repair the damage done to our cells brain (DNA), meaning that overall, the skin is performing in a more youthful, healthier way. After your retinol application, you want to again finish by applying a moisturiser to nourish the skin as you sleep.”

Nights 3 & 4: recovery
“Without a strong, healthy skin barrier function to shield and protect the skin, our complexion isn't a healthy one. The skin barrier function is one that is often bypassed and yet is in my opinion, the most important skin structure to protect and maintain. Barrier impairment will result in skin dehydration, inflammation, irritation and reactiveness to active ingredients such as acids and retinol, as these ingredients will penetrate into the skin too quickly, causing overall skin flare-ups and aggravation.

This makes these two nights vital for the skin's ability to cope with the stimulation of external active ingredient usage and to continue to challenge the skin's performance as needed.”