When autumn and darkness offer little else but rain, we skin care lovers can console ourselves with the fact that it is high time to indulge in acids - something the sunniest months of the year are not as well suited for. Away with dead skin cells that give dull skin, this is where the glow comes out!
With the trend and the concept of Skincycling, many people have opened their eyes to the importance of taking care of the skin after a round of exfoliation, so in this article we will explain how you can think when you exfoliate the skin in combination with recovering it afterwards. Of course, we also offer suggestions for a routine!
What is exfoliation?
Exfoliation, or peeling, is something you do to briefly remove dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin. The result is skin with more radiance, smoother texture, more even skin tone and enables subsequent products to sink further into the skin when the dead skin is not in the way, like a layer of dust. An exfoliation can also unclog clogged pores.
There are two types of exfoliation: mechanical and chemical.
The mechanical version works more superficially on the skin and is often in a firmer form, with some type of grain or powder in it. With us you will find, for example, Kanebo - Suisai Beauty Clear Powder Wash, it comes packaged in capsules, which are designed for a single use. The product is water-activated and forms a silky cleanser which contains two different kinds of enzymes and amino acid to cleanse the skin. It is designed to remove dirt, excess sebum and dead skin cells from pores, which helps to prevent clogging that can cause breakouts. It is fragrance and colorant free, making it less irritating to sensitive skin. It is in turn the circular movements of the hands over the face with the product, often in combination with water, that make the exfoliation mechanical. This product is rinsed off with water before continuing with your routine.
Acids or acid peeling are perhaps what chemical exfoliation is best known as. It is a more watery formula that when applied to the skin, either through a cotton pad or with the hands, forms a chemical reaction that removes the top layer of dead skin cells on the skin while going deeper into the skin than a mechanical one. Some are rinsed off after a couple of minutes, while others have a leave-in function that allows you to proceed with the next skin care step without rinsing off the product. Acids go by different names depending on their slightly varying content and functions, for example AHA, BHA or PHA.
Remember! Don't be over diligent with your exfoliation as over-exfoliation can damage the skin's barrier as it begins to affect the healthy, living skin cells. Instead, it has the opposite effect and makes the skin more susceptible to infections and viruses, which can lead to problems that are difficult to get rid of. Therefore, be sure to follow the instructions for each product, especially if you do not yet know how your skin reacts to different exfoliants.
During the day, it is also extremely important to use adequate sun protection to minimize the risk of pigment changes, as acids in particular make the skin sensitive to the sun. Therefore, use acids during the evening routine.
So what does Skincycling mean?
Since an exfoliation, mainly acid-based, is an active product, it can irritate the skin, even if it does good in the long run. It is not unusual for the skin to become a little red or start to peel, especially if you use even stronger acid than you are used to. With Skincycling, you want to balance the skin through an elaborate schedule, where the skin is allowed to work with the active ingredient for one or a couple of evenings and the following evening has the opportunity to recover. It is specifically intended for the evening routine, because as I said, acids should be used in the evening when the stronger content makes the skin sensitive to the sun.
The schedule and variety of products are therefore based on the fact that acids should not be used every night (considering the risk of over-exfoliation), and that in between you make sure to give the skin nutritious and mild ingredients that make it feel good. The system thus provides a clean, clear and soft skin that has received an adequate dose of active ingredients, with minimal irritation!
This is what a Skincycling routine might look like
Curious about how you can get started with Skincycling? Try this routine for a couple of weeks!
Monday evening: Active product with AHA acid, AHA, BHA, PHA 30 Days Miracle Serum by Some By Mi
Tuesday evening: Active product with BHA acid, BHA Blackhead Power Liquid from COSRX
Wednesday evening: Soothing and repairing serum, Revive Serum - Ginseng + Snail Mucin by Beauty of Joseon
Thursday evening: Barrier-strengthening and deeply moisturizing moisturizer, Dynasty Cream by Beauty of Joseon
Friday evening: Active product with mechanical exfoliation, Suisai Beauty Clear Powder Wash from Kanebo or active product with vitamin C such as Shirojyun Premium Whitening Emulsion from Hada Labo
Saturday evening: Cooling and soothing gel, Hatomugi Skin Conditioning Gel from Naturie
Sunday evening: Very soothing moisturizer, Full Fit Propolis Light Cream from COSRX