Skincare

Your wardrobe goes through cycles, but should you adapt skin cycling too?

Skin cycling is a skin-care routine that allows for “rest days” during the week.

Does your skin need to rest? If so, rest from what?

Let’s look more closely at this idea of skin cycling to see if it’s something you may want to do for your skin.

What is Skin Cycling?

Board-certified dermatologist Whitney Bowe created skin cycling routines for her patients for over a year before sharing them on social media.

The idea is that rather than performing the same skin-care routine over and over day in and day out, you instead cycle through the actives in your routine in a three- to four-day cycle.

This is mainly about using powerhouse ingredients like chemical exfoliants and retinol, but not using them all the time.

Bowe started doing this mainly to prevent the irritation that can come about when using chemical exfoliants (like glycolic acid) or retinol products. Using these products every day can cause skin irritation in many people. Skin cycling gives the skin a chance to rest and recover from these types of treatments, without having to stop using them completely.

In other words, you can use retinol for three or four days, then stop using them for the other three or four days of the week.

It’s sort of like intermittent fasting, which often has one eating all one wants on certain days, and significantly limiting calories on other days.

As to why Bowe started creating skin cycling routines for her patients, it’s likely because many of us are over-treating our skin these days.

Skin Cycling Grew Out of the Trend to Overtreat

Bowe told Byrdie.com that after treating thousands of patients for over a decade, she found the biggest mistake people made when it comes to skincare was: “…neglecting to build in nights for their skin barrier to recover.”

We have often talked about the skin barrier here at CV Skinlabs. It is the very outermost layer of skin that provides a barrier between you and the outside world. If you have a strong skin barrier, it protects you from environmental toxins, bacteria, and other microbes, while keeping moisture inside the skin so that it looks and feels its best.

Treatments like exfoliants, retinols, and others that help improve the appearance of the skin can also be hard on the skin barrier. When used carefully, they help slough off dead skin cells and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. But when used too much, they can damage the skin barrier and make the skin look and feel worse.

Says Bowe, “People love their powerhouse products—like exfoliants and retinoids—and often believe more must be better. However, their skin often tells a different story when they come into the office with irritation and inflammation.”

After seeing many of her patients struggling with this, Dr. Bowe developed skin cycling. In her words, “The truth is you only need a few products used in a very deliberate way to drive amazing results.”

Bowe tried skin cycling on her patients for a year, then introduced the process on TikTok and Instagram. It quickly became a new beauty trend, which is why we’re talking about it today!

Should You Try Skin Cycling?

You may be wondering if you’re a good candidate for skin cycling. Should you try it?

The answer may be “yes” if:

• You’re someone who has a lot of skin care products in your cupboard and you’re a little worried about maybe using too much.
• You’re overwhelmed by all the products that are out there and you’re not sure where to start.
• You’re struggling with skin irritation and inflammation.
• You’re finding top-tier skin care products like retinoids are expensive and you want to extend their use.
• You want to improve the condition of your skin but you’re hesitant about using hydroxy acids and retinols.
• You’ve tried exfoliants and retinols before and had to stop because of irritation and breakouts.

The answer may be “no” if:

• You’ve already worked hard to get your skin adjusted to using a powerful retinoid every night, and you’ve built up a tolerance—you’re not experiencing irritation.
• You’re using an exfoliating product every day without irritation.
• You have a skin condition like severe acne, eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis (it may still work for you, but check with your dermatologist first).

Tips for a Successful Skin Cycling Routine

Keep in mind that the goal when skin cycling is to improve the condition of your skin through powerful actives. Skin cycling drives the best results while minimizing irritation.

The standard skin-cycling routine as created by Dr. Bowe is a four-night schedule.

Night 1: Exfoliation Night

Dr. Bowe recommends using your most powerful actives at the beginning of the week, so exfoliation night may begin on Monday. Of course, it’s up to you to set up the cycle in a way that works best for your lifestyle. The important thing is to stick with the cycle days as closely as you can.

On the first night of the four-night cycle, thoroughly cleanse your skin, pat dry, then use your chosen exfoliant. This helps slough off dead skin cells and sets up your skin to better receive your active products. Serums and creams can better penetrate skin that lacks that hard layer of dead skin cells on top.

Dr. Bowe and many others recommend chemical exfoliants over physical ones. That means you’re using alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids like glycolic, malic, salicylic, and lactic acids to help slough off dead skin cells and reveal newer, younger-looking skin underneath.

Physical exfoliants, on the other hand, often contain rough particles in them that rub against the skin to slough off dead skin cells. These may include crushed nuts, crystals, sugar, salt, or beads. Physical exfoliation also includes the use of tools like brushes to exfoliate the skin.

The problem with physical exfoliation is that it can cause irritation, inflammation, and breakouts, particularly if you have sensitive skin. Chemical exfoliants are more gentle and are less likely to result in irritation.

Night 2: Retinoid Night

The second night of the cycle is devoted to retinoids. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It speeds up cell turnover and helps you enjoy younger-looking skin. It’s one of the most powerful skin-care ingredients available for delaying the appearance of aging, but it can also be very irritating, particularly for sensitive skin.

