Skincare Routine: Skin Cycling

May 31, 2022

Categories: Beauty

As someone with super sensitive skin, allergies, and rosacea I have to be consistent with my skincare routine because the smallest change can completely throw off my progress and wreak havoc on my skin. For example, I was recently traveling and my skin even reacted to the hotel towels and sheets I used; I was thankful to get home and begin focusing on my skincare routine again. My routine is my self care at the end of a long day and something I really invest in because I feel my best when my skin is looking clear and healthy.

And one way I’ve been able to improve my skin and control the irritation/inflammation I sometimes deal with is by implementing skin cycling. It limits the harsher exfoliating and retinol routines to twice every four days so your skin has a chance to recover in between. If you’ve ever wondered what order products should be applied in or how often to exfoliate or use retinol, this post should help.

Of course… Lots of water, makeup-free days, and clean makeup products always improve skin too. I’m happy to share this routine with you – let me know if you use it and it helps you.

Morning: Same Every Day

Night 1: Exfoliate

Night 2: Retinol

Night 3: Recovery

Night 4: Recovery

REPEAT!

Morning Routine:

  1. Cleanse. Cleanse with iS Clinical Cleansing Complex. I like this cleanser because it’s gentle and doesn’t strip my skin, but still removes makeup and leaves my face feeling clean. I use either a soft washcloth or this silicone face brush.
  2. Vitamin C. Apply Paula’s Choice Vitamin C Serum to Face and Neck.
  3. Hyaluronic Acid. Apply ISDIN Hyaluronic Acid Serum to Face and Neck. This serum combines the hydrating quality of hyaluronic acid with extra anti-aging ingredients.
  4. Eye Cream. Gently Pat Cle de Peau Eye Contour Cream Around Eyes. This one is pricey, but it is one of only two eye creams that has ever truly improved my dark circles. (If you live in a humid climate, you can get away with less hydration in this eye cream that also improved my dark circles.) You only need a rice sized amount each time, so one jar should last you close to a year.
  5. Daily Moisturizer. Apply Vanicream Daily Moisturizer to Face and Neck. This is a great simple, inexpensive daily moisturizer for sensitive skin.
  6. Sunscreen. Apply La Roche-Posay Tinted Sunscreen to Face and Neck. I’m super sensitive to sunscreen formulas and this one doesn’t irritate my skin, plus it layers nicely under makeup.

Exfoliate Night:

  1. Cleanse/Remove Makeup. Cleanse with iS Clinical Cleansing Complex.
  2. Physical Exfoliant. Exfoliate with Under Skin Perfect Rice Scrub. This exfoliant is finely milled and gentle on skin.
  3. Cleanse. Cleanse with iS Clinical Cleansing Complex.
  4. Tone. Tone with Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic on Face and Neck. A classic; this gently exfoliating toner adds an extra step of dead skin removal and smoothing to your exfoliating routine.
  5. Exfoliating Serum. Apply iS Clinical Active Serum to Face and Neck. This serum improves skin tone and texture while softening fine lines.
  6. Eye Cream. Gently Pat Cle de Peau Eye Contour Cream Around Eyes.
  7. Face Cream. Apply La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream to Face and Neck. The best way to apply is to rub product between fingertips until warmed, then pat into skin. This releases all the healing properties!

Retinol Night:

  1. Cleanse. Cleanse with iS Clinical Cleansing Complex.
  2. Barrier. Apply Vanicream Daily Moisturizer to smile creases and marionette lines (basically either side of nose down to bottom of chin) as a protective barrier.
  3. Eye Cream. Gently Pat Cle de Peau Eye Contour Cream Around Eyes.
  4. Retinol/Tretinoin. Apply Pea-Sized Amount of Tretinoin on Face and Neck. (Ask your dermatologist!)
  5. Daily Moisturizer. Apply Vanicream Daily Moisturizer All Over Face and Neck.

Recovery Night:

  1. Cleanse. Cleanse with iS Clinical Cleansing Complex.
  2. Eye Cream. Gently Pat Cle de Peau Eye Contour Cream Around Eyes.
  3. Any Prescriptions. Apply Rosacea Creams. (Ask your dermatologist, but a combination of Finacea and Soolantra have been working wonders for me.)
  4. Face Cream. Apply La Mer Moisturizing Soft Cream to Face and Neck.
  5. Face Oil. When Extra Dry… Pat Oil On Top (I like Biossance Squalane Oil.)

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