Skin cycling can be a good approach to skincare, especially for those who experience irritation from active ingredients.
Here's why:
Skin cycling is a strategic approach to skincare that involves rotating active ingredients with rest days. The primary benefit of skin cycling is that it minimizes potential side effects posed by an exfoliating skincare routine, according to Dr. Rubin. “You significantly reduce the risk of skin irritation, burning, stinging, or flaking compared to if you were using these ingredients every night of the week,” she adds.
Benefits of Skin Cycling:
- Reduced Irritation: By giving the skin rest days, the risk of irritation from powerful active ingredients is minimized.
- Improved Skin Barrier Function: Rest days allow the skin barrier to recover and repair itself.
- Enhanced Product Effectiveness: When skin isn't constantly irritated, it may be more receptive to active ingredients.
Potential Drawbacks:
While the provided reference emphasizes the positive aspects of skin cycling, potential drawbacks (not discussed in the provided reference, but relevant to the question) could include:
- Slower Results: Compared to daily use of active ingredients, results might be observed more slowly with skin cycling.
- Finding the Right Cycle: It can take time to determine the ideal cycle length and products for an individual's skin.
- May Not Be Necessary for All: Individuals with very resilient skin that tolerates daily use of active ingredients may not need to skin cycle.
In summary, skin cycling is a good option for those who experience irritation or sensitivity from regular use of active skincare ingredients, allowing for benefits with minimized side effects.