This is why skin cycling can be so beneficial. It allows you to gain the benefits of retinol without having to suffer irritation. Many people stop using retinoids because they experience negative results, but skin cycling can often prevent the skin from reacting that way.

So on night two, apply your chosen retinoid product, then follow with your regular moisturizer. (We recommend our Calming Moisture to help prevent irritation and keep your skin feeling its best.) When choosing your retinoid product, consider whether you’ve used retinoids before. If you haven’t, use encapsulated retinol at a low concentration.

Note: If you have eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis, check with your dermatologist before using a retinol product.

Night 3 and 4: Recovery Nights

These nights are deemed “recovery nights” because they are intended to give the skin a chance to recover from the exfoliating and retinoid treatments. That doesn’t mean you leave skin bare on these nights. Instead, you focus on nourishing your skin and repairing the skin barrier so that it’s ready for the next cycle.

This is key to avoiding skin irritation and redness. On these nights, you can use your best recovery serum or moisturizer, apply a moisturizing mask, or even try skin slugging (which we outlined in this post).

We recommend using our Calming Moisture on both recovery nights. This antioxidant-rich moisturizer calms redness and deeply hydrates while repairing skin to boost radiance and create a healthy glow. It has soothing ingredients like glycerin, ceramides, and natural oils and butters.

Repeat

After your second recovery night, it’s time to repeat the cycle. If your skin reacts, you can add one or more recovery nights to your routine. If your skin appears to be responding well, on the other hand, you can continue the cycle as-is, or perhaps reduce your recovery nights to only one.

What Are the Benefits of Skin Cycling?

The main benefit of skin cycling is that it allows you to use exfoliants and retinoids without experiencing irritation. You should notice the following improvements:

• Diminished appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Brighter, younger-looking skin
• Reduced acne break-outs
• Smoother, softer skin
• A healed outer barrier that makes skin look stronger
• Improved radiance

Have you tried skin cycling?

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

When it comes to makeup and skincare, few do it as well as the French. I mean, just look at how life-changing every CeraVe product is (BTW, did you know they have a new chemical exfoliator that’s already getting rave reviews?). So, when I stumbled upon a moisturizer that shoppers call “magic,” I wasn’t surprised at all.

According to shoppers, Avène’s Hydrance Aqua-Gel Cream is a true do-it-all product. It can act as a daily moisturizer, overnight mask and under-eye gel. The lightweight cream is jam-packed with anti-aging ingredients that even out the look and smooth the feel of skin. It’s so effective that one shopper on the brand’s site said it’s “the best [moisturizer] I have ever used. 56 and I look 36.”

The reason this anti-aging cream is so versatile is because of its heavy-lifting ingredients. It’s packed with hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate skin, and it also is made with cohederm, a trio of skin-savers known to restore your skin’s barrier while preventing water loss. Also worth mentioning: the vegan formula is designed without parabens, soy and other prominent allergens.

Even better, the top seller is majorly discounted during the brand’s Holiday sale. To unlock 20 percent off sitewide + free shipping on orders $65 and up, simply use the code CHEERS20 from now through this weekend.

RELATED: The Dark Spot Treatment That Faded My Spots & Scars Overnight Is Down to $20 in This Holiday Sale

Photo: Avène.

This is the kind of technology that we expect from a brand that’s nearly three centuries old. Shopper after shopper has heralded this moisturizer for its repairing and rejuvenating capabilities.

“They’re not lying,” one reviewer wrote. “This stuff is magic (and it smells amazing). I even saw results after one day of using this. My skin is glowy and hydrated without being greasy or tacky after use. AND my extremely sensitive skin has had zero problems with this. It’s a lifesaver for everyone, especially those with very sensitive skin.”

So, basically, we’re adding this to our list of anti-aging hero products and adding it to our carts ASAP.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

I’m continually in awe of each new release Peace Out Skincare drops—from line-smoothing retinol sticks to acne-targeted cleansing balms, the brand knows how to pinpoint concerns and rectify them swiftly. That’s why when I caught wind early of another exciting launch on the horizon, I jumped at the opportunity to put it to the test before the public. And boy oh boy, it did not disappoint. 

Introducing: The Instant Pore Perfector Primer. The skincare-makeup hybrid formula blurs large pores and texture immediately upon application—trust me, you will gasp—while improving the overall look and feel of your skin overtime. As Peace Out founder and CEO, Enrico Frezza, told StyleCaster, “Instant Pore Perfector is so much more than a primer, it’s your nex-gen pore perfector. Unlike most primers on the market, Instant Pore Perfector doesn’t contain silicones and instead uses a powerful blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, mushroom extract and malic acid to minimize pores with good for your skin ingredients.”

Before we get into it, you should also know the brand has dropped its Holiday Sale, meaning you can score this new addition, as well as bestsellers from the brand, for 30 percent off (plus free shipping!) right now.

Image: Peace Out

Instant Pore Perfector Primer

And the primer’s claims check out; through a brand-run consumer study, over 89 of participants said their skin “appeared more smooth and even” while near equal percentages of users said their skin “appeared more mattified” and “pores appeared smaller or minimized after application.”  

