Written by OSEA Staff | Published March 19, 2025
While scrolling your TikTok feed, you might have encountered skincare-related content focused on the benefits of skin cycling. Intrigued? You're not alone. In fact, #skincycling has gained traction, garnering 122.3 million views¹. Although the term is new — coined by board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD — the idea of using products tactically instead of layering day in and day out has been around for some time now.
In this article, we'll answer the question: "What is skin cycling?" We'll also let you know why trying it is an excellent idea and how to incorporate our products into your skin cycling routine.
Skin Cycling Explained
Have you ever layered products containing potent active ingredients and noticed your skin feels irritated afterward? Skin cycling is a four-day skincare technique meant to curb discomfort by spacing out the use of harsh products. This technique helps simplify often complex and time-consuming nighttime skincare routines. Exfoliate on day one, use a retinoid on day two and let your skin rest and recover on days three and four.
Skin cycling allows you to enjoy the benefits of each product without the skin barrier-compromising drawbacks like itching, redness and dryness.
Is Skin Cycling for Everyone?
If you're starting with a nightly skincare routine or your current regimen is causing excessive irritation, skin cycling might be the best solution to achieve a glowing, healthier-looking appearance as your skin repairs itself overnight. Alternatively, you might consider modifying your routine by using a gentler alternative to traditional retinol (a type of retinoid), like our algae-derived bio-retinol Dream Night Serum.
Apply a few drops to your face and neck, allowing the bio-retinol to visibly improve lines, wrinkles and skin firmness while hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid reduces the look of deeper wrinkles. The best part? Our newest serum doesn’t contain irritating vitamin A, so it’s gentle enough to use every single day for enhanced results — no skin cycling required!
Your Ideal Skin Cycling Routine with OSEA Malibu Products
Night 1
Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser like our soothing Ocean Cleansing Milk, which removes makeup and impurities without stripping your skin's moisture barrier. Follow with an exfoliant like Seaglow Overnight Serum AHA Treatment, which promotes skin cell turnover so you wake up with smoother, more radiant-looking skin. As the final step, apply a rich overnight moisturizer like our Dream Night Cream to help dry, stressed, mature skin bounce back while you sleep.
Night 2
Follow the same cleansing ritual as night one and then apply an alternative to traditional retinol like our Dream Night Serum, featuring algae-derived bio-retinol plus 2 firming peptides (tripeptide and tetrapeptide) that smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles for a confidence-boosting complexion. Unlike traditional retinol products, Dream Night Serum is safe to use every night of your skin cycling schedule and beyond.
Apply Dream Night Cream, which also contains plant-based bio-retinol, after Dream Night Serum and before face oil for enhanced results.
Night 3 and 4
These are skin cycling recovery nights. Wash your face, then apply a hydrating serum like our Hyaluronic Sea Serum to restore and maintain optimal moisture levels while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic Sea Serum and Dream Night Serum are even better together! Apply Hyaluronic Sea Serum first followed by Dream Night Serum to reap the benefits of both products.
After the fourth night, start the cycle again.
Customize to Maximize Skin Cycling Benefits
It's essential to recognize that your skin is unique, and you can adjust your skin cycle routine to maximize the benefits. For example, if you have especially sensitive or dry skin, using exfoliating products two days in a row might be too harsh and irritating. In this case, you might want to spread out the process further.
Remember, you can customize your routine to your skin's needs, and slow and steady is the best way to see results and avoid damaging your skin barrier. Continue to follow the additional steps in your routine (like applying our Ocean Eyes® Age-Defying Serum — helping brighten and firm the look of tired eyes) seven days a week.
Sources
¹Barrie, L. (October 20, 2022). What Is ‘Skin Cycling,’ and Should You Try It? Everyday Health. Retrieved February 5, 2025, from https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-skin/what-is-skin-cycling-and-should-you-try-it/
