SKIN PURGING WHEN USING ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Just imagine you just started using a new skincare product that promises clear, glowing skin, and you are super excited. You can finally say hello to radiant, glowing skin and goodbye to those breakouts. Two days in your skin looks worse! Don’t panic, it’s common for new skincare to cause more breakouts than usual. The key is to figure out whether your skin is purging or asking for help.

WHAT IS SKIN PURGING?

Skin purging is a temporary skin reaction to a specific ingredients that may cause breakouts, skin dryness, flaking and peeling. It usually occurs when trying a new skin care product with active ingredients.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR SKIN IS PURGING OR BREAKING OUT?

Purging is a detox of the skin, where it is pushing out all the stored toxins while breakouts are the toxins stuck in your skin that are leading to acne and blackheads. A breakout could also indicate an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients. We have listed the signs below that tell you whether your skin is purging or breaking out.

HOW DOES PURGING HAPPEN?

Here’s how purging actually works– if a product speeds up skin turnover (the rate at which skin cells are shed and replaced), then the entire cycle will be accelerated and microcomedones will turninto whiteheads/blackheads/pimples or cysts more quickly, so you’ll suddenly see a few blemishes appear.

If the product is irritating (which most skin turnover-accelerating products are), some microcomedones (early stage of acne) that weren’t going to show up might join the party too, since inflammation is one of the factors causing acne. These microcomedones were in the skin before you started the new product. They are not new blockages caused by the product.

So as the product starts to work, less microcomedones should form, and after the initial breakout stage, your skin should become clearer than when you started the product. Purging is a necessary process that your skin must go through to adjust to new skincare products

HOW LONG DOES A SKIN PURGE LAST?

Things need to get worse before they get better applies perfectly to skin purges. If you can wait out the adjustment period the results are well worth it! 

Unfortunately, there is no precise answer to this. It depends on factors such as the strength of product you’re using, your overall skincare routine, and how congested your skin is.

Any irritation from skin purging should be temporary and resolve itself in the same amount of time as a standard acne breakout, or sooner. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR SKIN IS PURGING?

When your skin is going through the purging process, it is important to maintain a routine. While it might not be encouraging to see a skin purge for the first few weeks on your new routine but be patient and gentle with your skin. It’s very vulnerable and sensitive at this point.

Here are some tips for you to follow while your skin is purging: 

• Avoid popping any of those pimples or excessive touching of the face. These actions will only add more bacteria to your skin.
• Do your best to avoid harsh chemicals or exfoliants. Too much, too quickly will only extend the purging process.
• Ease your skin into new products, especially those containing active ingredients. To help, try incorporating one new product at a time. Give your skin 5-7 days to adjust before adding in a second product.  
  
• Avoid extended sun exposure during skin purging. If you’re going to be out in the sun, be sure to apply plenty of SPF. 
•  If your skin doesn’t settle after a few weeks, or if your breakouts are severe or worsening, seek the guidance of your GP or dermatologist.