I personally can attest to all of the above. The first time I applied the primer, I was amazed at how effortlessly it blurred the pores around my nose and paved the way for foundation and concealer to glide over top better than before. My skin almost appeared airbrushed; there was definitely a notable difference between all my makeup applications prior to this one. After several subway rides and a full-workday, I was surprised to see how well my makeup held up, too—while it normally would have appeared patchy and oily, it instead looked nearly as fresh as the morning.

Naturally, Frezza has seen results from personal use as well. “My skin instantly has a photo-filtered look,” he shared. “It helps even out my skin texture and tone, blurs my pores, making them almost invisible. I’ve been using Instant Pore Perfector for X months and have seen a drastic improvement in the appearance of my pore size. I also love that it provides instant benefits for immediate skin-gratification and has long-term pore refining properties that I look for in all my skincare products.”

I’m eager to see the long-term benefits from using the Instant Pore Perfector. In the meantime, I’ll continue to reap its skin-blurring magic daily with each makeup application. Scoop a tube of your own for 30 percent off now, and don’t forget to shop the rest of the brand’s offerings.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

If you have acneic skin, I’m sure you know how annoying it is when yet another brand touts yet another miracle product that’ll help treat your bumps and zits overnight. Trust me, I’m on the same boat. I started getting acne when I was quite literally 11 years old (Thank you, genetics!! Thank you, puberty!!) and have had to deal with it ever since. Even after testing Spironolactone and going on Accutane for half a year, I’ve still struggled with flares of cystic pimples, whiteheads and clogged pores. So I want you to trust me when I say that I’ve found a serum that actually genuinely works with my skin.

It’s from Peace Out Skincare, that TikTok-loved brand responsible for those impressively gross pore strips and the dark spot treatment serum that works overnight—I tried that, too—and it helped combat and treat an extremely bad cystic flare in just over a week.

I started using this serum once a night for a couple of days to test how it would work with my skin. Those of you with sensitive skin like me know that acne treatments can sometimes worsen your skin issues by overly drying out your skin and stripping it of all those essential oils. This one didn’t do that—I kept my same routine of a gentle exfoliating cleanser and CeraVe moisturizer.

After doing that trial run, I started adding the serum to my morning routine (same as night, but with vitamin C serum and SPF as well), and without even thinking about it, a few days went by and a few terrible cysts were gone. Not to mention, the normal zits and bumps went away, too.

I know a bunch of brands tout success like this, but I genuinely mean that this acne serum worked wonders on my skin. It’s been about a month since starting to use this twice a day and my skin looks so much better than before. My boyfriend has noticed, my friends have noticed and my Zoom screen has noticed.

What’s more, you can get this beloved acne serum for 30 percent off + free shipping (along with the rest of Peace Out’s products) during the brand’s holiday sale. All you have to do is add it to your virtual cart and the price drop will show up immediately—so there’s no better time to stock up on all your favorites.

This treatment has not only helped get rid of these bumps but also has helped get rid of scarring. See, I’m a skin-picker, and when there’s something juicy on my face, I can’t function until I get it out. This obviously is not a good thing to do since it leads to annoying scars, but I can’t help myself. Well, since this serum stops those big boy zits from surfacing, I no longer have something to pick at. I’m touching my face so much less often and my skin is living in tranquility.

The serum itself is made with salicylic acid, niacinamide, zinc and vitamin C. Salicylic acid is great for sucking up gunk from our pores and preventing future oil and skin build-up, while zinc and niacinamide help brighten dark spots and prevent the buildup of sebum. Vitamin C, as we know, is a heavy hitter for color correcting and zapping zits. This foursome works together to form a truly effective, yet surprisingly gentle acne serum that acts fast.

In fact, a consumer study found that 97 percent of users said their skin looked clearer after using the serum for just one single week. I can obviously attest to this, but other reviewers have, too. Just check out the before and after photos.

“My skin has completely changed since I started using this! My pores are smaller, skin is clearer, and I finally have radiant and even skin tone,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “So amazing!”

Another called it the ‘Holy Grail of serums‘ adding that: “I LOVE this serum. First, the smell is amazing. The product is very smooth and leaves your skin super soft. I feel my skin as a more even texture. I wear this under my makeup. I work at a hospital so breakouts have been bad since Covid started. I have seen a reduction for sure. I also used it after I wash my face at night. I am slowly seeing results and will be buying the bigger bottle for sure.“

If you’ve ever struggled with acne, or simply want to prevent any future bumps from arising, this is the one product you can depend on. Trust me, I’ve practically tried them all.

As a professional esthetician, I know firsthand the power of a good skincare routine. Skin quality is a huge component of aging— it includes elements like brightness, evenness of tone, and hydration. In this golden age of skin care, we have the ability to preserve these elements better than ever before. 

While skin care can take us a long way, there are certain components of aging it will just never be able to address. This is where cosmetic procedures come into play. If you’re just getting started, there are, of course, many non-invasive or minimally-invasive procedures, including injectables. These smaller procedures have gained a lot of traction in the past decade, but one old faithful is making a comeback: the facelift. Advanced techniques and a more nuanced approach have rekindled interest, and facelifts are on the rise. Notably, they’re being sought out by younger demographics than ever before.

There’s a lot that goes into making a decision as big as whether or not to get a facelift, and it’s ultimately a very personal choice. If you’ve been considering it (or are just curious), this post will help you get started. To learn more about the advanced techniques used in modern facelifting, I tapped into Dr. Sam Lam—an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon with his own practice located in Plano, Texas.

