"Skin cycling". It's approved by leading skin experts and dermatologists, so you just know it's going to be good! But what is it exactly? It's simple. Skin cycling is a night-time routine that focusses on using specific active ingredients, on certain days. For example, active ingredients are used for two nights in a row, followed by two nights of recovery, and then repeating the routine as a consistent cycle.
It's a great way to ensure you're kicking your skin goals and keeping your skin barrier in-tact, rather than over-burdening your skin with actives (which can cause more harm than good!). Here's what skin cycling would look like, using RAWKANVAS products.
Night one: Exfoliation
Cleanse your skin as normal, allow to dry, and then use an exfoliating product such as Canvas: AHA & BHA Resurfacing Treatment. Opt for a chemical exfoliant like Canvas (containing AHAs and BHAs to gently polish dead skin cells) over a physical scrub to ensure your skin barrier is well cared for. Apply your usual moisturiser.
Night two: Retinol
Cleanse and tone as normal, then allow to dry. Once your skin is dry (after approximately 60 seconds), mist and dampen your face, applying your retinol product (we recommend The Foundation: Flawless Retinol & Vitamin C Lotion) to dampened skin across your face and neck (this helps to increase absorption of your retinol product, therefore increasing the results). Once your retinol has absorbed completely, apply your usual moisturiser.
Nights three and four: Recovery
After two nights involving exfoliation and skin resurfacing (one of the leading effects of retinol), it's time to give your skin barrier a little TLC. A compromised skin barrier can cause skin irritation, stinging, redness, tightness and even breakouts - so these last two nights of the routine are super important! Cleanse, tone and mist your face before applying a serum containing hyaluronic acid like Eternal: Plumping Deep Sea & Malachite Collagen Serum. Allow to dry, mist your face again and apply a really nourishing moisturiser like Luna Vitality: Restoring Moisture Cream, then sealing the moisture into your skin with an oil like Yester Youth: Regenerating Facial Oil. Nights three and four involve the most skincare layering, and your skin barrier will appreciate all of the TLC you're showing it!
Give it a few weeks, and take note of the results. Your skin should be healthy and glowing! And even better, it's a really easy routine! Enjoy.
