Q: What is skin purging?
A: Skin purging is a term used to describe a skin reaction to an active ingredient that is increasing skin cell turnover rate. As skin cell turnover speeds up, the skin starts shedding dead skin cells faster than normal. But before these new, healthy cells can cycle to the surface, some other stuff has to rise to the top first, like the excess sebum, flakes, and buildup that clog pores. During this process, it can prompt all kinds of pimples ranging from whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts, and even the tiny ‘pre-pimples’ that aren’t visible to the eye, called microcomedones.” Other than pimples which look like breakouts, dry, peeling skin is also common.
Skin purging is to be expected with certain skin care ingredients. The common ones are retinoids, exfoliating acid, chemical peel, anti-acne exfoliating agents like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide.
Purging will occur in a more defined area where you frequently breakout. Pimples that arise from purging will appear and disappear faster than a ‘normal’ pimple. Since purging occurs when an ingredient attempts to speed up the skin’s natural pace of shedding and renewal, it should only take one full skin cycle (4 – 6 weeks) to get through the worst of it.
The whole process of skin purging is to expose the fresh skin cells underneath and reveal clearer, younger-looking skin.
When skin purging occurs, stick to a gentle basic skincare routine to avoid further inflammation which includes a mild cleanser, soothing moisturizer and sunblock. In the meantime, #CONTINUE to use the product that causes the purging in the first place. Stick through this ‘it gets worse before it gets better’ phase