What Does a Facelift Entail, and How Have Facelifts Changed? 

Dr. Lam is the first to note that the term “facelift” can be somewhat confusing, especially since it may imply different things to different people. “The easiest way to divide the face is into thirds,” he says. “Upper, middle and lower, where the lower third encompasses both the jawline (jowls) and the neck. Lifting the upper third is really what’s now known as a brow lift. Today, advanced facelifting lifts the mid-face, lower face, and neck area as a single, composite unit. So as a surgeon, when I use the term facelift, I’m talking about these areas.” 

To understand how facelift works, it helps to know how they’ve changed over the years. As Dr. Lam mentioned, the face can be divided into thirds, and these areas can be lifted individually if a patient desires. For example, a mid-face lift involves lifting only the cheek area, whereas a “mini” facelift refers to lifting exclusively the lower third of the face. Another very key advancement has been the depth of the treatment. Originally, the face was treated as one whole unit, and the skin was cut then stretched taught. Because none of the underlying structures of the face were addressed during this procedure, surgeons often stretched the skin in an exaggerated way to compensate and make the facelift last longer (needless to say, this didn’t yield the most natural-looking result).

Different Types of Facelifts

Now, surgeons are going deeper. A standard facelift is known as SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), and it involves tightening the connective tissue surrounding the muscles. Dr. Lam favors an even deeper type of facelift, known as a deep-plane facelift. This involves tightening the underside of the muscles themselves.

“Both a SMAS facelift and a deep-plane facelift involve lifting the same plane of tissue known as the SMAS, which is a confluence of muscle, fascia, and collagen,” says Dr. Lam. “It has great tensile strength for lifting. The difference is that with the deep-plane lift, the surgeon releases certain ligaments that reside below the SMAS layer so that the lift glides effortlessly and holds upward in position.” He noted that this allows results to last longer. 

Which Aspects of Aging Can a Facelift Address?

According to Dr. Lam, aging can be divided into three main categories: skin quality, volume loss, and sagging. A facelift is designed to address sagging, and it’s the only way to reverse skin laxity in a meaningful way. While we can influence skin quality by being good about our skincare routines, volume loss and sagging can’t really be addressed topically. Instead, intervention in the form of cosmetic procedures is usually required. This is because both volume loss and sagging are caused by changes to the underlying muscle, fat, and bone in our faces that occur as we age. 

Addressing Volume Loss

When it comes to volume loss, Dr. Lam says it’s the upper face that requires the most attention. Hollowing tends to be most prominent in the temples and outer face, as well as around the eyes. “I find that the upper face really needs more volume than lifting,” says Dr. Lam, adding that he’s not always a fan of how browlifts look. “An easy way to think about it is that the upper half of the face requires more volume, and the lower face requires using some kind of lifting.” 

Volume loss can, of course, be addressed using fillers (however Dr. Lam says the idea that fillers help prevent sagging is a misconception). Another method of volume replacement that’s becoming increasingly popular is fat transfer. Fat is taken from another area of the patient’s body and judiciously placed in the face to plump out sunken areas and return volume. Fat transfers are often performed in conjunction with a facelift.

Addressing Sagging

Once sagging starts to occur, you’re getting into facelift territory. “Signs of sagging in the jawline would be usually the earliest sign of aging that would benefit from a facelift,” says Dr. Lam. “Usually, neck descent and neck banding (vertical lines that protrude) are moderately later signs, but can also be the first sign.” 

Now, there are ways to delay the onset of sagging. Using active skincare ingredients that encourage elasticity is one way. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits such as eating healthy, not smoking, and avoiding excessive sun exposure is another. Certain treatments like microcurrent (which can also be done at home) can help by toning and slightly lifting underlying muscles. Sagging is a natural (and normal!) part of aging though, and once it occurs, a facelift is the only proven way to truly reverse it. Of course, whether or not you want to pursue one is a personal choice, but I still think this is important to know because it helps people avoid fraudulent marketing claims. If a company is making promises about a skin-tightening product or device that seem too good to be true, it’s a red flag. 

What’s the Best Age to Get a Facelift?

I hear this question a lot, and there truly is no one-size-fits-all answer. You’ve heard me say time and again that everyone’s skin is unique, and this means everyone will age differently. Again, lifestyle factors come into play, but genetics also play a role. (Speaking of which, these three facial features can keep you looking younger.)

Dr. Lam says his facelift patients are typically in their 50s or early 60s, but he confirmed that there’s a growing trend of those in their 40s seeking out facelifts. “It is now much more common for me to perform ‘early’ facelifts in 40-somethings who are wanting a rejuvenation with some noticeable changes that filler and Botox cannot deliver,” he says. An earlier facelift can be appealing because it requires less upkeep and maintenance than injectables while also delivering a more dramatic result. Injectables can still be used as a supportive treatment, but they can be used more sparingly in conjunction with a facelift. 

