Your skin is a resilient organ, constantly adapting and renewing itself to withstand various stressors through a dynamic process known as homeostasis. When your skin is in perfect harmony, it can efficiently respond to and recover from different types of stressors, leading to fewer issues. It stays clear, smooth, and wonderfully hydrated. It looks as good as it feels.
However, if your skin's balance is disrupted, often due to a compromised protective barrier, it becomes less equipped to handle life's challenges, whether they're internal (like stress or hormonal changes) or external (such as UV radiation or pollution). This imbalance can result in skin inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to visible problems like dryness, uneven texture, lack of radiance, uneven tone, and excess oiliness.
Your skin's health is a reflection of its unique needs, so it's crucial to understand how it behaves. There are many factors and influences, and these 5 main behaviors should be closely observed before finding the right products for your routine.
Dry skin
Oily skin
Uneven skin texture
Uneven skin tone
Lack of radiance
What Constitutes Healthy Skin?
Healthy skin is your skin at its best; it’s able to maintain its natural balance and should demonstrate these innate qualities:
Hydration: It’s adequately moisturized
Balanced oil levels: Neither excessively oily nor excessively dry
Smooth texture: Should feel supple and smooth to the touch
Radiant appearance: Exhibits a natural glow
Even tone: Free from redness or blotchiness
Stability: Rarely experiences severe fluctuations or issues
Triggers of Skin Fluctuation
Numerous factors can throw your skin off balance; these can be environmental, personal, or both. Key factors include:
Cold weather: Contributes to dry, tight skin
Lack of sleep: Impacts skin negatively
Harsh cleansers: Can strip and harm the skin barrier
Stress: Can lead to blemishes
City commuting: Pollution can clog pores
A regular and consistent routine will help keep your skin balanced and at its best. Retinol and retinoids have become increasingly popular over the last few years due to their fantastic skin benefits, transforming texture and appearance, but they can also be harsh on the skin barrier.
This is where a new beauty trend known as ‘skin cycling’ comes in. This cutting-edge routine is helping skin recover faster.
What is Skin Cycling and What Are The Benefits?
The ground-breaking skincare technique known as skin cycling incorporates ‘rest days’, which allows the skin to recover from product use, effectively reducing irritation and inflammation.
This routine typically involves a four-night cycle: exfoliation, retinoid application, followed by two recovery nights, which are repeated. Dermatologists and beauty experts may suggest variations tailored to individual skin types and responses.
If you’re curious and would like to try the process for yourself, we have created an ideal four-night skin cycle for you.
Night 1: Exfoliation
Start with the No7 Biodegradable Cleansing Wipes to gently remove makeup, dirt, and impurities.
Follow with either our No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced Cleansing Water or No7 Derm Solutions Hydrating Cream Cleanser to thoroughly cleanse your skin and prepare it for exfoliation.
Apply No7 Laboratories Resurfacing Peel 15% Glycolic Acid for 5 minutes, then wash off.
Follow with No7 Toning Water to balance your skin's pH and tighten pores.
Finish with your choice of moisturizer.
Night 2: Retinoid
Apply the No7 Pure Retinol 0.3% Night Concentrate to clean, dry skin. This powerful formula contains retinol to promote skin renewal and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Gently massage the concentrate onto your face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
Allow it to absorb fully before applying your moisturizer of choice.
Night 3: Recovery
Begin with the No7 Derm Solutions 100 Hour Hydration Cream, a lightweight and hydrating lotion that replenishes moisture in your skin.
Follow with the No7 Future Renew™ Damage Reversal Night Cream to provide intense hydration and support skin's natural repair process while you sleep.
Night 4: Recovery
Repeat the same routine as night three, or mix it up and try our No7 Future Renew™ Damage Reversal Night Serum.
Additional Recommendations
During the daytime, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen like the No7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Fragrance Free Day Cream SPF 30 to shield your skin from UV rays and environmental stressors.
Remember to introduce new products gradually and conduct a patch test if you have sensitive skin.
The benefits of skin cycling go beyond just skin recovery; it can also support the repair of your skin's protective barrier. A strong barrier is your skin's shield against infections, chemicals, and allergens. Overusing exfoliants and potent retinoids can harm this barrier, resulting in redness and irritation.
This is where recovery nights play a crucial role in nourishing your skin.
Skin cycling minimizes negative side effects associated with active ingredients, so by using these products less frequently, the chances of side effects decrease significantly. For instance, applying retinol between layers of moisturiser can help prevent irritation.
This routine also provides protection during seasonal challenges, especially in dry and cool weather. These conditions can exacerbate skin problems like eczema, but by proactively preventing dryness it helps strengthen your skin's resilience against environmental factors.
By incorporating these rest days, you can accelerate skin recovery, reduce irritation, and enhance your skin's protective barrier. In short, it’s a powerful, game-changing addition to your skincare routine to minimize adverse product side effects and fortify your skin against seasonal challenges.
The result? Improved skin health that radiates confidence and beauty.
