What Is Skin Cycling and Why Is It Trending in 2025?

If you and your TikTok/Insta/insert your channel of choice are in constant contact, then you’ll more than likely have stumbled across this viral trend. But if your life isn’t quite so online-focused, then the skin cycling trend might be something that you’re not quite so familiar with.

In short, a skin cycling routine is the use of different skin treatments over a repeatable 4-nightly period. The steps are:

1. Night 1: Exfoliation
2. Night 2: Retinoid
3. Night 3: Recovery
4. Night 4: Recovery

And repeat…

OK, so all very simple so far. However… While such a mix and match method can bring about results, there are also a bunch of precautions because—let’s face it—exfoliation and retinoid skin care can be quite harsh, especially if inexpertly done and/or your skin is on the sensitive side.

With that in mind, let’s delve a little deeper into skin cycling, how to determine the right exfoliation schedule, and the correct use of retinoid products.

A Skin Cycling Routine: the pros, the cons, and individual considerations

On the plus side, skin cycling provides you with a very simple routine that’s easy to follow. Advocates say that following the 2 days on-2 days off schedule can bring results, such as:

• Reduced breakouts.
• Improved skin texture.
• Less skin irritation.

As dermatologists, we don’t disagree that, potentially, skin cycling might do just that. But… There has never been and never will be a one-size-fits-all for skin care. You, your body, your skin, your diet, and all the other idiosyncrasies that make you the wonderful individual you are determine what you should be doing to have the best skin possible.

So, that aside, let’s talk about the considerations for each of the steps.

• Exfoliation: Yes, you need to do this to remove the upper layer of dead skin cells and support the entire skin turnover process (generally 28-30 days, but the exact timing is influenced by many other factors). Most skin cycling routines promote the use of quite strong chemical exfoliation products. Inexpert or overuse of these can cause the very issues you’re trying to improve, like redness, breakouts, sensitivity, dryness, etc. It can also have a negative effect on the skin barrier, a vital protective layer that helps keep moisture in and external skin stressors out. Do we recommend doing it every 4^th night? That all depends on your personal needs.
• Retinoid: Applied on the second night, such products can support collagen production. Over time, this can help with skin tone, firmness, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. But not all skin can cope with such products. Indeed, many people should avoid them altogether, including those who are pregnant or nursing, those with darker skin tones, those with very sensitive skin, or if you have a condition, like eczema or rosacea. Again, whether using a retinoid product once every 4^th night is right for you will depend on your individual requirements.
• Nights 3 & 4 are designed to let your skin recover from the two previous evenings of stronger products. For some, this will be enough. For others—or if you overdid the chemical strength—this won’t be long enough. 

Those who promote the trend do stress that it’s because you’re not combining exfoliation and retinoid use that allows the skin to cope better, plus the 48-hour rest period allows the skin barrier adequate time to recover.

Now, we’re not saying this isn’t the case. But it certainly won’t be for everyone. The world of facial products is vast—and incredibly confusing. Unless that influencer you’re following is also an experienced dermatologist, then they’re more than likely not giving you the well-researched, tried, and tested advice that great skin care really requires.

To sum up, we’re not saying that skin cycling is bad. Indeed, there’s a reason that it’s trending, because it simplifies home skin care and provides you with an easy roadmap that, with the right products (and a few tweaks), can be hugely advantageous.

What we ARE saying is that, if you truly want to benefit from your best skin possible, then we recommend you take expert advice. 

Want to find out more? Begin your journey to beautiful skin at Services | Bayou City Dermatology. We’ll provide all the advice you need on the right skin cycling regime for you and get you right on track to truly loving the skin you’re in.