There’s also the school of thought that getting a facelift in your 40s allows for a more natural and discreet result, possibly with less downtime. This is because there’s less lax skin to be cut away, and the face and neck muscles are still fairly robust. In theory, this allows for a more predictable result. That said, while the effects of a facelift are essentially permanent, a facelift won’t stop the aging process. Many patients will seek out additional tightening procedures 10-15 years down the line as signs of sagging start to appear again (though there won’t be as much skin to cut away as there would have been without the initial procedure). Either way, this is something to take into consideration and discuss with your surgeon when deciding how early to start. Always be sure to ask them about the long-term game plan and how a procedure fits into that plan. 

What is the Healing Process Like?

Advanced techniques and gentle surgeons mean healing is less taxing than it used to be. But make no mistake, a facelift is still major surgery and a big undertaking. It’s not something that should be taken lightly. 

“Most distorting swelling is present for the first seven to ten days,” says Dr. Lam, adding that swelling can be mitigated through gentle surgical techniques. “I am a very gentle surgeon, and that makes all the difference. This makes my recoveries easier, with very little discomfort. In the right candidate, I also use a medicine called tranexamic acid. This can virtually eliminate bruising in my patients, and it helps with the recovery process a lot.”

While the worst of the swelling may start to go down after the first two weeks, I always advise my clients not to get a facelift against any sort of timeline. If you want to be ready for a specific event, I would ideally suggest getting the procedure a year out. Swelling can be unpredictable, as I witnessed when I owned my spa up in Dallas—a prominent plastic surgeon in town used to send me his post-op patients for lymphatic drainage massage when they were having trouble with swelling. While better, gentler techniques mean you’ll be ready to return to the public eye much sooner than before, any surgery can have unpredictable side effects. Give yourself plenty of time for the final result to settle! 

What About Scars?

Much like the rest of the facelift process, scars have become fairly finetuned. Scars should be camouflaged inside the hairline and along the front of the ears, with Dr. Lam adding that he doesn’t make straight incisions along the ear because this makes them harder for the eye to follow. “Along hairlines, I perform a procedure known as a trichophytic incision,” he says. “I intentionally transect or cut a row of hairs so that the hairs grow through the scar making the scar very hard to see. I have close-up videos of my incision on my website, and I would be surprised if you can even find them.”

All in all, with a good surgeon who takes the correct approach, scars should start to fade within six months. The final color of your scar can vary based on skin tone, so this is definitely something to discuss with your surgeon during consultation. 

Read more about how to prevent and minimize facial scarring. 

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Considering a Facelift

It goes without saying that undertaking something as serious as a facelift is a choice you should make for yourself, and no one else. It’s a big decision! To make sure a facelift is really the solution they’re looking for, I encourage people to ask themselves a few questions.

1. Why am I doing it?

Deciding to get a facelift isn’t just about logistics, it’s also about emotions. Many plastic surgeons will take into account a patient’s state of mind before performing such an invasive procedure. I always advise people to step back and make sure they aren’t trying to fix other areas of their life by addressing their appearance. Some people are also shocked by how they look directly after surgery because of all the distortion, so it’s important to mentally prepare and talk with your surgeon about what to expect. That said, if it really is about boosting confidence by reclaiming certain aspects of your appearance, a facelift can definitely be the right decision.

2. Are there other aspects of my appearance I’d rather switch up instead?

Sometimes I find that people start considering a facelift when they’re in a rut, simply because they don’t know where else to start. If this is the case, I encourage you to try switching up other aspects of your appearance first in order to boost your mood and confidence. Trust me, it can make more of a difference than you think!

3. Does this surgeon fit my desired aesthetic?

Facelifts used to be much more one-size-fits-all. Now, there’s a lot more tailoring and variation involved, so it’s more important than ever that you find a surgeon whose vision aligns with yours. Be diligent about doing your research—get referrals, review before and afters, and ask lots of questions during your consultation. 

Up next, read my beginner’s guide to healthy skin aging.

Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

Retinol is one of the most effective skincare treatments for anti-aging, but many people aren’t as familiar with its fellow umbrella (and more potent) ingredient, retinaldehyde or retinal. Of course to get the most pure form of retinol (also known as tretinoin), you need a prescription, but retinal is the slightly more potent version of retinol that you can still grab over the counter. That’s why shoppers are loving Avene’s RetrinAL 1.0 Intensive cream with retinal so much—especially those with sensitive skin.

People with sensitive skin or even combination skin often complain of the irritation retinol causes after a few nights of using it. The typical reaction is redness and flaking as your skin gets used to it, but for people with sensitive skin, this reaction might not ever go away, no matter how long you use the product. This Avene cream seems to solve all of those issues.

The retinol cream is made with Avene’s signature thermal spring water that helps to soothe irritated skin, and vitamin E for natural antioxidant protection throughout the day. And of course, instead of retinol it has retrinaldehyde, which is clinically proven to be more effective for cell turnover and anti-aging than retinol, according to the brand’s website.

Courtesy of Avene.

Avene RetrinAL Cream

Also just a fair warning: Since retinol makes the skin more susceptible to sunburn, you need to make sure you use an SPF first thing in the morning before you head outside. The quality of the ingredients runs the price of the RetrinAL cream around $75, but right now during Avene’s Cyber Monday sale, you can get 30 percent off the moisturizer, plus free shipping, when you use code MONDAY30 at checkout. Orders $80+ will get a free 2-piece gift.

