The world of skincare can feel overcomplicated. There are countless ingredients, and it’s only natural to want to try a bit of everything.

But when it comes to your skin, more isn’t always better. Mixing and matching too many ingredients can overwhelm the skin, compromise the skin barrier, and even clog pores. This can lead to increased irritation, blemishes, and sensitivity.

Enter skin cycling. Popularised on TikTok, skin cycling is a method of rotating skincare ingredients over a multi-day cycle. Adopting this simpler, more streamlined routine can improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of breakouts, prevent irritation, and optimize the results from ingredients.

What Products to Use While Skin Cycling

There are two main types of exfoliants: physical and chemical. Physical exfoliants are often gritty scrubs that some may find can irritate the delicate skin of the face. Instead, opt for a more gentle chemical exfoliating acid for the first night of the cycle.

Mandelic Acid 10% + HA, for example, is an exfoliating serum that gently improves skin clarity and texture. Another great option is the Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner, a water-based exfoliant that reduces textural irregularities while enhancing luminosity. It contains a plant extract derived from Tasmanian Pepperberry, which is a known anti-irritant.