There is a chance that you have recently begun using a new skincare product and are experiencing more breakouts than usual. You see small pimples on your cheeks, forehead, and chin when examining your skin. Do not worry!
It is very typical to experience what appears to be a breakout, and it is more than probable that you are experiencing skin purging rather than a breakout.
What Is Purging Skin (Acne Purging)?
Skin purging, in simple terms, refers to the process of shedding dead cells, bacteria, oil, and debris that’s underneath the surface of your skin. The meaning of skin purging is the skin’s reaction to an active ingredient that is causing increased skin cell turnover. Skin purging or acne purging is a temporary flare-up of acne that occurs when you introduce a new product to your skincare routine.
Is the Purge Real?
If you wish to know whether purging skin is for real, then the answer is yes. Skin purging occurs if you have acne-prone skin. Certain skincare products cause acne flare-ups first before they make it better. You may experience breakouts at first due to the purging of the skin. But this gets better with time, and you may have clearer and better skin after this.
What Does Skin Purging Look Like?
You may not be able to tell the difference between purging vs breakout. When your skin starts purging, it is bound to look like usual breakouts. You may have two types of acne flare-ups: papules and pustules. The papules make your skin feel like sandpaper, whereas the pus-filled pimples or pustules are typically whiteheads with a yellow or white centre.
What Causes Skin Purging?
Skin purging does not mean manually squeezing out all the yellow gunk from pimples. Purging of the skin occurs naturally when you start using new skincare products containing chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, and retinoids.
These exfoliants speed up the rate of skin cell turnover in your body. Cell turnover is the rate at which your body sheds dead skin cells to replace them with newer ones.
Skin purging is a blessing in disguise as it helps remove all the dirt and gunk from the deeper layers of your skin. The purging helps push out all the sebum, dirt, and bacteria out of your pores.
As frustrating and annoying as skin purging can be, it is not always due to a wrong product. Acne purging does not cause the formation of new pimples but rather just speeds up the formation of the underlying pimples. This is why you end up having acne purging in areas where you are prone to breakouts.
What to Do When Your Skin Is Purging?
When your skin starts purging, the first and the best thing you can do is visit a dermatologist or simply wait it out. Any kind of breakouts requires some tender, loving care (TLC) to get better. So, when your skin is purging, be gentle with your skin and wash your face twice daily. Avoid scrubbing your skin, and keep your hands away from your face.
Also, do not use too much make-up when you have acne purging. Using a mild colour corrector to hide the blemishes and cover up those painful flare-ups is all right.
Can You Prevent Skin Purging?
Yes, you can prevent skin purging if you follow these tips:
- Use only one new skincare product at a time.
- Always do a patch test first and try the product on a small area of your skin. Your inner forearm is the best part to try. Wait for 24-48 hours to ensure your skin has not reacted to it.
- Use a lesser amount than prescribed for use.
- Keep a proper, long gap between the two applications. Try not to use it every second or third day.
Despite trying these above tips, if you still experience purging of your skin, then do not lose hope. Take it slow and ease into the product’s use.
Skin Purging Vs Breakouts
Do you want to learn the difference between skin purging and breakouts? Well, for starters, you may not immediately realise whether a product is working for you or not. It is possible that your skin is on its way to improvement and there isn’t any skin purging happening.
Here are the key characteristics of skin purging vs breakout:
Purging of skin: This presents in a defined area where you experience breakouts frequently. Skin purging usually clears up faster than your regular pimples or breakouts.
Breakouts: These present in new areas where you usually don’t get pimples. The timeline of each breakout from development to healing differs.
Common Forms of Acne During a Skin Purge
When your skin flares up due to a new skincare product, you’re bound to notice a pattern in your acne breakouts. You develop any one of the following four types of acne during skin purging:
- Pustules
- Whiteheads
- Blackheads
- Cysts
Summing Up on Skin Purging
When you first start using a new product, dealing with purging skin might be discouraging. Patience is required to get through the purging.
The purging stage can be aggravating, and there is not much you can do but wait it out calmly. As inconvenient as it may be, once your skin has adjusted to its new routine, it will be well worth it.
FAQs
Is Skin Purging Good?
Yes, skin purging is good. It removes all the bad material from your skin at once, leaving only the good. Consider it a thorough cleansing. Skin purging can last four to six weeks, but after it's done, you'll be left with clear, youthful, and bright skin.
Can I Pop Purging Skin?
Yes, you can but be careful and gentle with your skin during the cleansing process. At this point, it is quite delicate and susceptible to damage. Avoid popping the purging skin or rubbing your face excessively. These actions will only serve to increase the number of bacteria on your skin.
How Long Does Skin Purging Last?
Since purging happens when an ingredient acts to speed up the skin's normal rate of shedding and renewal, you should be able to get over the worst of it in one full skin cycle. As everyone's skin is different, the time frame will vary from person to person. In any case, purging should be completed within four to six weeks of beginning a new skincare program, according to doctors. However, consult your dermatologist if your purge lasts more than six weeks.
Does Vitamin C Cause Skin Purging?
Yes, Vitamin C can cause skin purging. Anything that causes your skin cells to change over more quickly, such as retinoids (Vitamin A), Vitamin C (a very weak acid that can slough off dead superficial skin), and hydroxy acids (glycolic acid, malic acid, and salicylic acid), might trigger skin purging. All these chemicals have one thing in common: they help you shed dead skin cells more quickly, so they do not clog your pores.
How Do You Treat Skin Purging?
If your skin is purging, do not stop using the new product causing it because it only means the ingredients in it are working for your skin. The active component purges all skin pollutants stored in the inner layers of your skin. You do not want to aggravate your skin further, so stick to a gentle skincare routine to alleviate the irritation.
During the day, use a sulfate-free cleanser, a skin-calming moisturiser, and physical sunscreen to cure the condition and restore your skin's health and clarity. Also, continue using the product causing skin purging during this period; do not worry, it will not get any worse.
Make sure, however, that you give your skin time to adjust to the product. If you are using a retinol product, for example, start using it once a week for the first week, twice the second week, three times the third week, and so on until your skin is ready for its use every other day.
It is advised to refrain from applying any home treatments to your face while it is cleansing. Even moisturizing or calming products should be avoided at this time because they might worsen skin sensitivity and cause rashes.
Does Purging Leave Marks?
The removal of acne purging leaves no scars or imperfections on the skin. It actually repairs the skin, resulting in the formation of newer skin cells.
Can Moisturizer Cause Purging?
Purging skin can be caused by products that include active substances that accelerate skin turnover. Hydroxy acids (glycolic, lactic, malic, mandelic, salicylic, lactobionic acids, gluconolactone; ‘fruit acids’), retinoids (retinol, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, isotretinoin, retinyl palmitate), benzoyl peroxide, chemical peels, lasers, microdermabrasion, and other exfoliants are active ingredients.
Most other items, such as moisturizers and cleansers, will not be able to cause purging. You should switch to something else if you are experiencing skin reactions with a moisturizer.
Is Aloe Vera Good for Purging Skin?
Yes, you can always treat your skin purge with ice or aloe vera gel if your skin is highly irritated and you want to do something about it. It moisturizes and calms the skin, reducing irritation and assisting in controlling the condition.
References:
https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/skin-care/skin-care-concerns/skin-purging.aspx
https://www.byrdie.com/skin-purging-4844146
https://www.riverchasedermatology.com/blog/what-the-heck-is-skin-purging-exactly/
