Let’s delve into it!
It truly does suck when you start any kind of new skincare product in hopes of improving. your skin, only to have a sudden purge happen. Let’s break down what is causing this & how to know when to call it a day on that product.
Purging is a temporary skin reaction that can happen when you start using a new skincare product, especially those that increase skin cell turnover, like exfoliants or retinoids. During this phase, your skin pushes out clogged pores, oil, and debris more quickly than usual, which can lead to an increase in breakouts before things start to improve.
It simply means your skin is working through built-up congestion and clearing it out faster than usual. It's a sign your actives are doing their job.
This is different from a regular breakout or irritation. Here’s how to tell if you’re experiencing purging:
- It usually occurs in areas where you already get breakouts (not in brand-new zones).
- It tends to clear up within 2–4 weeks.
- It's triggered by active ingredients like retinoids, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin A derivatives, or vitamin C. Essentially, ingredients that support faster cell turnover, unclog pores, or detoxify the skin.
If the reaction is happening in new areas or getting worse after 4 weeks, it may be a sign of irritation or that the product isn’t right for your skin.
If you're seeing a few more breakouts than usual after starting your new skin routine, don't panic. This can be part of the purging phase.
So just stay consistent, stay hydrated, and give it a few weeks.
Clearer, calmer skin is often just around the corner. Of course, it can be frustrating as we want results like yesterday, but we must allow our skin the time it needs to heal and soothe.
Hope this helps 💕
Talk soon,
K xx
