Asian woman with flawless and radiant skin

Have you ever heard of the term "skin cycling"? Well it's not related to two-wheeler cycles but rather a skincare routine. Skin cycling is one of this year's biggest trends with many beauty enthusiasts tailored to it in their daily facial cleansing regime. 

It has become a must-have addition for everyone, regardless of whether you're already well into your skincare journey or just beginning your own exploration! So what exactly is skin cycling and why are so many turning to this trend? 

Read on to find out more about this hot new skincare sensation.

What is skin cycling?

If you thought "cycling" was only about riding bikes, think again! Skin cycling is a different kind of cycling altogether — there’s no two-wheeled transportation or workout involved. Instead, skin cycling is all about the way we take care of our skin and the products that can help us do so. But what exactly is skin cycling?

It's a four nights regimen that involves alternating between active ingredients like exfoliants and retinol, followed by a recovery period. The classic skin cycling routine is all about finding a balance between aggressive treatment and nourishing recovery. By incorporating this regimen into your routine, you can help to improve the texture and appearance of your skin while still allowing it to effectively recover between treatments.

Why should I try the cycling routine?

The four-day skin cycling routine can be a game-changer for many reasons. Here are 5 reasons you might want to give it a try!

1. Personalized Skin Care

    This routine recognizes that your skin's needs can change regularly. By alternating between active ingredients and recovery periods, you're essentially tailoring your skincare regimen to cater to these varying needs.

    2. Optimized Benefits of each product 

    Exfoliants and retinol are powerhouse skincare ingredients with proven benefits. By dedicating specific days to each, you're ensuring your skin reaps the full benefits of these skin cycling routine products

    3. Minimized Irritation

    Overuse of active ingredients can lead to skin irritation, especially on those with sensitive skin. The built-in recovery days in this routine give your skin a chance to rest and recover, reducing the risk of overdoing it.

    4. Building Tolerance

    Gradually introducing active ingredients allows your skin time to build up a tolerance to the skin cycling products, reducing the likelihood of adverse reactions on your skin barrier.

    5. Improves your Skin Health

    Over time, this routine can lead to improved skin health, with potential benefits including smoother texture, brighter complexion, reduced fine lines, and fewer breakouts.

    How does the skin cycling routine actually work?

    We are here to explain all the nitty-gritty details of how to skin cycle and what kind of products work best for this incredible routine. 

    Let's jump into understanding this revolutionary trend that has become a regular habit among many hardcore beauty enthusiasts!

    Day 1: Exfoliation Night

    Start with a gentle cleanser, then apply an exfoliating product. Exfoliants, which include alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), work to remove dead skin cells, promoting a brighter and smoother complexion.

    Make sure you choose the right exfoliating acids according to your skin type. Here are our favorite skin cycling products for the first night!

    Best exfoliator for normal skin
    Special Solution Honey Black Sugar Scrub from Mizon - Asian Beauty Essentials
    Best exfoliator for normal skin Special Solution Honey Black Sugar Scrub from Mizon
    Sale price$21.00

    This scrub is like a comforting hug for your skin—but better! 

    Utilizing natural cane sugar and raw honey to keep things feeling soft and sweet, this scrub is the ultimate way to get rid of dead skin cells without irritating the skin. It contains a blend of moisturizing oils that helps balance the environment on your face. Plus it smells great!

    Forget other exfoliators that leave your skin raw and irritated; this gentle, light formula is specifically designed for sensitive skin with green tea extract that will help protect and nourish while deeply cleaning away dirt, oil, impurities and dead skin cells. The unique gauze pads gently scrub away congestion leaving your complexion smooth and radiant - so you can finally feel confident up close and personal.

    Best exfoliator for dry skin
    AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
    Best exfoliator for dry skin AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid
    Sale price$25.00

    The gentle exfoliator that will transform your dry skin! This cleverly formulated yet powerful liquid is designed to remove dead skin cells, dirt, and oil while still leaving your skin feeling hydrated and soft. 

    The AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid is enriched with seven natural ingredients – bilberry leaf extract, sugar maple extract, sugarcane extract, orange fruit extract, lemon extract, Willow bark extract, and aloe vera extract – all of which work together to nourish and lock in moisture for all-day hydration. It penetrates deep below the skin's surface to combat tough whiteheads without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

    Best exfoliator for oily and acne prone skin:
    BHA Blackhead Power Liquid - Asian Beauty Essentials
    Best exfoliator for oily and acne prone skin: BHA Blackhead Power Liquid
    Sale price$25.00

    The must-have facial product on the skin care routine for anyone with acne prone or oily skin that is looking to fight breakouts and get their skin back under control. This revolutionary exfoliator eliminates dirt, oil, and impurities so quickly and easily that it'll feel like magic! 

    Formulated with natural botanical extracts, this power liquid cleanses your pores deeply. Its active ingredient Betaine Salicylate helps to remove dead skin cells and other impurities from your face, whilst leaving you feeling smooth and refreshed. In addition to this, its antibacterial properties help to prevent future breakouts. All of this results in healthier-looking skin that makes you feel more confident than ever before!

