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“Skin cycling” is a skincare method that involves rotating active ingredients (like exfoliants and retinoids) with rest days to give your skin time to recover—helping you get results without irritation.
🔄 Typical 4-Night Skin Cycling Routine:
| Night | Step | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Night 1 | Exfoliation (AHA/BHA) | Removes dead skin, preps for actives |
| Night 2 | Retinoid (e.g. retinol) | Boosts cell turnover, collagen |
| Nights 3 & 4 | Recovery | Hydration + barrier repair only |
🧴 On recovery nights, skip actives—just use a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and soothing ingredients like ceramides or hyaluronic acid.
✅ Benefits of Skin Cycling:
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Reduces irritation, peeling, and purging
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Helps build tolerance to strong actives
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Great for sensitive or beginner skin
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Encourages a balanced, barrier-friendly routine
🔧 Customize Your Cycle:
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Once your skin adjusts, you can shift to a 3-night cycle (Exfoliate → Retinoid → Recover).
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Or, tailor to your skin's needs (e.g., more recovery nights if dry/sensitive).