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28 Day Skin Cell Renewal: How It Happens and Why It’s Important for Daily Skin Care
BY: ISHANI JAIN
In terms of skincare, a phenomenon that occurs just below the dermis layer of an individual's skin is the cell turnover cycle. This natural occurrence is very important in the maintenance of your skin’s look, texture, and general health. But fundamentally, what is the skin cell turnover process? How long does it take? And, more importantly, how is it related to the efficacy of your cosmetic products?
In this blog, we will take a closer look at the skin cell turnover cycle, which is a 28-day process responsible for the look and feel of your skin and how knowing this can help you in your future skincare.
What Is Skin Cell Turnover?
Keratinocytes’ regeneration is the condition where the outer layer of the skin is replaced by the cells in the interior part of the skin. It is a process that is ongoing all the time and can go on all through life so that your skin is always replacing itself.
The turnover process occurs in the epidermis, the outermost layer of your skin, and is divided into several stages:
A. New Cells Formation (Basal Layer): Epidermis is the outermost layer of skin, and skin cells are manufactured in the basal layer of the epidermis. Such cells are known as keratinocytes.
B. Cell Migration to the Surface: In the next few weeks, these cells are then displaced upwards through the layers of the epidermis.
C. Natural Shedding (Stratum Corneum): Once the cells of the epithelial layer get to the surface or outermost layer called the stratum corneum, they are dead cells packed with another structural protein called keratin. Finally, such dead cells slough off, and the whole process is repeated again.
The 28-Day Cycle: What You Need to Know
Approximately, everyone’s skin takes nearly 28 days to complete one full cycle of cell shedding. However, this timeframe can vary based on age, lifestyle, and health. Let’s see it according to your age:
In your 20s: Skin cell renewal is rapid, and the skin takes about one month to renew its entire structure. This is why we tend to associate youthful skin with a smoother and more radiant look.
In your 30s and beyond: When we reach this stage in our lives, the turnover starts to decline. Typically, by the time one is 30–40 years old, cell regeneration takes between 40–60 days, which can make the skin dull due to the accumulation of dead cells on its surface.
How the Cell Turnover Process Affects Your Skin’s Appearance
The efficiency of the skincare regime depends much on the process of cell turnover. When the process is running smoothly:
● Smooth Skin Texture: Dead skin cells should be shed off the skin’s surface regularly to avoid the formation of rough skin on its surface.
● Brighter Complexion: When new cells climb to the skin’s surface, the skin looks rejuvenated and glowing.
● Even Skin Tone: Because new skin cells produce themselves at a very fast rate, the chances of having things like dark spots and hyperpigmentation are greatly reduced as the aged skin cells are shed off very fast from the skin surface.
● Reduced Breakouts: When dead skin cells accumulate, they form a layer that blocks the pores, causing the skin to break out. Proper turnover, on the other hand, allows skin to be in proper exfoliation.
How Cosmetic Products Affect the Process of Cell Turnover in the Skin
Knowledge of the skin rejuvenation process will assist in selecting appropriate cosmetic products and knowing when to apply them. Here’s how some common types of skincare products are designed to work with your natural cell turnover cycle:
- Exfoliants
AHAs include glycolic, lactic, and mandelic acids; BHAs comprise salicylic and beta/arbutin acids. The former loosen the keratinized layer and therefore increase the rate of the natural exfoliation process.
Physical scrubs mechanically remove some of the layers through friction from the skin surface. Regular scrubbing of the skin promotes rapid regeneration of the upper layers, preventing the skin from becoming dull and prone to pimples. However, physical scrubbing should not be done daily as it can cause other side effects. - Retinoids
Retinoids are effective in terms of increasing the rate of cell turnover. This accelerates the shedding of dead and dysfunctional cells and promotes cell production. Retinoids are widely used in anti-aging formulations like NEWLOOK NIGHT CREAM and LOVEWARMTH REVIVELIFT ESSENCE NIGHT CREAM due to their skin-friendly properties for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. - Moisturizers
Hydrating products should be used on the skin during the turnover process so as not to interrupt the skin barrier function. Because the new cells forming are softer and more open to external factors, it is essential to keep the skin well-hydrated to lock in nutrients and shield them from harm. For light hydration, use LOVEWARMTH ESSENCE LOTION, and for richer hydration, opt for NEWLOOK 24hr RICH MOISTURIZER. - Brightening Serums
Products containing Vitamin C (NEWLOOK Vitamin C Serum), niacinamide (NEWLOOK Niacinamide 10% & Zinc 1%), and licorice extract help lighten areas with high pigmentation and enhance the skin renewal rate.
Why Patience Is Key: The 28-Day Rule
This further means that while products used in beauty may tend to make this possible faster, the skin has a rate at which it reproduces. In most cases, creams and other treatments do not reveal the desired results, at least after one skin cycle, which is 28 days. This is why dermatologists advise that one should continue to use a new product for one month before deciding whether or not it is beneficial to them.
Short-Term Effects (First 2 Weeks): During this period, the user of exfoliants may begin to unveil a new layer of skin, while the moisturizers would enhance skin moisture.
Mid-Term Effects (4-6 Weeks): It makes sense as after one cycle old cells have been replaced with new ones, which enhances the action of active ingredients – retinoids or Vitamin C, for example.
Long-Term Effects (8-12 Weeks): After going through two or more cycles, some of the effects begin to accumulate and they include minimizing fine lines, rough surface of the skin, and uneven skin tone.
Maximizing the Benefits: Skin Care Summer Tips: How to Sync Your Beauty Regimen with Your Skin’s Cycle
To optimize the benefits of your skincare products, consider timing them according to your skin’s turnover process:
● Exfoliate Weekly: Try using a chemical or physical scrub one or two times a week to remove dead skin cells which do not allow new cells to emerge.
● Nightly Retinoids: Use retinoid-containing cream like LOVEWARMTH NIGHT CREAM at night to help increase your skin’s rate of cell reproduction since you are asleep and your skin is regenerating itself.
● Daily Sunscreen: Because skin cells that are newly formed are more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, never venture outside without applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen like LOVEWARMTH SPF 30 PA+++ during the day.
Challenges to Cell Renewal or Things That Retard the Overall Cell Exchange Process
There are things you need that are not beneficial for your skin since some issues can hamper the cell turnover to slow down. These include:
● Aging: As people age naturally, cell production decelerates, and their skin loses its natural glow; moreover, it can become covered with layers of dead skin cells.
● Sun Damage: Excessive exposure of the skin to UV radiation leads to induction of dead skin cells and a reduced capability of formation of a new layer of skin cells.
● Dehydration: One of the hindrances to skin’s natural process of exfoliation is failure to shed dead skin cells, hence causing skin dryness and roughness in texture.
● Poor Diet & Lifestyle: The lack of essential nutrients and sleep losses can negatively affect the process of skin cell production.