Beauty methods to maintain healthy skin are proliferating on social media. The latest trend to follow suit? Skin cycling. Focus on this new routine to adopt. 

In beauty, the term "skin cycling" (or "skin cycle") refers to a skincare approach that involves adjusting your routine according to your skin's needs, which can vary depending on various factors such as the seasons, hormones, age, the environment, and other internal and external influences. It is a dynamic and adaptable approach to meet the skin's changing needs over time... Currently, this method, which can be likened to a return to basics, is absolutely taking social media by storm, with no fewer than 468 million views on TikTok for the hashtag #skincycling. 

Discover our comprehensive guide to understand and know which facial skincare routine to adopt.

What is skin cycling? Explanations

The concept of skin cycling recognizes that the skin barrier is not static and that its needs can differ from day to day, month to month, or season to season. For example, in winter, the skin can be drier and require increased hydration, while in summer, it can be oilier and require lighter, mattifying products. Above all, it highlights the fact that a skincare routine does not necessarily need to be followed daily, but should allow the skin to breathe on recovery nights. 

What does it involve?

Skin cycling involves using a variety of facial products, such as: cleansers, exfoliants (to remove dead skin cells), eye contour serums and facial serums, sunscreen, masks, and creams (enriched with hyaluronic acid for enhanced hydration), and alternating them with recovery nights (leaving the skin bare) according to the skin barrier's needs at different times. For example, you can use a gentle cleanser in the morning to remove impurities from the night and a deeper cleanser in the evening to remove makeup and dirt accumulated throughout the day, while allowing your skin to breathe at night without any products. 

This personalized approach is close to the skin's natural cycle and allows you to better target specific problems, avoid product overload, and reduce the risk of sensitivity or adverse reactions. What you need to understand is that skin cycling is not a one-size-fits-all approach; everyone has different skincare needs, and everyone must adapt accordingly. It is therefore essential to understand your skin's individual needs and adopt the skincare routine that suits you best. Obviously, if you have specific skin problems, it is always best to consult a dermatologist or skin care professional to get personalized recommendations.

The results and benefits of "skin cycling"

As you may have guessed, skin cycling offers numerous advantages and benefits to the skin when practiced properly and adapted to each person's needs. 

What a skin cycling routine can offer you: 

More balanced skin: By adjusting the skincare routine according to the skin's changing needs, you can maintain an optimal balance. This can help prevent skin imbalances such as excess sebum, dryness, or blemishes.

Improved specific skin problems: Skin cycling allows you to target specific skin problems more effectively, such as acne, dark spots, fine lines, etc. By using products suited to the skin's current needs, you can achieve better results.

Reduced sensitivity: By avoiding the excessive or inappropriate use of certain products, you can reduce the risk of skin sensitivity or irritation.
Radiance and luminosity: By providing the skin with the appropriate care, skin cycling can help reveal a more radiant and luminous complexion for a guaranteed fresh-skin effect.

Effective hydration: By using moisturizing products suited to the skin's needs without drowning it in a pile of formulas, you can maintain optimal hydration and prevent dryness for perfect skin.

Prevention of premature aging: By using antioxidant products and anti-aging ingredients, skin cycling can help prevent the signs of premature aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines.

Adaptability to the seasons and environmental changes: Skin cycling is suitable for all skin types (oily skin, dry skin, or normal skin) and allows you to adapt to seasonal variations and environmental conditions that can influence the skin's needs. The skincare routine is not the same in summer and winter.

Better product absorption: By allowing the bare skin to regenerate from time to time (thanks to recovery nights) and using the right products at the right time, it becomes more receptive to active ingredients, allowing for better product absorption and more effective results.