Skin Cell Turnover: What it is, and How the Right Skincare Products Can Support It
Your skin is in a constant state of renewal and regeneration, which is known as skin cell turnover – the basis of your skin’s texture and appearance.
Skin cells operate on their independent skin renewal cycles, but there are plenty of external and internal factors that can slow down this process. Sluggish skin cell turnover often leads to a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface layer of the skin, which triggers a host of visible skin concerns – and often stands in the way of smooth, even, glowing skin.
Read on as we demystify the skin renewal cycle, explore how it works, and walk you through which skincare products can give your cell turnover a gentle nudge.
What is skin cell turnover?
Skin cell turnover is the natural, continuous process of creating new skin cells and shedding old ones. The primary type of skin cell found in the epidermis (your skin’s outer layer) are keratinocytes1. These cells are generated in the bottom layer of the epidermis (the basal layer) before migrating to the skin’s outer surface (the stratum corneum)2.
Eventually, these cells slough off the skin surface and make way for new cells – a cycle that spans approximately 28 days for the average adult2.
1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40246604/
2https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/skin-structure-function/
Why is skin cell turnover important?
The rate of your skin cell turnover directly impacts how your skin looks and feels. Ordinary cell turnover helps your skin stay smooth, bright, supple, and even-looking. When skin cell turnover slows, however, it can contribute to a range of skin concerns: including dullness, uneven skin tone, fine lines, blemishes, dry patches, and other textural concerns.
Your skin cell turnover rate also maintains the integrity of the skin moisture barrier, which is instrumental in protecting the skin from external aggressors.
How does age impact the skin renewal cycle?
Skin cell turnover is at its most robust in our teenage years (roughly 14 days). As we age, though, the cycle naturally decreases. Let’s break it down by age bracket.
- In your 20s: cell turnover spans anywhere from 20 to 28 days.
- In your 30s and 40s: cell turnover can be anywhere from 28 to 40 days long.
- After 50: cell turnover can take upwards of 45 days to complete.
What else can slow down cellular turnover?
While age is one of the primary influences for slow skin cell turnover, there are other contributing factors, including:
- Sun exposure
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Lack of sleep
- Poor nutrition
- Hormonal imbalances
How to encourage skin cell turnover: 5 tips to stimulate the skin cell renewal cycle
There are several skincare ingredients designed to stimulate skin cell turnover – and help you uncover smoother, brighter, more even-looking skin. You can also support your skin from the inside out to gently encourage the natural skin renewal cycle.
Lancôme’s National Skincare Expert Brittany Hanchard shares her insights with us:
“You can stimulate skin cell turnover through a combination of gentle chemical exfoliation, retinol usage, powerful hydration, protective sun-smart habits, and an internal tune-up.”
Explore our five in-depth tips below.
1. Gentle exfoliation
Slow skin cell turnover results in a buildup of dead skin cells on the skin surface, but gentle exfoliation can help slough these skin cells. Chemical exfoliants – such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) – work by loosening the bonds between dead skin cells and encouraging smoother, brighter, renewed skin to the surface.
That said, some exfoliants are too potent for sensitive skin types, which is why Lancome’s Clarifique range is powered by enzymes – a gentle alternative that dissolves dead skin cells without disruption to the skin moisture barrier.
The Clarifique Pore Refining Cleansing Foam is formulated to remove impurities while enhancing radiance, refining pores, resurfacing texture, and boosting clarity. This cleanser is most suitable for oily skin; for dry skin types, we suggest the Advanced Clarifique Double Treatment Essence. This formula provides a light exfoliating effect while maintaining skin hydration.
2. Introduce retinol to your skincare routine
Determining when to start using retinol comes down to your individual needs and concerns, but it is one of the most effective ingredients for stimulating skin cell turnover.
The Rénergie C.R.X. Triple Serum Retinol combines retinol and vitamin C with x-peptide to help renew skin cells and smooth the appearance of visible fine lines and wrinkles.
Being such a powerful ingredient, apply retinol only sparingly at first, beginning once or twice per week. Then, monitor how your skin responds, and gradually increase your dosage to three or four times per week. Be sure to only apply at night to clean, dry skin.
3. Support the skin moisture barrier
Dehydration can impact the skin renewal cycle, so a balanced skin moisture barrier is crucial for efficient skin cell turnover. Here, you can look to humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate your skin, while emollients like ceramides and squalane help lock that moisture into the skin surface and prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Start with a hydrating serum like the Rénergie H.C.F. Triple Serum, which harnesses hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to strengthen the skin moisture barrier. Then, follow with a nourishing moisturiser, such as our Rénergie Collagen+ Lift-Xtend Cream. This ultra-hydrating formula is enriched with an advanced collagen complex to promote firmer, tighter skin and a radiant finish.
Want to explore the distinction between humectants, emollients, and occlusives[RB2.1> in more detail? Read our in-depth guide for more.
4. Always protect your skin with SPF
Sunscreen is a non-negotiable in any skincare routine – but it’s essential if you’re using skincare ingredients that increase photosensitivity, such as retinol and salicylic acid.
Increased photosensitivity means that your skin is more vulnerable to sun damage, so it’s important to always apply SPF50+ at the end of your morning skincare routine (at least twenty minutes before sun exposure) as well as regularly throughout the day.
5. Care from within
You can support your skincare practice with healthy lifestyle habits to further encourage the skin renewal cycle.
- Try to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, both of which can inhibit skin cell turnover.
- Manage stress levels – cortisol (the stress hormone) can slow down cellular turnover.
- Exercise regularly to improve circulation and stimulate skin cell shedding and regeneration.
- Drink plenty of water each day and maintain a nutrient-rich diet full of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep a night, as your sleep patterns play a major role in keeping your skin radiant and balanced.
In addition to slower skin cell turnover, the skin undergoes a number of changes as we age. Next, find out what happens to skin in menopause and perimenopause