Shoppers who have tried it say “my face does feel softer and I was able to use to 0.1 strength even though I have sensitive skin.” Another wrote, “I prefer this to prescription Retin-A. My skin doesn’t tolerate Retin-A at any strength but this is less harsh and tolerable.”

RELATED: Tory Burch Just Discounted Thousands of Designer Pieces 

When starting a retinol, derms typically recommend starting with every other night until your skin can build up a tolerance to handling it nightly. But shoppers who have tried this say they have no problem applying it nightly.

Other fans of the RetrinAL cream say that it even had unexpected benefits like evening out redness for rosacea-irritated skin. ” It instantly softens and smooths my skin,” they wrote. “It evens out my rosacea redness and dry areas.”

Even more people claim it helps with anything from fine lines to dark spots: “A week after I swapped retinoid for retinal, the irritation I had around my forehead gradually faded. It has been 2 weeks now and the dark spots that AHA left after about a week’s worth of use are fading incrementally,” wrote one, while another commented “After use for 2 weeks, definitely see a decrease in lines and wrinkles.”

If you’ve been dodging retinol because your skin peels too much or has other sensitivities, this cream is a great swap for the harsh retinol you’ve been using.

It’s one of the world’s oldest foods, has inspired countless desserts and sweetened our holidays. It’s clear — we love chocolate. But, despite this universal obsession, chocolate also gets a bad rap for its association with acne. But does chocolate really cause acne? We went on a quest to unwrap the truth about this sweet and its effect on our skin.

Does Eating Chocolate Cause Acne?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, keep in mind that most research (even recent studies) focuses almost exclusively on male subjects. Many studies also concentrate on younger age groups, as opposed to middle or older age brackets, and primarily consider those with acne-prone skin.

We’ll start with the good news. Thankfully, much of the research around chocolate and acne agrees that chocolate on its own does not cause acne. Rather, it may be a high-glycemic diet that is the trigger (more on this topic below). If your dermatologist determines that your diet affects your acne, you may wish to discuss which foods to avoid, and chocolate could be on that list. However, the causes of acne need to be decided on a case-by-case basis. There are many reasons why you may suffer from acne (for example, the cause could be hormonal rather than diet related), so consult your dermatologist before making any changes to your diet or skin care.

The Relationship Between Chocolate And Acne

Now for the bad news. Although chocolate may not cause acne, at least one study shows a correlation between chocolate and the “exacerbation of acne.” This study confirms a “dose-dependent” relationship between chocolate and acne. In other words, researchers found that the more chocolate consumed, the more acne worsened. Although we need more research on the topic, the data suggest a potential link between chocolate and acne.

What Type of Diet Causes Acne? 

So if chocolate aggravates acne but doesn’t necessarily cause it, what triggers initial breakouts? As mentioned, when it comes to diet, breakouts are more likely due to the consumption of sugar found in chocolate rather than the cocoa itself. When chocolate is combined with other high-glycemic foods filled with sugar and simple carbohydrates, this overall diet may potentially provoke acne breakouts. Similarly, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests that, rather than pointing to chocolate as the culprit, trying a low-glycemic diet might help. Healthline also suggests that, to avoid breakouts, you should ” … keep an eye on added sugars and simple carbohydrates throughout the rest of the day.”

What Is A High Glycemic Diet?

For most people, overall nutrition plays a huge role in breakouts and chocolate consumption is just a small part of a “big puzzle.” High glycemic diets that are full of sugar, carbohydrates and fat — including sugary drinks, sweet treats and processed bread, cereals and pasta — can trigger increased sebum production and raise your blood sugar quickly. These reactions lead to oily skin and inflammatory responses in the body. Low-glycemic foods, on the other hand, include vegetables, steel-cut oats, some fresh fruits and beans. Findings suggest that following a low-glycemic diet may reduce the amount of acne you have.

If your dermatologist believes your acne is diet-related, they may suggest a low glycemic diet where you monitor your sugar intake and simple carbohydrate consumption. Keeping a food diary to track how food choices affect your skin can also make it easy to discover insights into your skin’s unique triggers. Everyone’s skin is different though, and before making any major dietary changes, always consult a dermatologist for their insights. 

How To Choose Chocolate that’s Best For Your Skin

Despite the link between acne and chocolate, what if you can’t resist the occasional nibble? We recommend reaching for chocolate with less refined sugar and a very short ingredient list. The best choice is an antioxidant-rich dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa, instead of milk or white chocolate which contains more sugar and additives. 

Healthline includes the following tips when choosing quality dark chocolate:

• High-quality dark chocolate lists chocolate liquor or cocoa as the first ingredient.
• Refrain from dark chocolate with sugar first on the ingredient list
• Avoid dark chocolate with milk, artificial flavorings or transfats (these can appear as hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oil) on the ingredient list
• Selecting a chocolate product marked as fair trade and organic ensures that the farmers who worked to secure the cocoa beans are being paid correctly. Plus, your beans are less likely to have been exposed to pesticides or nasty chemicals.

Have you noticed any difference in your skin after eating chocolate? Let us know in the comments below. You can also view our best sellers to see which products are right for your skin type. 

