Skin Cycling: The Fermented Way
The Upgraded K-Beauty Version
Skin cycling is something you probably heard as a trend around 2022, but it’s evolving, and the next big thing is coming straight from the heart of Korean skincare. Fermented Skin Cycling – it’s a gentler, more nourishing way to reset and rejuvenate your skin without having to rely on harsh exfoliants like AHAs and BHAs - which is what you may think of when you hear skin cycling.
Skin cycling is alternating active ingredients over a set period to give your skin time to recover from the specific ingredients you choose to use on specific days. Traditionally, it involved using exfoliants (think AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids) on certain nights, followed by recovery nights with hydrating and repairing ingredients. Basically, you are avoiding overloading your skin with actives while still gaining the benefits.
I’ve been skin cycling for a while - although, in all honesty I don’t stick to it as much as I should. I’ll have 4 weeks of skin cylcing and then I have a week break alltogether. A lot of people may find acid-heavy cycling to cause irritation, dryness, and can also result in damaged skin barriers. That’s where Korean skincare comes in – you’re basically swapping the exfoliants for fermented ingredients that gently renew the skin while strengthening it’s natural barrier.
Korean skincare has always been one step ahead in the skin health game…we all kind of look up to Korean skincare - like it’s from the land of futre. Basically, instead of cycling between exfoliants and recovery nights, Fermented Skin Cycling incorporates fermented ingredients to renew and strengthen the skin – without the irritation. It’s like the Korean’s have fine-tuned skin cycling and now you have an amped up version without the side effects.
In the traditional skin cycling, chemical exfoliation removes dead skin cells - while fermented ingredients break down nutrients into smaller, more absorbable forms, so it’s easier for the skin to absorb. You’re less likely to compromise the skin barrier this way and end up with smoother, brighter skin.
Fermented skincare is basically like kombucha for your face. You know how fermented foods like kimchi and miso are packed with good bacteria that make them easier to digest and more nutritious? Well, it’s basically the same thing, but for skincare. Just in case you’re unsure on what fermentation is….it’s when their nutrients break down into smaller, more potent forms that your skin can absorb way more easily.
Plus, fermentation can actually boost the effectiveness of certain ingredients, but also making them gentler on the skin…it’s a win-win really. So instead of slapping on harsh actives, you’re feeding your skin a dose of supercharged, skin-loving goodness.
We’ve all heard of certain skincare ingredients, such as Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinimide etc - well in the Korean beauty world, these are the buzz words when it comes to fermented skin cycling (don’t worry, I can’t pronounce these either):
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate – A yeast-derived ingredient that brightens, hydrates, and improves skin texture (it’s actually in SK-II’s Pitera essence).
Lactobacillus Ferment – Strengthens the skin barrier and helps maintain a balanced microbiome.
Saccharomyces Ferment – Packed with amino acids and antioxidants, helping to repair and hydrate the skin.
Bifida Ferment Lysate – Reduces inflammation and boosts the skin’s natural defenses.
Fermented Rice Extract – Hydrates, soothes, and brightens dull skin.
As already mentioned, skin cycling..the fermented way, is obviously going to be less harsh on your skin, yet will still deliver amazing results - but now lets talk about the type of results we can pronounce:
Brighter/radiant skin – Fermented ingredients enhance cell turnover, similar to exfoliation but without irritation.
Stronger skin barrier – They will also help repair and protect the skin from environmental stressors.
Deep hydration – Fermented ingredients also improve moisture retention and plump up the skin.
Reduced sensitivity – Perfect for those with reactive skin who can’t tolerate traditional exfoliants.
Even skin tone – Helps with hyperpigmentation, dullness, and uneven texture.
I mean, why wouldn’t you skin cycle the fermented way? You’re literally getting all the results without damaging your skin in the process.
We already know what skin cycling is - and theres no difference in the routine, it’s mainly about swapping the ingredients. This is a basic idea of what a fermented skin cycling routine would look like:
Night 1 – Fermented Renewal: Use a fermented essence packed with Galactomyces or Bifida ferment to start the renewal process.
Night 2 – Barrier Boost: Follow up with a deeply hydrating fermented moisturizer or sleeping mask to strengthen the skin.
Night 3 – Skin Recovery: Focus on ceramide-rich products, peptides, and soothing ingredients to support the skin’s natural healing process.
Repeat the cycle and watch your skin transform over the next 4-6 weeks!
If you do try skin cycling - or are thinking about it, I’d love to hear from you 👇🏽
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I have done skin cycling but like many others after a while I just forget. But this is a great article as I’m trying more Korean skincare, I also live in little Koreatown so there’s a great culture here. But I have to say it has gotten so diverse. I love it.
I’m a licensed esthetician into education. Basically, what we are trying to achieve is cell renewal. We do this by fluffing off the dead skin cells which stimulates the production of new cells. This process happens on its own naturally, but takes longer if we do nothing. So, we are accelerating the process by removing the dead skin cells using different methods of exfoliation. Enzymes are produced by fermentation. These enzymes digest the dead skin cells. Acids provide chemical exfoliation, while microdermabrasion performs physical exfoliation. We often use a combination to achieve the best results. Acne is often the result of pores clogged with dead cells & bacteria. This is why exfoliation improves the condition & prevents new outbreaks. One of my favorite treatments is applying a mild vitamin C acid, layering a pumpkin peel over it (enzymatic fermented peel), and finally performing a microdermabrasion. After all that, I apply a cool soothing moisturizing algae mask! I’m partial to Dermodality, but I love Casmara algae peel off masks.