Key points:

• The basics of cycling PM skincare products.
• Why evening is the most effective time to cycle skincare ingredients.
• Esthetician-approved tips and products to elevate standard skin cycling.

Skin cycling routines aren’t new, but in my opinion, the basic protocol is missing a few key steps. Cycling your nighttime skincare products may require a bit more time than your current routine, but it delivers desired results. In addition to the steps below, the quality of your products matter. The most effective products are concentrated, gentle, and multi-tasking. Here’s how to elevate your current PM skincare routine or implement cycling for the first time. 

WHAT IS SKIN CYCLING?

Skin cycling is a nightly skincare routine that strategically alternates the actives you apply to your skin. It’s a 4-day cycle, in which you Treat your skin for 2 days, and allow it to Rest and Repair for 2 days.

Rest and Repair days are crucial, as many skincare products, such as AHA, BHA, and retinol aren’t designed to be applied daily. Even gentle premium formulations can damage your skin if you don’t use the as directed. However, you might not be sure what order to layer advanced actives, or how often to apply them. For example, if you layer acids, Vitamin C, or retinol incorrectly, irritation is inevitable. You’ll also inflame your skin if you apply acids or retinol too frequently. The 4-day cycle below eliminates product frequency and layering confusion.

WHY DOES SKIN NEED TIME TO REST AND REPAIR?

Maintaining your  skin barrier is everything! In an effort to accelerate outcomes, you may be tempted to take the “more is better” approach. Especially if you’re pleased with your initial results. I understand your desire to restore and rejuvenate your skin as efficiently as possible, but improper product use stands to do more damage than good. 

Providing your skin with days of rest between harsher actives gives it time to restore. Again, investing in concentrated but gentle formulations minimizes irritation. But even encapsulated retinol (which I discuss more below) can irritate when used incorrectly.

WHY IS PRODUCT CYCLING A NIGHTTIME SKINCARE ROUTINE?

Cycling your products doesn’t have to be limited to the evenings. As a Master Esthetician, I suggest cycling products in both the mornings and the evenings. I also suggest cycling targeted actives seasonally and as needed. Multi-step routines aren’t for everyone, so I understand if you only want to cycle skincare ingredients at night.

• Evening is the most effective time to cycle because:
• Sleep is when your skin (and body) heals and repairs.
• You typically have more time in the evenings than in the mornings.

Once you’re home for the night, you’re exposed to fewer free radicals.

ELEVATED 4-STEP PM SKIN CYCLING ROUTINE

Here’s how I suggest cycling your actives in the evenings, and a few bonus tips for your morning skincare routine.

NIGHT 1: EXFOLIATE

Cleanse your skin with pH balancing formulations, such as  NeoGenesis Cleanser or CBE Botanicals Clean + Gentle Cleanser. These formulas nourish while they cleanse, prepping your skin for exfoliation. Both are gentle enough to use as a double cleanser and can be applied to the face, neck, eyes, and lips to dissolve makeup.

Cycling Exfoliators

I suggest cycling between acid exfoliators, especially if you are 40+. As your skin matures, granular exfoliation isn’t enough to remove buildup. The acids below lift buildup to smooth and brighten, while ensuring products can penetrate to the deeper layers.

• In the first 4-day cycle, apply  NeoGenesis Salicylic Acid Gel. It contains 2% Salicylic Acid to exfoliate while soothing redness. It also helps with adult acne, which many women experience in perimenopause.

• In the second 4-day cycle, use   CBE Botanicals In the Clear Pads. These pre-moistened pads contain a powerful trio of acids, 5% Mandelic Acid, 5% Lactic Acid, and 0.5% Salicylic Acid. They’re textured, so they double as gentle mechanical exfoliation. They’re particularly refreshing on days when you’re extra sweaty or grimy.

NIGHT 2: RETINOL

Retinol (vitamin A) is a wonder vitamin for the skin. It brightens skin, fades pigmentation, thickens thinning skin, and targets fine lines and wrinkles. However, my retinol advice may differ from your dermatologist. Prescription formulations are harsh, they redden skin and leave it dry, flaky, and irritated. But, it’ doesn’t have to be that way!

Prescription retinols are unencapsulated. This means that they sit on top of the skin, irritating it as it absorbs into the deeper layers to work its magic. I suggest using encapsulated formulations. With encapsulated retinol, the vitamin A doesn’t get to “work”, until it reaches the deeper layers.

Cycling Retinol

Cleanse first, then apply   CBE Botanicals Sleep On It. If you prefer, you can apply a non-acid and non-vitamin C serum to your face first, allowing 5 minutes between layers. I only apply encapsulated retinol in the evenings, as retinol sensitizes your skin. I’m someone who is extremely sensitive to retinol, and this formulation is gentle enough for me. Expect your skin to redden, but it should not feel dry, flakey, or irritated. Redness will subside by morning.