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

I’ve always struggled with dry skin on my legs, but during the pandemic, I knew that needed to change. I can’t remember exactly how many oat and aloe body lotions I’ve tried and never committed to. My legs have always lacked moisture and craved a remedy I could never find. That is, up until I discovered CeraVe’s Moisturizing Cream.

The skin savior is on sale for $18 right now, so don’t wait up to shop it. I say this because the Moisturizing Cream makes me want to lather up after every shower, and that’s something its shelf buddies could never do for me in the past. And when previous lotions failed me, I either stuck with them out of defeat or temporarily stopped moisturizing my legs (10 out of 10 would not recommend doing this).

Regardless of the season or whether your skin appears visibly dry, your legs—and the rest of your body—need a reliable, effective, gentle moisturizer on an everyday basis. That’s a huge lesson I learned after ignoring my dry skin and then finding my Holy Grail solution. And, apparently, a whole lot of other people see it as the same. Over 92,000 shoppers on Amazon have given the moisturizer a perfect rating, and it has an average 4.8-star rating (!!). The last time I saw something with those marks was, well, never.

“Throw all your lotions away and buy this. I wish I had a bathtub full of it. I’ve never seen a cream
work so fast or as good,” wrote one reviewer who had been struggling with dry skin for years. “After just using it for a week my legs are so soft and smooth, it’s amazing. I’ll never be without it.” TBH, same.

RELATED: This Hydrating Body Moisturizer Tackles ‘Cracked Feet & Bumpy Skin’—& We Have an Exclusive Discount Code

Photo: CeraVe.

You’re probably wondering how the heck it does the trick so well. The key ingredients in every CeraVe product are ceramides, which function as the glue that holds your skin cells together. They work to give you a healthy skin barrier that locks in moisture. And in this specific formula, three essential ceramides mix with hyaluronic acid, the almighty ingredient that retains water. The formula is topped off with MVE Delivery Technology, which is a fancy way of saying that the product releases its superstar ingredients for around-the-clock hydration.

Did I mention that it’s multifunctional, too? You can spread the cream pretty much anywhere on your body, from your arms and legs to your face and hands. Real talk, though—I’ve never been more excited to cake my body in moisturizer after I hop out of the shower—and that says a lot. 

After rubbing this goop all over my arms and legs, they immediately feel silky smooth. Even if I skip a day or haven’t shaved in ages, my skin’s still soft and nourished. And if you’re worried about the texture, don’t. It’s thick, but it doesn’t leave your skin feeling sticky or greasy. Plus, the product is non-comedogenic and certified by the National Eczema Association, so those with super sensitive skin can also join in on the fun.

“It’s seriously a holy grail product,” wrote one Amazon shopper who gave it a perfect rating. “I barely use any and it covers my entire face. About a teaspoon size drop covers my body!”

After falling head over heels for this cream, I may or may not have emptied my pockets on more CeraVe products. The Eye Repair Cream and the SA Body Wash for Rough & Bumpy Skin both work wonders on my eyes and bacne, respectively. What can I say—I’m a certified CeraVe lover, and you know exactly where to find me, stocking up on yet another gigantic tub of the Moisturizing Cream.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, STYLECASTER may receive an affiliate commission.

I’ve got good news: Plenty of beauty and fashion brands are dropping major discounts ahead of Black Friday to stock our fall (and soon-to-be winter) wardrobes and refresh our post-summer skincare stashes. And for some, such as Dermelect’s Friends & Family sale, you can score its best-selling products for way less. Here’s how: Use the discount code, CHEER25, at checkout to save 25 percent on all of the brand’s sellers.

The Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum is by far one of the most popular items, and for good reason: It takes dull, aging skin to a healthier, glowing state in as fast as a week, per reviewers. 

Dermelect

Self-Esteem Beauty Sleep Serum

“This product is worth the money, believe me,” raved one. “I have very sensitive skin, but once you incorporate this into your routine, it works wonders within a week. The effect of this serum really does smooth my face out and help with preventing fine lines and sebum overproduction. It’s worth at least one try!”

The face and neck serum contains three kinds of concentrated amino acids that quickly tackle fine lines and wrinkles, large pores, acne and uneven skin tone. Whether your skin is damaged from photo-aging, scarred from breakouts, or is going through a loss of elasticity, glycolic acid, salicylic acid and vitamin C minimize all of the above to leave behind a refreshed, younger-looking complexion. 

RELATED: This New Vitamin C Serum That Left “100% of Users Satisfied” Is 30% Off—But Not for Long

Simply apply the serum onto the skin before bed, and awake the next morning to see visible results, such as “drastically smaller-looking pores, smoother skin and a brighter, more even complexion,” per the brand.

“It smoothed out all of my wrinkles and now my skin is clear and ageless! The look of no acne really says it all,” said a second shopper.

Join us in snagging a bottle during this exclusive limited time sale, alongside other anti-aging treatments, including a targeted forehead line treatment and a retinol alternative moisturizer for sensitive skin.

Skin conditions aren’t always just visible on the surface; many of us feel frustrated and deflated on the inside when experiencing a flare up, too. So, let’s give a warm welcome to Our Skin Series, where members of our Tropic team who have truly been there (and got the proverbial T-shirt) talk to me about their relationship with their skin, and what has helped it stay happy and healthy over the years!

