Dr Preema showcasing premium medical-grade skincare at her Mayfair clinic

Skin Cycling: The Dermatologist-Approved Routine That’s Changing the Way We Care for Skin

If you’ve spent any time scrolling beauty content recently, you’ve likely come across the term “skin cycling.” While it may have gone viral online, this method is firmly rooted in dermatological science and it’s gaining traction for good reason.

At Dr Preema London Clinic, we’re often asked how to achieve a luminous, resilient complexion at home, especially in between non-surgical aesthetic treatments. Skin cycling offers a smart, structured way to use active ingredients like exfoliants and retinoids while allowing time for your skin to rest and repair. The result? Stronger skin barrier function, improved tolerance, and that elusive radiant glow, without overloading your skin.

In this blog, we break down the principles of skin cycling, explain how it complements clinical treatments such as microneedling, peels, or laser rejuvenation and share our top product picks to help you cycle your way to healthier skin.

Woman receiving a non-invasive Exomind brain stimulation treatment, assisted by a healthcare professional.

What is Skin Cycling?

Skin cycling is a deliberate, four-night skincare routine designed to optimise the benefits of active ingredients while minimising irritation. Instead of using potent products like exfoliants and retinoids every night, skin cycling strategically spaces them out to allow for recovery periods.

The typical skin cycling schedule looks like this:

Night 1: Exfoliation — Gentle chemical exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and prep the skin for better absorption.
Night 2: Retinoid — Application of a retinol or prescription retinoid to boost cell turnover and target signs of ageing.
Nights 3 & 4: Recovery — Rest days focused on hydration, barrier repair and soothing the skin.

This thoughtful rotation supports healthier skin by strengthening its natural defences, reducing inflammation and preventing the common side effects of overusing actives, such as dryness, redness and sensitivity.

Patient receiving Hydrafacial treatment at Dr Preema London Clinic in Mayfair

How Skin Cycling Complements In-Clinic Treatments

At Dr Preema London Clinic, many of our patients undergo advanced aesthetic treatments like microneedling, chemical peels and non-surgical skin rejuvenation. Skin cycling is the perfect at-home strategy to enhance these procedures’ results.

Before Treatment:

A well-structured skin cycling routine can help prime the skin, improving texture and resilience, making it more receptive to professional treatments.

After Treatment:

Post-procedure, recovery nights are critical. Gentle, reparative skincare on these nights helps soothe the skin, accelerate healing and prolong the benefits of your clinical results.

Importantly, we advise pausing exfoliants and retinoids for a few days before and after procedures, depending on the treatment plan we customise for you.

Display of iS Clinical skincare at Dr Preema London Clinic in Mayfair

Best Products for Skin Cycling

Selecting medical-grade skincare products ensures you’re getting the highest quality ingredients with proven efficacy. At Dr Preema London Clinic, we particularly recommend products from iS Clinical or Skinbetter Science to support a successful skin cycling regimen:

Exfoliation Night: Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser – a refreshing, enzyme-rich formula that gently dissolves dead skin cells to reveal a softer, more radiant complexion, followed by iS Clinical Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque – a gentle yet powerful botanical formula that refines and smooths.
Retinoid Night: Skinbetter Science Alpharet Overnight Recovery Cream – Combines a retinoid with lactic acid to enhance skin texture and tone while minimizing irritation, or iS Clinical Active Serum – a potent botanical formula that targets fine lines, uneven texture, and blemishes, delivering visible results with minimal irritation.
Recovery Nights: iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum and iS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion – to intensely hydrate, calm, and fortify the skin barrier, or Skinbetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Emulsion – a deeply nourishing formula that restores hydration, strengthens the skin barrier, and supports a supple, resilient complexion.

Every skin is beautifully individual. During your consultation with one of our experienced Medical Aestheticians, we will perform a detailed Aura skin analysis to understand your unique needs at a deeper level. From there, we will create a personalised regimen that complements your lifestyle, enhances your skin health and supports your treatment goals.

Patient undergoing EXOMIND brain stimulation therapy at Dr Preema London Clinic in Mayfair.

Final Thoughts

Skin cycling is not just a trend; it’s a sustainable, clinically informed way to care for your skin. By adopting a thoughtful, restorative approach to active ingredients, you can achieve healthier, more luminous skin that looks as good as it feels.

At Dr Preema London Clinic, we believe in empowering you with the best of both worlds: professional treatments to drive dramatic results and intelligent home routines to maintain them.

Ready to take your skincare to the next level? Book a consultation with us today and discover your personalised plan to achieve radiant, resilient skin, season after season.