Step 1: Gentle Cleanse

For my first step, I use the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser. Since my skin is acne-prone and oily, this cleanser is perfect as it removes dirt, oil, and impurities without leaving that uncomfortable drying feeling.

Why it works for me:

• Gentle enough for sensitive skin, yet effective on oil.

• Enriched with ceramides to support the skin-barrier and niacinamide to calm redness.

• Leaves my skin feeling clean but still plump.

This cleanser truly sets the stage for my hydration nights as it gives me a fresh, soothed base.

Step 2: Barrier-Boosting Moisturizer

Next, I go in with the La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream. This step is all about restoring moisture and strengthening my skin barrier from the harsh retinoids or exfoliants from other nights.

Key moisturizing ingredients:

• Ceramide-3: reinforces the skin’s natural barrier.

• Glycerin: delivers deep hydration.

• Prebiotic Thermal Water: calms irritation and nurtures sensitive skin.

This cream is lightweight enough to avoid clogging pores but rich enough to keep my skin comfortable all night long. It's prince range is also very affordable, being $17 on Amazon for a big 400ml bottle!

Step 3: Overnight Hydration Boost- Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative and Protective Cream

Finally, I seal everything in with Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative and Protective Cream. This is my secret weapon for hydration days, as it locks in moisture while repairing and soothing the skin overnight.

Why I love it's ingredients:

• Sucralfate helps skin repair micro-damage.

• Copper-Zinc Complex reduces irritation and protects against bacteria.

• Avène Thermal Spring Water calms and refreshes.

I apply the La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Cream first, then layer Avène Cicalfate+ last. This sandwich of hydration ensures I wake up with skin that’s plump, soft, and soothed—basically the glazed donut glow !

Why Hydration Days Matter in Skin Cycling

When your skin is dehydrated, it tends to overcompensate by producing excess oil, which leads to clogged pores and unwanted breakouts. By prioritizing hydration on Day 1 of skin cycling, I’m giving my skin the balance it needs to stay calm and prevent irritation later in the cycle.

For the longest time, I thought the key to clearing acne was “drying it out,” so I often skipped moisturizer completely. Looking back, that was a huge mistake. By withholding hydration, I wasn’t helping my skin barrier heal—I was actually weakening it and making breakouts harder to manage. Once I started giving my skin the moisture it craved, it finally had the chance to repair itself.

Hydration nights are often overlooked, yet they’re actually the cornerstone of skin cycling—especially for acne-prone or sensitive skin. Exfoliants and retinoids can only deliver results if your skin barrier is strong enough to handle them. Think of hydration as the fertilizer that allows your skin to thrive and bloom.

Final Thoughts

My Day 1 skin cycling routine is simple, soothing, and barrier-focused:

1. Cleanse: La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Cleanser

2. Moisturize: La Roche-Posay Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream

3. Repair & Protect: Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Cream

The result? Hydrated, calm, and glowing skin by morning!

For me, these hydration nights are just as important as the exfoliation and retinoid nights that follow. They are truly the foundation for healthy, glowing skin.

Want to see what comes next? Stay tuned for Day 2 of my skin cycling routine, where I’ll share how I introduce exfoliation in the gentlest, most skin-friendly way.