What Is Skin Cycling – And Should You Try It?

It is the Epionce philosophy that your skin care should nourish your skin for a lifetime. If you agree, “skin cycling” may have caught your attention over the past few months.

The “skin cycling” trend has grown viral – TikTok and Instagram videos tagged with #skincycling have gotten millions of views, and it seems like every beauty influencer is talking about it. So, what is skin cycling? Intended to relieve irritated skin, it’s a skin care technique that entails rotating products with active ingredients (such as retinol, and BHA or AHA acids) over a four-night time span in order to effectively treat your skin and minimize irritation.

Between using products with strong irritating ingredients, you give your skin “rest days.” Night one is for exfoliating with an acid product. Night two, you apply a retinol. The next two nights involve applying no active ingredients, just moisturizing formulas to help your skin recover.

Is there a benefit to skin cycling?

If it sounds like a lot of work, it is! However, if you’re someone who applies retinol and/or other potentially irritating active ingredients every night (or even twice or more per night), “skin cycling” is intended to give your skin a break.

Skin cycling allows your barrier – the outermost layer of the skin – a chance to recover while putting the brakes on overusing potentially irritating active ingredients. However, while influencers may be jumping on the skin cycling bandwagon (at least for the moment), there are no scientifically proven benefits behind the trend.

There’s a barrier-bettering way  

While you or your friends may be eager to give skin cycling a try, you don’t have to rely on a calendar to keep track of your skin care.

Our “Do No Harm” approach means that Epionce formulas can be used every night of the week. Our consistent, results-driven yet non-irritating regimens are easy to stick with. Each Epionce formula has been expertly designed by clinical dermatologist Dr. Carl Thornfeldt to help relieve irritation.

We incorporate botanical active ingredients into barrier-boosting, skin-soothing formulas, so there’s no switching around of products or downtime necessary. We also avoid potentially irritating ingredients, including retinol and hydroquinone, opting for naturally derived actives that are clinically proven to provide equal or superior results.

Don’t overthink it: A simple 3-step nightly routine that works 

As a gentle alternative to retinol and similar anti-aging solutions, Epionce formulas can be used every night of the week. Case in point, this efficacious, barrier-boosting routine for normal/combination skin can provide the same complexion benefits as skin cycling – no “rest days” or recovery nights needed.

1. Gentle Foaming Cleanser (A mild face wash that works for all skin types.)
2. Lytic Tx (Our gentle exfoliating formula includes natural actives azelaic acid and willow bark extract, a botanical form of salicylic acid. Our formula also provides soothing benefits with shea butter, olive and avocado oils.)
3. Renewal Facial Lotion (A lightweight moisturizer packed with natural antioxidant power and plant-derived fatty acids and calming ingredients to deliver improvement of fine lines and wrinkles, and boost your skin’s clarity and radiance.)

Need help finding the right products for your skin type?  Find an Epionce Pro Near You