I tried TikTok’s ‘skin cycling’ trend so you don’t have to

For the past four weeks, I’ve been trialling the method and I must say I’m pretty hooked.

If your TikTok feed is anything like mine, there’s no doubt the past few months have seen your For You Page bombarded with a flurry of rather questionable beauty advice and ‘hacks’. From the ‘clean girl’ beauty trend to sunscreen contouring, it can be hard to distinguish the good from the bad.

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So when the words ‘skin cycling’ started surfacing on my cracked phone screen, I was pretty intrigued. A quick scroll on the Explore Page quickly quelled my fears of viewing middle-aged men in cycling boots and lyrca and I soon learnt that the trend was started by renowned dermatologist, Dr Whitney Bowe.

So what exactly is skin cycling?

Much like the name suggests, skin cycling is a streamlined approach to a weekly skincare routine. With people at home more than ever during the pandemic, Dr Bowe found that although skin education was at an all-time high, people were taking a ‘more-is-better’ approach.

In short, Dr Bowe introduced a four-day, nighttime-only routine that prioritises a gentle, rounded approach to a typical skincare routine. The most appealing part of all this? It’s super accessible and suitable for beauty lovers of all levels. For the past four weeks, I’ve been trialling the method, and I must say I’m pretty hooked.

Night one

The first step in the cycle is exfoliation night. As someone with pretty sensitive and acne-prone skin as a teenager, I’ve had my fair share of exfoliation-induced battle scars (I’m looking at you St. Ives Apricot Scrub), so I was rather relieved to hear that Dr Bowe recommends using a chemical solution as opposed to a physical scrub. I find chemical exfoliants tend to be kinder to sensitive skin and do a great job at removing dead skin cells and improving overall skin texture.

After washing my skin with a gentle cleanser, I go in with my Grown Alchemist Enzyme Facial Exfoliant and let it work its magic for five to ten minutes. It’s a natural, exfoliant-rich product with a delicious blend of fruit and plant-based extracts, and it leaves my face smelling like a big, juicy papaya (tick). Once washed off, I pat dry and follow up with my La Roche Posay B5 Serum to encourage hydration, and seal it all in with my Ultraceuticals Calming Moisturiser Cream.

Night two

Much like night one, night two begins with a gentle cleanser to prep the face. Next is the star of night two: retinol. A derivative of vitamin A, retinol is an antioxidant that works to boost cell turnover, increase collagen production, provide anti-ageing benefits and combat pigmentation.

It’s important to note that despite the myriad of benefits that retinol provides, education goes a long way, particularly for first-time users, as over-use can come with unwanted (and itchy) side effects. As someone prone to irritation and flare-ups, I’ve found that rotating my use of retinol with bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative) has worked a treat.

After cleansing, I ensure my face is completely dry, as damp skin can increase the risk of irritation. When it comes to retinol, Dr Bowe advises that less is more, and recommends using a pea-sized amount to cover the entire face. My go-to retinol is the Kiehl’s Fast Release Wrinkle-Reducing Night Serum. It’s paraben, silicone and fragrance-free meaning it’s perfect for sensitive skin.

On the nights when I opt for a bakuchiol serum as a retinoid alternative, the Saya Glow Serum works wonders. It’s a little more gentle than a regular retinol while achieving similar results. Once I’m all lathered up, I sandwich together the goodness with my moisturiser and I’m off to bed.

Nights three and four

There’s nothing I love more than a little treat, and nights three and four are exactly that. While my skin has been hard at work the past two nights, it’s time for a little R&R. As Dr Bowe puts it, it’s all about recovery and rehydration. After cleansing my face, I like to leave it a little damp before going in with my La Roche Posay B5 Serum, and, if I’m feeling a little fancy or have some extra time up my sleeve, I follow up with an Eaoron Hyaluronic Acid Face Mask.

They’re deeply hydrating and firming and are the kind of face masks that actually fit your face. To follow, I like something a little richer to lather on top, so I typically opt for the Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream followed by the Sunday Riley Juno Oil.

The verdict?

When I tell you this is by far the best beauty bandwagon I’ve jumped on in a long while, I’m not exaggerating. For the first eight days, my skin was definitely on the precipice of a tantrum, but I persevered and I’m glad I did. After about two weeks of implementing skin cycling into my nighttime routine, my overall skin texture was far more even, brighter and generally more glowy.

Despite my hesitation – my skin’s a sensitive Sally – I’ve loved the alternation between the retinol and bakuchiol serum, and I can definitely see the benefits of incorporating plant-based products into my routine. I also enjoyed having a set routine to cycle through; it made the world of skincare a lot less overwhelming. So, should you give it a go? In short, yes. It’s no wonder this trend has been backed by dermatologists globally.

To discover more on Dr Bowe and the benefits of skin cycling, head here.