From eczema as a tiny tot to teenaged acne and scaliness in our senior years, our skin is constantly shifting and reshaping, much like our relationship with it. Where a single spot at school may warrant wild heights of humiliation, as we mature, we often gain a greater understanding of our skin as a signal of what’s going on underneath, affording us a more respectful relationship with our body’s best protection. 

However, it’s not always plain sailing, and some of us have no choice but to pay a little more attention to what’s going on up top. Skin conditions can work against the waves of our skin’s changing tides, creating a current of stress and frustration for those experiencing them. So, we thought we’d talk to a few members of HQ about their experiences with dermal conditions who are keen to help others in the same boat.

LYDIA HAYMAN, BRAND CONTENT WRITER 

Please can you tell me a little about your skin condition?

Just before the pandemic started, I had jaw surgery to fix an overbite that had made me feel insecure my entire life. Long story short, it went wrong. My teeth were left perfectly aligned, but after a week, I began to feel a hot, burning agony on my left jawline. This turned into an open wound and I was left in chronic pain, barely able to move my head or neck for a year.  

The surgeons were perplexed. They sent me off for X-rays, MRIs and biopsies that presented no cause. As they poked and prodded, I began to think there was something wrong with me. I got lost in a web of WebMD articles, changed my diet and started taking hundreds of vitamins. Insecure about the angry red wound on my face, I hid myself away for months, stopped answering FaceTime calls and panicked that I would never heal. Then came a cocktail of antibiotics, six localised procedures, eight stitches and two further operations under anaesthetic to try and fix me.  

After a year of pain and procedures, the surgeons finally discovered that the metal screws they placed during the original surgery had been loose the entire time. They removed all six under anaesthetic (the best day of my life!) and I’ve been healing ever since.    

Today, the only physical sign of trauma is a lumpy, red hypertrophic scar on my jawline. Over time it has become smaller and paler in colour. But the scar is still a sensitive area for me. A site of strange disconnection I am slowly reconnecting with and learning to love.

What did you previously use on your skin to alleviate your symptoms? 

When I was going through all these procedures, I was unable to wash my face properly. The pain radiated over the entire left side of my face, so I would just rub a cold flannel over the right side to feel some refreshing sensation! Even when the stitches healed and the scar had formed, I avoided the area when washing my face. Most products made the delicate skin sting or itch anyway, so I ended up just ignoring skincare all together. This obviously brought new problems, like spots and blackheads around my chin and even on my neck. 

How did your skin condition make you feel? 

I felt really disconnected to my body. I felt like I couldn’t trust my skin. I feared that by using the wrong product, or by touching the scar I would disrupt the healing and bring all the pain back. And I still feel a little insecure when meeting new people. I sometimes feel their eyes crawling over my face and I feel like I need to burst out with an explanation. When I tell people the story, sometimes they respond by saying, “oh that’s what it is!” Which makes me feel horrible! But other times they say, “I didn’t even notice!” which makes me feel much more comfortable in my skin. 

What products eventually worked for you? 

I have slowly been reconnecting with skincare – thanks to my little pot of green gold, Tamanu Balm. I won’t pretend that it has been easy. At first, I felt uncomfortable and a bit panicky touching the scar. But giving some love and nourishment to a place that has been so damaged, neglected and tied up with trauma has been truly empowering. 

Tamanu Balm glides on really smoothly. There’s no pulling or friction, and I can do a very gentle self-massage, which my surgeon says will help diminish redness and lumpiness! I like using Super Greens for this too. It feels so luxurious and it’s great to know I am feeding my scar with extra vitamins and skin-protective nutrients. 

I’m now brave enough to include the scar area in my cleansing and moisturising routine too, using unscented Smoothing Cleanser and Skin Feast. They’re both so gentle, leaving me with zero irritation and keeping the dreaded blackheads at bay.  

Finally, I’ve hit a major turning point in my scar journey – experimenting with concealer! I really don’t feel the need to cover my scar most days, but it’s nice to layer on some extra confidence when I’m meeting new people, going on dates or if I know there will be photo opportunities. I originally went to a makeup counter to get some advice, but I found that the beauty advisors didn’t really understand the delicate skin and I ended up with huge anxiety about using a chemical product that might cause irritation.  

So my heart literally fluttered with excitement when I read that Tropic’s Undercover Cream Concealer contains vitamin E, a famous scar healer! With a foundation of natural minerals, it’s so creamy and smooths very gently over the blemish. It’s a great confidence booster that helps me lift my head high. 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is feeling self-conscious of their scarring now, what would it be? 

I would say learn about the skin’s healing process. It’s actually incredible how scars form and how our skin adapts to wounds. Let’s wear them with pride!  

Of course, coming to terms with scarring isn’t plain sailing, as scars are so often tied up with trauma. So be gentle with yourself, thank your body (it’s always trying its best) and when you’re ready, find a nourishing, self-loving skincare routine that features tamanu and vitamin E. And if that’s not enough to give you confidence, a little natural makeup goes a long way!  

Please note that all information provided in this article comes from one individual tackling their personal skin ups and downs. Any results from products used or lifestyle changes are unique to their own skin’s reactions and might not work for everyone. If you are experiencing a skin condition, please speak to a doctor or dermatologist before using any product on your skin.