To purge or not to purge?
The term 'purging' describes the early stage of new skincare products where some people can experience a mini-spike in breakouts. But once your skin has adjusted to the new product, you'll enjoy a clearer complexion and healthier, younger-looking skin.
Scrubs, masks, oh my! Purging, a controversial and stressful skincare "phenomenon", has so many bloggers screaming FOUL. Let's demystify the process before you rush to judgment.
What is skin purging?
Skin purging is the name used to describe when your skin is acting up in response to introducing a product such as an exfoliant or retinoid; It's prevalent in people starting a new skin care regimen.
Can salicylic acid cause skin purge?
Salicylic acid(aka BHA) is considered one of the most effective ingredients for clearing pores of dead skin cells and eliminating clogs. This can help speed up the breakout process and potentially prevent future breakouts.
Can benzoyl peroxide cause purging?
Although benzoyl peroxide is prescribed to treat acne, its active ingredients can increase cell turnover rate. Unfortunately, this means it causes your skin to purge when you first use it.
Let's face it, though. Sometimes breakouts will occur because of your body's natural functions. Neither salicylic acid nor benzoyl peroxide will keep them from happening. After all, women can have breakouts before their period, and everyone has a bout of acne with the new moon every month.
How can I tell the difference between skin purging and breakouts?
There is a difference between skin purging and routine breakouts. Timing distinguishes the two. Skin purging is a process where the body's sebum oversecretion tries to expel toxins trapped in a clogged pore and last for a short period. At the same time, breakouts can happen at any time when the clogged pore produces inflamed pimples. In other words, skin purging should be okay with time.
How to care for my skin when purging occurs?
Let's start with the basic skincare steps. Moisturise, drink plenty of water, eat healthily, manage stress levels and go makeup-free when you can.
Never squeeze spots, or you may spread bacteria, further aggravating your skin and possibly leaving scars.
What does skin purge look like?
During skin purging, whiteheads look less angry than those caused by breakouts. During a purge, you'll usually see blackheads and small flesh-coloured bumps rather than inflamed pustules or nodules. However, this is not an absolute rule--acne caused by skin purging can also appear and disappear much faster than classic breakouts.
Will my skin get worse before it gets better?
Not everyone experiences skin purging when using a leave-on exfoliant or retinoid. Purging is often a short-term phase; you should stick it out for a few weeks to get through it. However, suppose you stop using the product immediately because of skin changes. In that case, you may miss out on these products' benefits.
Despite the initial distress, it's actually a good thing when acne bumps appear on the surface of your skin--because they will eventually come to a head and then disappear. But, unfortunately, they were deep in the pore, clogging it up and making it larger than usual. This can lead to cystic acne if not treated.
How long does purging skin last?
If your skin is still breaking out after 4 weeks of using a new product, consider what else you use in your routine. Your breakout may worsen due to other factors like hormones, medications, or just as a natural progression. If your skin isn't improving as much as you'd like after 8 weeks, see a certified dermatologist for help with your regimen.
Conclusion
Some people find that their skin doesn't react well to certain ingredients, which may result in an unwanted reaction (irritant contact dermatitis). If your skin isn't getting through the adjustment period, you may need to stop using the product and seek alternatives.