When it comes to skincare, we tend to warn against following social media trends. While social media is known as being the first port of call for makeup, we’re a bit more skeptical when it comes to skincare. This is because we prefer advice that’s backed by solid evidence, and unfortunately, many trends online are more about hype than substance.  But sometimes these trends surprise us, and by surprise us we mean they’re actually… good.

Enter, skin cycling. The latest and greatest doing the social media rounds and actually, one that is worthy of our attention. If you’re feeling stuck in your skincare routine, this latest trend might just be what the dermatologist ordered (no, seriously a few have jumped online to defend and endorse it. In fact, the concept was actually introduced by dermatologist Dr Whitney Bowe, and it's gaining momentum precisely because it has the backing of skin experts. Plus, if you’ve even opened social media recently and your algorithm knows what's up, it’s everywhere and seemingly hard to ignore. So if you’re a bit bamboozled about whether skin cycling could be right for you, here’s a brief intro and breakdown into what it is and what a skin cycle might look like for you.

What is skin cycling?

The idea behind skin cycling is simple: treat your skincare routine like an exercise regimen, with a focus on both active and recovery days. The approach involves applying specific active ingredients in a set order over a four-day cycle to prevent overwhelming your skin. Think of it as a skincare version of a HIIT workout: you spend two nights a week rejuvenating your skin and two nights supporting your skin barrier, then repeat. So, after cleansing, you exfoliate on the first night, use retinol on the second night, and for the third and fourth nights, you focus on nourishing your skin with hydrating creams that help repair the skin barrier, preventing dryness and giving your skin time to heal. Seems simple enough, right?

This approach to a skincare routine is particularly beneficial for those who may have a complicated relationship with actives such as retinol. We all know it's the powerhouse ingredient for addressing fine lines, pigmentation, and sagging skin. However, not everyone responds well to it, especially if your skin is on the sensitive side. If we overuse actives (and this definition will vary depending on the person) this can lead to damage to the skin barrier, which can be time-consuming to repair. So rather than ditching the actives altogether in fear of an adverse reaction or overdoing it, skin cycling instead focuses on using actives less frequently and giving your skin time to recover from them.

Your Murad skin cycle routine explained

Here are the basics for your skin cycle routine. However, it’s important to note that adding in steps such as toning and eye creams is also recommended. Toning is safe to do any night, but try to avoid actives such as retinol in both toners and eye creams on your recovery days (days 3 and 4), but more on that later…

Day 1: Exfoliation

The focus of this day is to slough off dead skin cells and unclog pores, which will prepare your skin for better absorption of active ingredients.

Cleanse

Using a gentle cleanser like Murad's Essential-C Cleanser every day is ideal. The focus should be on avoiding any complicated formulas to ensure there are no hidden acids in the cleanser that could irritate the skin. However, if you suffer from acne then swapping this out for your salicylic acid-incorporating cleanser is completely fine too.

Exfoliate

Exfoliation can be incredibly beneficial, yet it’s one of the easiest steps to overdo. However, designating a specific night for applying an exfoliant, such as Murad's AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, ensures that the skin reaps the benefits without experiencing unwanted side effects.

Moisturise

Opt for a rich, hydrating cream that replenishes moisture and strengthens the skin’s barrier, crucial after exfoliation to prevent dryness. The Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is the perfect man for the job.

Day 2: Retinol

Regardless of whether skin cycling is part of the routine. It’s advised to start with a low-strength retinol, applied one to two times per week, gradually increasing both the frequency and concentration over time. Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Serum, containing a gentle yet effective dose of retinol, is great for serving this purpose and is tolerated much more than the stronger forms of retinol (we name no names).

This being said, retinol is the best in the business when it comes to stimulating cell turnover, and addressing signs of ageing, pigmentation and uneven skin tone.

Here’s an example of what your retinol night might look like…

Cleanse

Prepare the skin by removing impurities while providing antioxidant support to enhance the effectiveness of the retinol treatment with Murad's Essential-C Cleanser.

Retinol Serum

The aforementioned Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Serum is formulated with Retinol Tri-Active Technology, delivering retinol gradually to minimise irritation while boosting skin renewal and reducing signs of ageing.

Moisturise

The Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisture is perfect for day two too. Delivering hydration, supporting the skin as it adjusts to retinol and helping to soothe potential dryness.

Day 3 and 4: Barrier Repair

Quick interlude here… So, what exactly is the skin barrier? In layman’s terms, it's the outermost layer of the skin that acts as a protective shield. When it's damaged, whether it's due to overusing actives or a skin condition, it can result in dry and irritated skin. That’s why committing to a healthy skin barrier function is crucial to maintaining healthy, happy skin.

On nights dedicated to barrier repair, switching between nourishing moisturisers and serums is the name of the game. Here’s an example of how that might look…

Cleanse

Your go-to cleanser is fine, but avoid anything with retinol in it.

Hydration boosters

Provide additional hydration and essential nutrients to support the skin barrier function by alternating between hydrating serums. The Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Serum is an obvious choice due to its ability to repair the skin barrier, and the Murad Revitalixir Recovery Serum is also a fan-favourite for its ability to depuff and soothe.

Moisturise

Because these days are about recovery, it seems wrong not to suggest the Intense Recovery Cream, but if you feel you may have a compromised skin barrier function that needs a little more help then opt for the Cellular Hydration Barrier Repair Cream.

Final thoughts…

Skin cycling is certainly doing the rounds, praised for making skin smooth and calm while keeping irritation and redness at bay. It’s a great way to avoid the common problem of retinol ‘purging’ and reduce the chance of post-inflammatory pigmentation from overusing exfoliants and retinol. Plus, the routine’s focus on simple, hydrating self-care a few times a week is a nice bonus.

While skin cycling isn’t brand new (it’s like an upgrade from the old microdosing trend). The idea is similar: results might come a bit more slowly compared to using high-strength retinol every night, but this gentler approach provides long-term benefits and keeps the skin (and its all-important barrier) happy.