No one likes waking up to a new breakout on their face. If you’ve recently started breaking out after using a new skincare product that contains active ingredients such as retinol or salicylic acid, you could be experiencing skin purging. A skin purge may seem like a breakout, but it’s actually a sign that the product is doing its job. It’s important to know that not all reactions to new skincare ingredients are a sign of purging, and if a product is truly breaking you out, it probably doesn’t agree with your skin type. If you’re wondering whether you’re experiencing skin purging or breaking out, here’s everything you need to know.
Skin Purging or Breaking Out: What’s the Difference?
Skin purging and breakouts can look similar, but it’s important to know the difference between the two. Skin purging occurs when you start using active skincare ingredients, like retinol, benzoyl peroxide, or chemical exfoliants, while breakouts can happen for a number of reasons, including hormones, stress, and using pore-clogging ingredients.
Breakouts can happen at any time, whereas purging starts shortly after introducing a new skincare product into your routine. This is why it’s best to add new products one by one so if your skin has a reaction, you know which one is causing it. Skin purging causes temporary acne-like symptoms that usually go away in a few weeks. It often manifests as new white heads or blackheads that would have eventually made their way to your face- the active just speeds up the process.
10 Causes & Symptoms of Skin Purging
Causes
Skin purging is linked to active skincare ingredients such as retinoids and chemical exfoliants. Although there have been no studies on skin purging, it’s believed that these active ingredients cause an increase in cell turnover, bringing underlying congestion to the surface and speeding up acne development. When you increase cell turnover, the underlying layers of skin are forced to shed cells more quickly, leading to trapped oil, dirt, and dead skin cells being brought to the skin’s surface. This can cause a temporary increase in breakouts. Ingredients that accelerate cell turnover include retinoids like retinol and tretinoin, AHAs like glycolic acid, BHAs like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and some forms of vitamin C.
Symptoms
- Purging breakouts can look different for different people, but can include whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and cysts
- Red bumps on the skin and accompanying facial redness
- Dryness and flaking alongside bumps and breakouts
- Uneven, rough skin texture
- Breakout beings shortly after introducing a new product into your skincare routine
- Breakout appears exclusively in the area where the product was applied
- Clears off faster than a regular breakout (heals in 2-3 weeks)
- Worsens when you use the product and improves when you stop
- Doesn’t leave a mark or blemish
6 Tips to Prevent Skin Purging Breakouts
- Slowly introduce new products into your routine, especially ones with active ingredients (start with 1-2 times per week and build up your use). Giving your skin time to adjust can help you avoid purging.
- Introduce new products one at a time rather than adding a multitude of products all at once. This allows your skin to adjust to each product and will also show you which product is causing irritation, if any.
- Focus on repairing your skin barrier, as a weakened barrier can make you more susceptible to purging. Ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid will strengthen and repair the skin barrier.
- Keep your skin hydrated- drink lots of water and use a hydrating moisturizer morning and night.
- Avoid adding new products to your routine in the lead up to a big event, for example, a wedding or vacation.
- Patch test new products, especially if you have sensitive skin, to find out if a product will be an issue for you.
10 Tips to Treat Skin Purging Breakouts
- Reduce how frequently you use the product that’s causing your skin to purge.
- Reduce the amount of product you use- start with a little bit and work your way up as your tolerance grows.
- Switch to a lower strength of the active ingredient.
- When the frequency of new spots starts to reduce, increase the frequency of your actives.
- The last thing you want to do is irritate your skin even more, so use gentle products for sensitive skin.
- Wash your skin day and night with a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, pollutants, and skincare residue that might clog your pores.
- Avoid touching your face, picking at blemishes, and scrubbing the skin.
- Use a lightweight, calming moisturizer to soothe and hydrate your skin.
- Wear sunscreen everyday, especially if using retinoids or acids as they can make skin more sensitive. Avoid the sun as much as possible if you’re experiencing purging, but still always wear sunscreen.
- Stop using a product immediately if it’s causing itching, burning, rashes, puffiness, or blisters, or if your eyes start to itch or water. This could mean you’re having an allergic reaction.
5 Best Drugstore Products to Treat Skin Purging Breakouts
1. Aveeno Calm + Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser
This gentle cleanser is fragrance-free and ideal for sensitive skin. Formulated with oat and feverfew, it calms and hydrates to preserve the skin’s moisture barrier, leaving your skin clean and healthy.
2. CeraVe Ultra Light Moisturizing Gel
A lightweight moisturizer that provides long-lasting hydration and helps restore the skin barrier? Count us in. Made with ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, it will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.
3. Good Molecules Hyaluronic Acid Serum
For an extra dose of hydration, this serum can be used morning and night before oils, creams, and moisturizers. It contains two forms of hyaluronic acid with different molecular weights, allowing it to penetrate multiple layers of skin and deliver deep hydration.
4. Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 50
Wearing a daily sunscreen is so important, especially if you’re using actives and experiencing purging. This oil-free sunscreen was made for sensitive, acne-prone skin. It’s lightweight and allows the skin to breathe without causing breakouts.
5. e.l.f. Holy Hydration Sleeping Mask
Formulated with hyaluronic acid and peptides, this moisturizing overnight mask provides a powerful hydration boost. Hyaluronic acid locks in moisture, while ceramides build up the skin’s moisture barrier, and peptides promote collagen and improve skin texture. Use 2-3 times a week to reset your skin.
Skin purging is no fun, but at least it’s temporary. Use these tips to prevent or manage skin purging and remember, patience is key.
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