NIGHTS 3 AND 4: REPAIR AND RECOVER

My approach to skin cycling relies heavily on nourishing, hydrating, and regenerative serums. My top picks for Repair and Recovery are exosomes-infused formulations. You can apply either of the serums above in the mornings too, as exosomes work best if they’re applied at least once per day. Twice per day for maximum efficacy and accelerated outcomes. Apply your preferred moisturizer after the serums below dry.

Cycling Reparative Serums

• For accelerated aging, damaged skin, or inflamed skin, apply  NeoGenesis Recovery Serum. This formulation contains 70% of NeoGenesis’s patented S²RM® technology. It’s not the only exosomes/topical skin cell technology on the market, but it’s the only brand I’ve found that works. For damaged and inflamed skin, cycle this serum in your routine twice a day for at least 90 days.

• For proactive repair or early lines and wrinkles, I suggest  NeoGenesis Skin Restore Serum. In addition to exosomes, it’s formulated to supercharge skin renewal, minimize lines and wrinkles, enhance elasticity, and fade sunspots and hyperpigmentation.

BONUS PRO TIPS: COMPLEMENTARY SKINCARE PRODUCTS

Eye Care

Don’t forget your eyes, as they’re often the first place to display visible signs of aging! The skin surrounding your eyes is thin and sensitive, so the cleansers above are the only ones you can apply on and around your eyes. I suggest applying   NeoGenesis Eye Serum in the mornings and evenings for proactive repair or reactive rejuvenation. 

Moisturizers

To ensure your skin gets its daily dose of exosomes, layer  NeoGenesis Moisturizing Mist or NeoGenesis Intensive Moisture on after your serums on Exfoliate and Retinol days.

On Repair and Recovery Nights, layer  CBE Botanicals Renew + Hydrate. This luxurious formulation contains a duo of powerful peptides and an anti-aging complex that is clinically proven to boost firmness by up to 55% in just 2 weeks. It deeply hydrates and supports skin resilience.

Restorative Masks

If your skin is sensitized, irritated, or parched, apply  CBE Hydrate + Conduct Gel once a week on any day other than your Retinol day. Apply a thin layer after cleansing, leave on for 10 to 15 minutes, and rinse off before continuing with the rest of your evening skincare protocol. Or apply  Dr. Esthé Rejuvenating Ampoule on Repair and Recovery nights before your moisturizer. Let your first serum dry for 3 to 5 minutes and let your ampoule dry for about 10 minutes before applying your moisturizer.

AM Vitamin C

Support the skin cycling protocol above by cycling vitamin C in the mornings. I suggest alternating between Triple C + Gold Serum and Brighten The Day Serum. These multi-tasking serums nourish, calm, and brighten your complexion. They’re formulated with a premium and gentle form of vitamin C, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. Yes, you can apply vitamin C on your Retinol day, as long as you apply vitamin C in the morning.

LET’S DISCUSS HOW TO SKIN CYCLE WHILE ADDRESSING YOUR SKIN CONDITIONS

Now that you know how to cycle your night-time skincare products, you may be wondering how to treat your individual skin conditions. Join the CBE Rewards Club for direct access to me. As a member, you’ll receive exclusive skincare tips for your local climate, lifestyle, skin type, and unique skin conditions.

I offer a 14-Day FREE preview with full access to everything in the Club. This includes answers to your personal skincare questions and access to exclusive content and discounts. If you don’t find value in your membership, cancel within 14 days at no charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to use retinol for skin cycling?

If your skin is sensitive to retinol or you don’t want to use retinol for any reason, apply CBE Botanicals Fruity Peptide+ Serum instead. This is a silky, feather-light, and multi-tasking formulation that absorbs rapidly into the skin. It prevents sunspots and pigmentation before they form while hydrating, plumping, and refreshing the skin. But remember, almost everyone can use encapsulated retinol 2 to 3 days a week without irritation.

How long should you cycle skincare products?

This 4-day protocol is designed to be continuous. However, I would pause the retinol after exposure to harsh weather or any time your skin is dry, irritated, or damaged. Also, after harsh skincare treatments, including lasers, peels, and IPL. When skin is damaged, pause Exfoliation for 1 week, and Retinol for 2 to 4 weeks—or until skin is healed, making every night Rest and Repair. 

What are the downsides of skin cycling?

As long as you use gentle, concentrated, and premium ingredients, and layer your products correctly, your skin will heal and repair. If you use or incorrectly layer harsh acids, apply unencapsulated retinol, or use products incorrectly it can dry, damage, and irritate your skin.