Over the last couple of months, I’ve had to explain what skin purging meant to some lovely ladies who thought they had breakouts after using new products for a few days. I only recently realised that skin purging is actually a thing, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re just reading about it for the first time. We all learn everyday 🙂 . Looking back now, I think I may have been experienced skin purging right after a facial treatment that I thought didn’t work for me 😀 .
What is Skin Purging?
Skin purging is known as the adjustment period when your skin gets temporarily worse from using a new product. Purging is an initial acne breakout that can occur when you’re starting a new active skincare product, one that causes your skin cells to turn over more quickly.
Difference Between Skin Purging & Breakouts
You can tell the difference because a proper purge generally occurs all over the face at once especially if you have recently introduced a new medicated treatment or undergone a skin treatment, whereas the usual breakout shows up randomly and individually if you have started a new skincare routine (non-medicated) or introduced new makeup. This could just mean that the items are not suitable for your skin and are aggravating the underlying acne process.
Skin purging is more likely to occur in those who are more prone to breakouts in the first place, or someone going through an internal detoxification process such as diet or lifestyle change. Some people ma also experience purging when they start to use a deep cleansing brush, such as the Clarisonic Cleansing Brush. Please note that the area where your skin is breaking out is also an essential factor to consider. Always seek expert advice if you’re unsure.
Products that contain active ingredients and those that increase your skin cell turnover rate may also cause skin purging. They include :
- Retinoids (including isotretinoin, retinol, retinyl palmitate, tretinoin, tazarotene, and adapalene)
- Hydroxy acids (such as malic, lactic, glycolic, lactobionic, mandelic, gluconolactone, and fruit acids)
- Exfoliants (such as enzyme exfoliants and scrubs)
- Benzoyl peroxide
- Chemical peels and other procedures such as microdermabrasion and lasers (ingredients used in or during these procedures)
*Remember, products that do not contain these active ingredients will not cause skin purging.*
Skin purging is actually a positive thing! To be honest, the pimples would have shown up eventually anyway, or the hardened sebum would have remained stuck in your pores, keeping them clogged and inflamed 🙁 . If you are indeed purging, it’s best to stick things out and continue using the product because your skin WILL improve, take my word for it! It’s just a case of things having to get worse before they get better. This was my experience with the Urban Skin Rx Cleansing Bar.
A purge can last as long as two months, and you should start seeing an improvement by the six-week point, if not sooner. On the other side of a purge is CLEANER & CLEARER SKIN.
I hope you found this post helpful. For consultations, please feel free to contact me directly by filling this form and I’ll make sure to attend to you as fast as possible.
Hugs and Kisses,
Missglam.
Lovely.
Thank you, Bidemi! Xx