K-Beauty Glossary
What is Skin Cycling?
Rotating actives across nights
Skin cycling is a dermatologist-coined routine structure: alternate nights between actives and rest. A classic 4-night cycle: Night 1 = exfoliant (AHA/BHA), Night 2 = retinoid, Night 3 = rest (hydration only), Night 4 = rest. Popularized by Dr. Whitney Bowe. Benefits: prevents barrier damage from daily active use, allows recovery, keeps actives working without accumulation of irritation.