    Best exfoliator for combination skin
    Lemon Sparkling Peeling Pad - Asian Beauty Essentials
    Best exfoliator for combination skin Lemon Sparkling Peeling Pad
    Sale price$22.00

    A combination skin's little miracle! Don't just settle for regular exfoliators that leave your skin feeling dry and irritated. Get the deep cleanse you need with our exfoliating peeling pad. With a unique sparkling texture, it gently exfoliates your skin while stimulating your pores to eliminate dirt, oil, and impurities without causing irritation. 

    Plus, its special lemon extract formula helps to balance sebum production on excess oily areas so you can experience an even-toned complexion.

    Related article: What is Exfoliation? 

    Day 2: Retinol Night

    After cleansing, apply a retinol product. Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, helps boost cell turnover and collagen production, reducing signs of aging and enhancing skin tone and texture.

    Day 3 & 4: Recovery Nights

    These two days are for skin rest and rejuvenation for your skin. Use a gentle cleanser, followed by hydrating and soothing products, such as a hyaluronic acid serum or a nourishing, calming moisturizer.

    Then, repeat this cycle.

    Here are a few recommendations for recovery nights!

    Best exfoliator for combination skin
    Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum - Asian Beauty Essentials
    Best exfoliator for combination skin Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
    Sale price$25.00

    This is more than just a regular face serum; it’s a night-time recovery hero specifically formulated for those with sensitive skin. 

    The rich formula is made with Beta Glucan, which helps keep essential moisture in the skin, while coconut oil and jojoba oils help seal in the hydration and nourish skin. Not only that – this fast-acting dose of liquid gold locks in moisture on a daily basis, giving your skin an intense boost of hydration without feeling heavy or greasy on your face.

    Soothing serum
    Tea Tree Relief Serum - Asian Beauty Essentials
    Soothing serum Tea Tree Relief Serum
    Sale price$20.00

    It hydrates your skin during your off recovery nights as part of your regular skin cycling routine, helping you achieve happier, healthier-looking skin. 

    This concentrated serum is formulated with natural tea tree extract to penetrate deep into the layers of your skin for maximum hydration. Plus, its diminutive size allows it to fit into even the most cluttered handbags or purses. So whether you’re out and about or just chilling at home, this powerful serum will always be within reach!

    This amazing serum is designed to hydrate and nourish your skin while also giving it a boost. And the best part? After just a few applications of this serum, you'll be feeling the difference right away! When used as part of an effective skin cycling routine, our Hyaluronic Acid Pure 100 is perfect for nighttime recovery. 

    This powerful hydration booster helps keep your skin looking plump and refreshed following your night-time routine so you can awaken refreshed and beautiful every morning.

    Repairing cream
    Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
    Repairing cream Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream
    Sale price$26.00

    The must-have skin product for all skin types. This one is all you need to REPAIR and REGENERATE your skin for a more youthful look! 

    When it comes to skin regeneration, you don't have to be a snail. With this rich cream, your recovery nights can be faster than you expect! Designed with an ultra-hydrating blend of natural ingredients, only Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream provides powerful results. 

    The star performer in this bottle? The all-star ingredient is snails’ mucin extract - derived from real snails and chosen because of its unique fusion of HA, glycolic acid, collagen boosting peptides, elastin, and antioxidants. These properties combine to deeply hydrate while helping protect and renew your fresh skin cells during night-time recovery cycles.

    Moisturizing lotion
    Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion - Asian Beauty Essentials
    Moisturizing lotion Oil-Free Ultra-Moisturizing Lotion
    Sale price$30.00

    Are you an oily, acne-prone person looking for the perfect lotion to moisturize your skin through recovery nights of your skincare routine? Look no more! Introducing OIL-FREE ULTRA-MOISTURIZING LOTION, the fountain of youth for tired and dull skin.

    The best part about this product is that it offers hydration without any unnecessary oil. That's right! No grease here. And the innovative formula ensures that all vital elements are included to give you a youthful, glowing complexion. 

    This ultra-moisturizing lotion helps keep skin hydrated and gives you a deeply pampered feeling with each application, so don't feel guilty if you decide to indulge in an extra self-care session! You deserve it.

    How about the results?

    Don’t despair! Results will come with time and patience, you just need to be consistent in your routine. 

    If you notice that your skin is well adapting to this routine, you may decrease the night of recovery. However, if you're getting particularly sensitive skin you must increase the resting nights, besides if your skin gets irritated for using retinol you should visit a board certified dermatologist.

    It’s all about finding and understanding your specific skin needs.

    Where to find the best skin cycling routine products?

    With the right skin cycling routine in place, you will be able to keep your skin healthy and free from inflammation. 

    Our product recommendations were just a few of the great options available to kick start your amazing skin care journey. But don't stop there - check our other page at Asian Beauty Essential's page for even more great options for keeping your skin in its best condition.

    Now that you’ve been empowered with the knowledge of this viral skin cycling trend and where to find some of the top products for a perfect skin cycling routine, go out there and get your glow on!

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