In skin cycling, toner application depends on the specific day of your cycle and the type of toner used.
Understanding Skin Cycling Phases
Skin cycling involves a four-day cycle, strategically using active ingredients to avoid irritation and maximize benefits. A typical cycle includes:
- Night 1: Exfoliation: Use an exfoliating product like a chemical exfoliant (AHAs/BHAs).
- Night 2: Retinol: Apply a retinol product to boost cell turnover.
- Night 3 & 4: Recovery: Focus on skin barrier repair and hydration with gentle products.
Toner Use Based on Skin Cycling Phase
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Nights 3 & 4 (Recovery): This is the ideal time to use a non-active toner or hydrator. These toners are designed to prep your skin for better moisture absorption from subsequent products like moisturizers. They are not intended to actively exfoliate or treat the skin. Consider this step after your cleanser and before moisturizing. A hydrating toner can also be used on nights with active ingredients but it’s recommended to apply after the exfoliant or retinol has fully absorbed. This approach is suggested in several sources, including this quote: "After the product has fully penetrated, use a non-active toner/hydrator to prep skin for moisturization."
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Night 1 & 2 (Exfoliation & Retinol): While some individuals might incorporate an active toner containing ingredients like glycolic acid on exfoliation nights, this is generally not recommended. Combining multiple active ingredients simultaneously increases the risk of skin irritation and sensitization. The focus is on the main active ingredient for each night. For example, this Reddit post shows that some individuals are unsure about toner usage, demonstrating the potential for confusion. (https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/comments/x7eq7y/skin_cycling_am_i_doing_it_right_routine_help/)
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Morning Routine: Some routines, as demonstrated in this example (https://uncovertheglow.com/skin-cycling-update/), include a toner in the morning routine, but this is generally a hydrating/non-active toner and doesn't contradict the core principles of skin cycling.
In summary: Use a non-active, hydrating toner on recovery nights (3 & 4) to prepare your skin for moisturizer. Avoid active toners on exfoliation (1) and retinol (2) nights. You can, however, incorporate a hydrating toner in the morning routine.
