Welcome To The World Of Skin Cycling

Social media is always buzzing with new-and sometimes questionable-skincare tips, but the latest one to pedal through is derm-approved. Here's EYNTK!

- Lia Mappoura

A very quick glance at my social media explore page will show that I do indeed like cat videos. But the topic dominating my algorithm? An endless stream of beauty hacks. If it’s something that’ll save me time and money, I am here for it. In fact, it was during a late-night scroll sesh that I stumbled upon my now favourite skincare trend—and it’s one that’s also science-based and dermatologist-approved. Enter: skin cycling.

There’s a never-ending stream of viral trends out there, but many are, at best, highly debatable—looking at you, hand-whisked foundation and using lube as primer—and, at worst, verging on dangerous. But skin cycling is one that’s generated millions on views across several platforms for good reason and has been praised by experts, including celebrity aestheticians Shani Darden and Amber Rose Johnson. And it’s going to get bigger. Beauty Pie’s 2023 trends report saw a 26% surge in searches around ‘skin cycling’. So, what’s all the fuss about?

The Low-Down

Skin cycling doesn’t require a unilevel degree in chemistry. In simple terms, “it is a way of strategically organising your skincare regime by cycling and planning your use of products,” says London-based skin specialist Tara Francis. “It helps optimise the effectiveness of your products and reduces irritation often caused by active ingredients or not giving your skin enough time to recover between applications.”

Dubbed ‘the 5:2 diet for your face’, skin cycling involves using actives two nights a week—this could include retinol or AHAs, as well as BHAs or PHAs. Pick your active according to your skin type and needs. On the third or fourth day, called ‘rest’ days, trade them in for barrier-boosting, hydrating ingredients. Then repeat.