What is skin cycling? Experts explain the TikTok skin care trend
It may sound like a workout for your face, but skin cycling is actually a routine that prioritizes rest and recovery for your skin. The method was coined by Dr. Whitney Bowe and has taken off on TikTok with other skin care experts and novices alike touting its skin benefits. “Skin cycling is a trend that became popular on TikTok, but the concept has been practiced by skin care professionals for many years,” says Amy Peterson, medical aesthetician and founder of Miami medspa Skincare by Amy Peterson.
“I have always called it ‘cream rotation’ for my patients because it reminds me of grade school when they explained ‘crop rotation,’ and also because I find that seasonal variations can exist for people’s skin care regimens, especially in changing climates like New York City,” explains Dr. Sherwin Parikh, co-founder of Tribeca Skin Center and A.P. Chem.
Like skinimalism, skin cycling is about not overwhelming your skin with too many products. By creating a schedule for your skin care, you can optimize the benefits of your products and avoid side effects from powerful ingredients like dryness and irritation.